Charlie Carter

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

Tax efficient pension and inheritance planning

How has Charlie Carter helped you?

Charlie manages to understand our particular situation and wishes. He seems to be up-to-date with the ever changing tax, pension and investments landscape. His advice includes pros and cons of various options, and he explains things very patiently, clearly and relevant to our unique family constellation and circumstances. As a result we've made decisions that feel optimal at this time. Charlie enters our meetings punctually and very well prepared. When new rules are introduced, Charlie suggests a meeting to flag up implications and possible adjustments. He answers emails swiftly and responds to queries in a clear and thorough manner. I experience him as exceptionally conscientious, professional, patient and kind. I really feel that he has our best interests at heart.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, our investments have gone up. And we have made adjustments to our inheritance plan thanks to Charlie's comprehensive advice. He also helped me understand my pension situation.

What could they have done better?

Nothing as far as I can tell.

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

Already long-term client of the Company .

How has Charlie Carter helped you?

Monitoring our portfolio , suggestions and advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Ongoing

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

Charlie took over relatively recently from his retiring mentor at HelmGodfrey, in turn recommended to us by an old school friend who'd been with them for his full career. As an international, later-life, baby-boomer couple with a relatively complex financial and family history, we'd gathered modest investments and both professional and private pensions somewhat haphazardly over the years, and needed solid advice, organisation and hand-holding to make sure these continue to serve us as, in our mid-70s now, we finally approach the end of our working lives.

How has Charlie Carter helped you?

Charlie has been a more than worthy successor to our previous adviser. Of our children's generation and refreshingly up-to-date and practical about options and ideas in a rapidly-changing financial environment, Charlie is always friendly and just there, with support and grounding for us, answering emails within hours and ever-ready to come online to talk us through what might be best to do. We're still relatively early on this journey together, but my wife and I are both impressed and reassured by Charlie's sensible wisdom and knowledge, and recommend him highly.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

A lot depends of course on the market, and while some of our pension investments bumped along the bottom for longer than we might have hoped, more recently they've been doing much better, and with Charlie's help and transparency, we have a solid idea of where we are. So, so far so good - though proof of the pudding will be in the even later-life consumption. We feel in very safe and trustworthy hands.

What could they have done better?

Honestly, can't fault Charlie at any level. One of our portfolios (Octopus AIM) has turned out to be a bit of a dud, dropping 25% in three years where everything else has picked up nicely, but the recommendation predated Charlie, and his alternative recommendations so far seem pretty solid.

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

I wanted to set up a private pension. I was also keen to make sure that I was protected against financial eventualities, such as health issues and loss of employment.

How has Charlie Carter helped you?

Charlie has helped me to choose the investment strategy that best suits my personal circumstances.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

My investments have performed well over the longer term, whilst seeing the ups and downs that inevitably occur in shorter periods.

What could they have done better?

Perhaps a clear demonstration of how the fees charged for the services provided compare against other companies. You always want to know that you are getting good value for money, and this can be hard to find out unless you know where to look.

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

Setting up my pension

How has Charlie Carter helped you?

He has helped me with my drawdown on my pension and investing in a stocks ISA

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I’ve been very happy with my pension investments

What could they have done better?

No answer