Darren Baker

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2016

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Darren

From our brief conversation it was clear that the services on offer were not for me.

Review from verified client

May, 2016

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Planning for early retirement.

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Took time to understand my current position and plans for the future before offering detailed analysis of financial position enabling me to make decisions objectively about future retirement options.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Comfortable with the recommendations made and that no pressure to enact has been placed on me. The decisions remain mine. I'm now able to move forward with greater confidence.

What could they have done better?

Fully satisfied with services provided and availability of Darren to respond to further questions as they arise.

Review from verified client

May, 2016

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Due to reaching the age of 55.

How has Darren Baker helped you?

He guided me through the mind field of pensions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes & more.

What could they have done better?

He surpassed my expectations.

Review from verified client

May, 2016

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Looking at the my investments and pensions with a view to the future needs of all my family.

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Talked through my needs and aspirations. Looked at what I currently held and helped to consolidate the holdings I had into a more balanced and manageable portfolio which he continues to keep under review.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, a balanced portfolio of investments and pensions held in appropriate and tax efficient products.

Review from verified client

October, 2015

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Private Pension Fund management.

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Amalgamation and planning of portfolio at a level of risk with which I was comfortable.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

After draw down for 4 years fund still virtually the same value!.

What could they have done better?

Darren has always provided full explanations and produced a portfolio that meets my needs. I have no complaints and have now asked him to take over my complete financial planning

Review from verified client

October, 2015

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

having a business.

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren keeps you informed all the time about what he thinks would make your finances work better for each person.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

over the last thirty years we have seen our finances do very well with Darren, .expert advice.

What could they have done better?

in my opinion Darren has done an excellent job for me and I cant think of anything more he could do

Review from verified client

September, 2015

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

My wife and I were retiring and needed advice on our hodge-podge of investments and incomes.

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren has been advising my Mother for about 10 years and turned around her quite unsuitable standard IFA package into a set of investments that not only survived the 2008 crash in good order but has more than sustained her needs over the period. When my wife and I needed proper professional advice we looked at other IFAs and realised that the resource we already had in Darren was so far ahead of them in terms of research, seriousness, management backup and probity that we just hoped he'd stretch a point and take us on as well. The only downside is that he never has anything exciting to report! – but then, that's exactly what we asked him to do.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We have annual reviews with Darren and usually chuck a handful of questions his way during the year.

What could they have done better?

From time to time it would be useful to have a bit more "which means that...." added to the straight factual presentations. And I've always appreciated it when an expert anticipates the questions that I ought to be asking.

Review from verified client

September, 2015

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Planning retirement and a company pension scheme.

How has Darren Baker helped you?

I have known Darren for nearly 20 years and have always found him to be straightforward, giving good unbiased advice and we ahve confidence in his opinions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

Review from verified client

July, 2015

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

As one of us is retired and one thinking about retirement in the next few years, we decided it would be useful to have a review of our finances and make sure we were on track.

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren took the time to explore in detail which points were most important to us for the future. Darren was extremely helpful in getting us to think about and properly understand our attitude to risk. He was very clear in his explanations and patient in answering questions. He was also very clear that he would not be providing a 'crystal ball' with all the answers, but would be giving recommendations to help us make better decisions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We have begun implementing some of Darren's suggestions. It is early yet to comment on performance of investments as it's only been a matter of months, but we are very happy with the quality of advice received and his prompt response to any questions or issues that we have. Overall, we are very pleased to have had his help in making a plan for the future and taking the first steps.

What could they have done better?

We can't think of anything that could have been done better - it has been a really positive experience.

Review from verified client

May, 2015

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren has always been very approachable, diligent, knowledgeable and professional. His approach to investment choices has been refreshingly open and honest, and the proof of the pudding - the performance of the selected portfolio - so far appears to be on track. Definitely recommended.

What could they have done better?

I'm struggling to identify anything that would have made a real difference.

Review from verified client

April, 2015

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Taken the burden of managing our personal portfolio, leaving us to manage our business. Gives regular impartial advice, in language we can understand, and always gives us the option to have more control if we wish.

Review from verified client

April, 2015

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren Baker's service could not be bettered in my opinion. The limits on what I get out of the service are entirely on my side .

What could they have done better?

