Reviewed for

Insurance and Protection ( 1 )

Pensions ( 28 )

Equity Release ( 1 )

Retirement income (annuities, drawdown) ( 11 )

Investments and Savings ( 32 )

Pension Transfers - Non Specialist ( 3 )

Inheritance Planning ( 5 )

Pension Transfers - Specialist ( 1 )

Financial Planning ( 10 )

Financial Mentoring ( 1 )

Reviewers' assets

£500k+ ( 13 )

£200k - £500k ( 10 )

£100k - £200k ( 4 )

£50k - 100k ( 2 )

Client reviews

Review from verified client

March, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Bristol

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

About 14 years ago my wife and I decided we needed some advice on a number of investments and pension plans. We were then in our late 50s and considering our retirement. I had met the founder of Ovation, Chris Budd, and I felt confident in asking him for help.

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian has advised us for over 10 years with our portfolio of investments.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Our portfolio is now straightforward and easy to understand. We are happy with where we are financially.

What could they have done better?

Not much!

Review from verified client

March, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Kent

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

Being ill advised by Coutts I sought a more reliable and recommended financial advisor

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian has helped me consolidate my pensions and ISAs and therefore be able to draw down my investments in a tax efficient way

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I have seen an improvement in the performance of my investments since I transferred to Ovation

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Review from verified client

March, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Hampshire

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

Long time ago setting up a new Partnership based business

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Great advice about pension and ISA's

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

YES, definitely

What could they have done better?

Nothing we are aware of.

Review from verified client

March, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Middlesex

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

Becoming self employed many years ago

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

In all aspects of our financial planning

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

Review from verified client

March, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Bristol

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

I had several pensions and other investments that I wanted reviewed, to see if they were invested in the best way to meet my future needs.

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian has taken the time to really understand what I want to achieve with my investments. He has reviewed my investments and managed them in a way that gives me financial stability. Adrian has also advised on how to access my pensions and plan for the future. He has also communicated with my pension providers on my behalf when there were problems with my pension.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

I am happy with the service I get from Adrian and the team at Ovation.

Review from verified client

March, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Somerset

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

I have been with the Company for many years and don't recollect the initial circumstances.

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

He manages my money according to my wishes.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

Review from verified client

February, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Bristol

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

Looking after investment and savings after my husband past away

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

He has given me good advice

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

Review from verified client

February, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Berkshire

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

Wanting to make our money work harder for us. Wanting to navigate the decision making around early retirement

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

He has listened - foremost. Then he has applied his skill and experience to provide us with informed choices

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, beginning to. Adrian’s guidance has given us the insight that has informed our decision making

What could they have done better?

Genuinely, not a great deal. We have never met in person but because he has listened so well I feel like he knows us, how we are not just who we are, better than ought to be the case after relatively few touch points. He is a very genuine individual and that comes through

Review from verified client

February, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Bristol

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

To provide re assurance to my wife that she was safe in retirement

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Yes it’s been a good experience

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Still getting there

What could they have done better?

The best thing that Adrian said last time is that next time he would come and see us - meeting in person is really appreciated

Review from verified client

February, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Devon

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

Setting up a SIPP with a pension transfer

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Since setting up the SIPP Adrian has always provided excellent advice on the investment portfolio and the use of drawdown options.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing!

Review from verified client

February, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Kent

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

Pending retirement and wishing for a supported pension management strategy

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian has provided clear explanation of the investment strategy and performance, combined with detailed information on long term financial projections

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The service I was looking for has been provided by Ovation

What could they have done better?

Nothing springs to mind

Review from verified client

February, 2024

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

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

The need to set up a SIPP and to look after my pension plans

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Always available, knowledgeable about my needs and enquiries.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, all handled well

What could they have done better?

.

Review from verified client

August, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

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

Pension advice.

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Overall review.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Approaching retirement - Planning finances.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Always available to answer questions and readily sorts out problems I may have

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Somerset

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

We greatly value Adrian's annual reviews., They give us the assurance we are in good hands.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Avon

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Good at listening and then developing well considered advice

What could they have done better?

