Richard Veal

Review from verified client

February, 2024

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

Starting to accumulate wealth and needed advice

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard is a great sounding board, including through some quite significant life events where my wealth decumulated and I needed to replan. He is always approachable, trustworthy, remind me on utilising eg my pension, does not push products on you, and has helped connect me into other services

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

Review from verified client

February, 2024

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

I started working with SJP just over 10 years ago. I needed a trusted advisor who would understand my goals and could not only manage my assets but also guide on how best to prepare for the future.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard is always available at short notice. He remembers what we discussed in earlier calls and has a good view on my situation. So we can go straight to the topic I want to discuss. He provides immediate and thorough feedback and advice. Richard responds to what I want rather than selling more products or services.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, we always conclude our conversation with an action plan which gets executed rather quickly.

What could they have done better?

Nothing, I am very happy with the way we interact today.

Review from verified client

August, 2023

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

I needed clear advice how to streamline my various pension pots and other investments to ensure a good income over my imminent retirement

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Regular discussions on my changing circumstances, inheritance desires and keeping up with world affairs to ensure the income was appropriately invested in the right split (equities/bonds) for my risk appetite.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Due to joint concern over a recent period of overpriced bonds, we decided to lower our exposure to this sector. This one action has saved my a potential big drop in overall performance compared to many passive pension investors who have relied upon pension companies "lifestyling" their investments as they get to pension age. Not always the desired outcome. The active portfolio review was key to that decision.

What could they have done better?

Better tracking of investments over time (ideally in a simple app) in the way that some robo investors are able to present. However, I understand this is in hand, so I will be eager to see the result.

Review from verified client

December, 2022

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

I wanted my savings to be in the right place

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard Veal listens. He gets me. He has a big picture approach and listens to the complexities I have, and knows all the complexities the world brings to our financial worlds. His advice is always grounded in integrity. He is knowledgeable, articulate, clear, approachable, prepared, empathetic, confident, and expert in his financial and emotional intelligence.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing whatsoever

Review from verified client

July, 2022

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

To make my investments more productive to support my career change.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Providing a tailored investment plan and pension plan to support my new career change and retirement

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing at this time of the programme

Review from verified client

March, 2022

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

To make sure the majority of savings were in one place where they could be professionally managed

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard understands my requirements for investing and returns and recommends appropriate strategy without trying to push other products. Overall very happy with the service and investment strategy and Richard is always available to discuss and clarify any concerns.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The planning has helped me to understanding what my overall financial position looks like at a given time and make informed decisions around this.

Review from verified client

November, 2021

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

Earning increases - Wanted to plan for future. Got married Had children

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Reviewed finances, created a plan, changed investment portfolio.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

October, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Richard

I have found Richard to be very knowledgeable, thorough and particularly patient in explaining complex (for me) financial issues in a simple language that i can digest. Would happily recommend

Richard's reply

Thank you for the kind words Demetri. I look forward to continuing our relationship together.

Review from verified client

October, 2021

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

Inheritance and then financial/pension transfer advice as part of divorce proceedings

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Listened to situation and looked at different options. I feel confident that he will continue to help guide me through financial components of divorce. Left zoom session feeling I am in ''safe hands''.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Ongoing!

Review from verified client

October, 2021

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

We wanted to start planning for future financial stability, retirement and to cover our children’s university expenses

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard has been invaluable in supporting my husband and I to assess our financial situation. As a consequence of working with him, he has assisted us in becoming more effective in our future planning. He has a wealth of knowledge and has been patient and approachable in answering all our questions. From the outset we felt we could trust Richard’s opinion and experience. We look forward to continuing to work with him.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Beginning to

Review from verified client

September, 2021

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

Pension planning

How has Richard Veal helped you?

My wife and I have been working with Richard and the Pinnacle team to review our financial plans to retirement. Richard has been able to provide some excellent advice on how to structure things around pensions and other investments, along with impartial advice around additional protection, and other advice around taxation, to allows us to achieve our life goals in retirement. We've really appreciated Richard's attention to detail and openness whilst reviewing what is an incredibly complex financial landscape; Richard has managed to build a trusted relationship that we're looking forward to continuing in the long-term moving forwards. Thanks for all the advice and time you've invested to answer all our questions and give us the confidence in our financial plans for the future.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes so far - received a very comprehensive financial plan that has allowed me to rationalise my existing plans and pensions and also fill some gaps, including essential protection for the family.

What could they have done better?

Nothing really springs to mind - I was extremely pleased from beginning to end.

Richard's reply

Thanks very much for the feedback. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you.

Review from verified client

September, 2021

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

Looking to plan properly for the future once started a family.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Combination of advice, support and guidance in relation to additional saving plans, and analysis of pension holdings vs future needs.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

In uncertain times, i have been given a degree of certainty, with returns ahead of the wider market. So comforting and rewarding.

What could they have done better?

I can only thank Richard for the patience he has shown towards me :)

Richard's reply

Thanks for taking the time out to share your experience. I am looking forward to continuing working with you and helping you to achieve your goals.

Review from verified client

September, 2021

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

I was looking for expert but personal pension advice.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard has provided superb one-2-one service at regular intervals or on request if I hae any questions, update sor concerns. He is always prompt to respond and find solutions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes in the short term but pensions are all about long term.

What could they have done better?

It would have been nice if Richard had been managing my account from the outset and then who knows :-)

Richard's reply

Thanks for the great feedback. It's always a pleasure working with you.

Review from verified client

September, 2021

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

Planning for retirement

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Advise with regard to a balanced and ethical portfolio of pension investments

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Richard has provided excellent quality advice throughout and, as an added bonus, is good company

What could they have done better?

St James’ provides good value for its managed services overall - especially when considering the potential savings through tax efficiency - but it’s always nice to reduce management fees as much as possible!

Richard's reply

Thanks for the review. I am really glad to have been able help and I am looking forward to continuing to do so.