I doubt there is anything he could do better.He reminds me, politely, to complete the tasks I need to complete in order to progress with my financial plans which are a work in progress at the moment.

Review from verified client

April, 2015

How has Darren Baker helped you?

I found Darren to be friendly, extremely professional and very patient. He has confidence in his services and never goes for the hard sell giving the customer time to size up the best solution.

What could they have done better?

None come to mind

Review from verified client

April, 2015

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren has always been very approachable and willing to answer my questions no matter how many times I ask them! His advice is always clear and easily understandable. He replies to my questions and requests immediately. He keeps me up to date with new legislation. He understands my financial needs and so I am happy to trust his judgement.

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren listens really well and takes the time to understand personal goals. His assement of his clients attitude to risk is the best i have come accross from an advisor and very thorough. He has an excellent knowledge of the products he recommends and keeps in regular contact now the initial part of our investment review is complete.

What could they have done better?

Nothing so far...everything has been excellent

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Darren Baker helped you?

We looked here on VouchedFor for a new IFA when our previous one became less independent. We met two, both of whom came across as excellent at first meeting. We chose Darren specifically because he had a rather different approach than the other one (or indeed our previous one). He is part of a small group who explicitly recognise the truth of much academic research which casts doubt on the performance of stock-pickers. He rejects the idea of paying large fees to "star" fund managers, whose performance may be good just now but is likely not to be over multi-year timescales. As we go along with this philosophy (for which there is plenty of evidence), we preferred his approach of minimising the internal "tax" of high management costs. Of course, time will tell as far as investment performance is concerned. He has paid us ample attention during the process of establishing our new arrangements, though obviously there will be less need for contact once things are set up. His explanations are clear, and at the right level of detail, and he has inspired confidence. He has managed to avoid swamping us with unnecessary paperwork, and we have a straightforward view of our investments which we can call up on the web whenever we want, all in one place. I have no hesitation in recommending Darren.

What could they have done better?

His process for assessing our degree of acceptance/aversion to risk is not yet perfected (but he knows this and is working on it!)

Review from verified client

September, 2013

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren has been advising my Mother for nearly 10 years and turned around her quite unsuitable standard IFA package into a set of investments that not only survived the 2008 crash in good order but has more than sustained her needs over the period. When my wife and I needed proper professional advice we looked at other IFAs and realised that the resource we already had in Darren was so far ahead of them in terms of research, seriousness, management backup and probity that we just hoped he'd stretch a point and take us on as well. The only downside is that he never has anything exciting to report – but then, that's exactly what we asked him to do.

What could they have done better?

From time to time it would be useful to have a bit more "which means that...." added to the straight factual presentations. And I've always appreciated it when an expert anticipates the questions that I ought to be asking.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2013

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Darren

If further advice is required we would not hesitate in using Darren again. He is very knowledgeable and his advice was clear and concise. He has been exceptionally helpful, has answered all of our questions, and has given us sound advice to follow.

Review from verified client

May, 2013

How has Darren Baker helped you?

I have been with Darren since March 2013. I can say that he is very pleasant to deal with and is happy to help with small things like confirming ID for a building society, as well as the big picture. He also found me an annuity with a better rate than I was able to get online. He keeps the jargon to an absolute minimum I like the fact that the portfolio is put together for me as an individual.

What could they have done better?

I can't think of anything at present.

Review from verified client

May, 2013

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Presents himself and recommendations in a friendly and professional manner with various options for consideration, and providing a swift service

What could they have done better?

Nothing - so far

Review from verified client

May, 2013

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Our family has dealt with Darren for over 20 years, he has become a valued and trusted advisor. He offers strong and sound advise and explains everying in laymans terms. Family business's and investments are always delicate and can become quite emotive and controversial. Darren navigates his way through these discussions and listens to everyones concerns before offering sound solutions. He always follows through everything and does what he promises.

What could they have done better?

I don't believe that Darren could do anything better. We would recomend him to anyone, and have done in the past with no concerns. Any new client wishing to invest a large sum of money will enjoy the exposure of a true professional confident that the advice is sound and tailored to there requirments.

Review from verified client

April, 2013

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren has provided us with well balanced and reliable financial advice for well over 10 years. We trust his professional knowledge and value his approach towards ensuring that the advice and recommendations that he makes are best tailored to our individual needs and expectations and are expressed in layman's terms. He is proactive, always honest and flexible in his service offer. We trust and value him implicitly.

