Mark Bastable

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

I had used a large, well known financial advice business based in Bristol for many years and found the customer service, and particularly the fund performance, underwhelming while the costs were overwhelming, wiping out any useful gains year after year but was offered no proactive advice in addressing this.

How has Mark Bastable helped you?

I chose Templegate after managing my mother's estate via a large financial company for many years whose service was consistently underwhelming. Templegate's assessment of the financial position, and implementation of the changeover was quite complex and took quite a while to achieve, but I received a good personal service, thoroughly researched and at a lower cost than the previous company. I look forward to being able to receive personal advice for my mother's changing needs instead of a short annual telephone review that was offered under the previous company.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It's too soon to judge the outcome.

What could they have done better?

The length of time from initial consultation to change over form the previous advisor,

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

I sought an adviser to guide me through the complexities of pension investment and drawdown, and inheritance tax management.

How has Mark Bastable helped you?

I used advice from Templegate Financial Planning to prepare for retirement, move into drawdown, and recently to purchase an annuity. Mark proactively advised me as government legislation changed the financial landscape, making it desirable to reduce the size of my estate. He clearly laid out the various options. When I chose to purchase an annuity, I used his services to select the best provider and set it up. I have found Mark to be proactive, knowledgable and thorough, and his fees to be very reasonable.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I find myself with confidence in pension provision for my wife and I as we live our later decades through an uncertain world.

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

Reached my early 50’s having taken no financial advice, so initially looking for an initial health check on pensions and some investment advice going forward. I was keen to establish a ‘retirement plan’ with a realistic timetable to make some sensible financial decisions.

How has Mark Bastable helped you?

Pension transfers and fund advice. ISA selection and discussion on wider investment choices that are available. Informal advice around tax planning and given me some encouragement to think about IHT planning in years to come.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes definitely. Marks advice has prompted me to finally start to think seriously about a retirement strategy and beyond.

What could they have done better?

Nothing at this stage.

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

The pension field is a nightmare, and to do anything with your pensions you need help from a financial adviser.

How has Mark Bastable helped you?

I have been using Templegate Financial Planning Ltd for investment and pension advice many years. They have just advised and moved several pensions into a drawdown account for me, all the years working and paying pensions are now coming to fruition. There was a lot of research and work in moving the pensions over, Templegate kept me informed and guided me through all the documents needed. The use of a secure portal was used for for all the communiction, so I felt safe throughout the whole process. I trust the advice and impatiality of Templegate Financial Planning Ltd and will continue using their services into the future. Would we recommend using the services of Templegate Financial Planning Ltd? An unreservedly big Yes!!

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We are happy with the advice given and how the products selected are performing very well. The advice and services have met what we needed them to do.

What could they have done better?

We are happy with the service provided, their processes are secure and robust. So I feel safe using Mark. So I don’t know what could have been done better.

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

I was approaching retirement and needed advice about my workplace pension pot.

How has Mark Bastable helped you?

I highly recommend Mark Bastable. After a detailed Financial Review, he patiently explained my pension options and advised me on tax and inheritance implications. All my emails were promptly addressed, and his responses were clear and easy to understand.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Initial outcomes are what I expected.

What could they have done better?

Nothing that I can think of.