No suggestions

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Avon

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Keeps in regular contact and provides clear and concise advice. Our portfolio has done really well under him.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Dorset

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

We are able to understand everything that Adrian says. This is incredibly important because financial people can use jargon and leave you feeling unclear. Adrian tailors his advice to our circumstances and we are able to remember and understand what he has advised on long after the meeting has finished. This is empowering and makes us feel in charge of our own finances.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Outside UK

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian understands my financial situation, the amount of risk that I am prepared to accept. He explains very patiently and clearly his recommendations and there tax implications. He reacts quickly to enquiries and he has a back up team that ensures that I am kept up to date and to deal with any emergency enquiries that I may have if he is not available.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Gloucestershire

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Excellent!

What could they have done better?

None

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Avon

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

He is always well prepared and listens, thinks and acts.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Somerset

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian explains our financial situation in a thorough, interesting but simple way. We feel safe in his hands. He is approachable and replies to queries promptly. He always has time for us.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Isle of Wight

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian listens well and provides us with a very effective sounding board for our investment ideas and plans. He very effectively fills in the gaps in our knowledge.

What could they have done better?

I cannot think of anything. What we are looking for is an opportunity of discuss ideas and balance risk and return - Adrian's expertise makes this possible. As none of us can actually predict the future, there is nothing more that can be done.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Devon

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian is always quick to respond to any question I have and I cannot think of anyone who can answer them better.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Hampshire

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian makes a complicated subject easily understandable and therefore easier to make decisions.

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Avon

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Understanding us and our needs and wishes. Reviewing our portfolio to check it still meets our needs. Writing to us promptly after meetings summarising the points and actions. Following through on actions. Responding to occasional one-off questions by phone.

What could they have done better?

Charging is opaque! To work out how much we are paying in total the way of fees, management charges, unit charges and so on - I don't even know what all the charges are - is impossible. I feel that the 1% pa fee on total portfolio value is a crude way to determine price and the fee has no link with our perception of customer value. I feel that we could get a similar service at lower cost by going elsewhere.

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in London

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian keeps in constant contact with me, he readily reminds me when I have failed to respond to his queries woith good humour. His advice has been excellent and is delivered in a businesslike, non patronising way.

What could they have done better?

Sadly, I think the only thing he could do better is chase me harder !!!

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Somerset

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Can't fault Ovation. They're everything you'd want your IFA to be, and more.

What could they have done better?

Nothing really? Maybe ditch the interest in cricket to appear more human :o)

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Somerset

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian and all the Ovation Finance staff go out of their way to help with even the smallest query at any time.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Somerset

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian is personable, authentic and well qualified to advise me; a human being who takes the time to understand me and my circumstances as well as an experienced financial expert. What I really like is that I feel that he 'gets' me and that we have a strong relationship that doesn't feel like 'client' and 'supplier'. He, and his firm, are a breath of fresh air in a field that is competitive and commercial. I've never had to wait more than a couple of hours for him to respond and the level of service is exemplary. He's backed up by a great team which gives him the authority to do what he does best.

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Somerset

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

The whole team at Ovation are very approachable when I go them with an issue, and resolve it speedily and efficiently. They are also proactive when dealing with changes in the market, and won't necessarily wait until the annual review to suggest any changes which might be beneficial. I really feel that they are in my corner and have my best interests very much at heart.

What could they have done better?

Honestly, there is nothing I can think of. I am very happy with the service they provide.

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Avon

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Makes me review my personal finances at least once a year and discusses options resulting from changes to rules or my circumstances during the year

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Avon

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Adrian is friendly, approachable and available when required. He listens to what we believe we require of an advisor whilst also making us aware of what he has to offer. He explains clearly the options available to us and works with us to help maximise the return on our investments within the risk levels that we are comfortable with. We are vey happy and comfortable dealing with him.

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Avon

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Understanding me and my family's situation and tailoring advice accordingly. Recently provided me with specific service relating to an insurance policy that proved very helpful and beyond what might be considered normal service.

What could they have done better?

Whilst we pick up changes to my portfolio at the annual review time it might be useful to propose changes as and when they are considered appropriate.

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Lancashire

How has Adrian Kidd helped you?

Very comprehensive, and well rounded service delivered in a way which engenders confidence in my financial position and trust in my adviser.