Review from verified client

April, 2013

How has Darren Baker helped you?

DARREN IS ALWAYS LOOKING TO IMPROVE OUR INVESTMENTS ON THE STOCK MARKET, WE MEET WITH HIM TWICE A YEAR AT OUR CONVENIENCE

What could they have done better?

WERE VERY SATISFIED

Review from verified client

April, 2013

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren provided expert advice on an open market option for the purchase of an annuity providing helpful comparisions of the options available. He diligently and successfully took on the task of coordinating the complex and lengthy process involved in the transfer of funds from three different pension providers to arrive at the best single payment annuity. Following completion of the annuity arrangement we felt impressed enough with the service provided by Darren we asked him the look into aspects of our then current investment strategy with a well known high street bank. This he did with great skill which in turn helped us to decide to take up his recommendations for a different approach which will not only reduce our costs but give us a more appropriate risk profile. He is a good communicator. He is open to discussion and importantly open about his fees. He listens to clients' comments never departing from agreed instructions and reliably follows through with promised actions.

What could they have done better?

I can think of nothing that Darren could do to improve his servise.

Review from verified client

April, 2013

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Honest straight talking is what I was looking for and was fortunate to meet Darren Baker. He spends the time and effort to really explain things . He keeps me informed in an easy to understand way. It is honestly quite refreshing to meet somebody like Darren who has a total grasp of your situation and genuinly does whatever necessary for your best interests.

What could they have done better?

Nothing really , quite pleased.

Review from verified client

November, 2012

How has Darren Baker helped you?

When I first met Darren (about 6 yeaars ago), my financial affairs were in a complete mess and very fragmented. I was newly retired with a significant drop in income. After lengthy discussion and patient explanations of the 'investment' world, he rationalised my (small) portfolio in the way I wanted, i;e; monies easily accessible, low rsk investment and viewable anytime on-line. He responds to my calls, e-mails and requests very promptly and efficiently: nothing is too much trouble. He has also proved quite a comfort in these volatile and worrying economic times, sending all us clients homiles on-line and even interjecting them with humour! What I value most is that Darren has not only become a valued and trusted advisor, but also a friend.

What could they have done better?

I really don't know how Darren could be better. I do know that he is always attending high-profile meetings, always up to date and networking. I just want him to continue working in this area!

Review from verified client

June, 2012

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Darren's approach is highly individualised: our needs were for simple, clear guidance at every change within our lives. He delivered on every level including a fee scale that left others standing. Darren blew away previous advisers with his clairty, eliminating jargon, building a plan which made logical sense and was flexible enough to absorb fluctuating circumstances. His corporate background makes him an invaluable sounding board for commercial ventures. Darren is unlike any other FA previously encountered and we would not think of considering any alternative adviser.

Review from verified client

May, 2012

How has Darren Baker helped you?

Mr Baker suits our finacial needs well. He is thorough and structures our portfolio after careful consideration of our life style and objectives. Our affairs are constantly monitored and we have face to face meetings twice a year. Mr Baker is attentive and quick to respond to any queries, returning calls promptly. He has up to the minute software which he has tailored to meet our requirements. Annual accounts are provided which are also forwarded direct to our accountant. In all aspects of the market Mr Baker's advice has proved sound and excellent value.

Review from verified client

May, 2012

How has Darren Baker helped you?

How do I spot the next best investment? How do I pick the fund that is going to out perform? For every top performing fund in the Sunday Times there are just as many worst performers - how do I know which to pick? Are the funds with large up-front fees worth investing in and will I miss out if I don't use them? Who has got the latest market tip that is going to make me a fortune? The simple answer is that I don't know and neither does Darren. What Darren provides is a focus on a balanced portfolio, tuned to a level of risk tailored to your circumstances and objectives with investment funds that are not like vampires that drain away the value of your portfolio with high fees. I like that approach and that is why I use Darren as my IFA. I believe I achieved a balanced investment portfolio, at the lowest possible overall cost level, that hopefully ought to provide for my financial objectives without taking unnecessary risks. I gained access to low cost funds and that helped offset the cost of advice. It has been worthwhile in my opinion.