Chris Donald

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

September, 2016

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Chris

I felt relaxed and able to have a good discussion with X Chris. He answered all my questions clearly and helped me become more focussed on what I need to do next so that I can be better placed to explore my options.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

September, 2016

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Chris

Fffffffff

Review from verified client

January, 2016

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

Primarily informed by the drive to implement auto enrolment for our workplace pensions which, in turn, highlighted that it was time for a good close review of all aspects of my finances.

How has Chris Donald helped you?

The most striking this is that Chris listened very closely first and then gave his advice and suggestions in clear, careful plain English and in such a way that I felt confident in the options and issues he described. This was the most important thing which Chris Donald did for me; his great reputation and the personal recommendations which I have heard of him were certainly borne out by the way in which he explained every step and its relevance to me.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Chris Donald's recommendations have removed the fear factor for me. In the past, be it with independent third party advice or on occasions when I made my own investigations, there has always been a shadow of uncertainty. This time, I have no such doubts or shadows.

What could they have done better?

No, I feel that Chris's advice and approach were spot on. Speaking comparatively, and I don't think my past experiences have been particularly dreadful, I still don't feel that there is anything that was missed or could have been improved and all of my many questions were answered completely.

Review from verified client

November, 2015

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

Due to the downturn in the oil industry the company that I worked for unfortunately had to reduce their workforce through redundancies. Therefore with my lob at risk I had a choice either take early retirement at 60 or be made redundant and then have to look for employment for the next six years before I reached retirement age.

How has Chris Donald helped you?

He advised me on how best to handle my finances and was extremely helpful explaining what I could do to get the best out of my money if I decided to take early retirement. When I did make the decision to retire early where would probably be the best investment for my money and at what the likely risk would be.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I am currently six weeks into retirement and will not see any benefit until later years.

What could they have done better?

I think that on the answers that I provided I received the best possible advice from my financial adviser.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2015

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Chris

Informative first meeting with helpful advice provided to help me decide which IFA to select

Review from verified client

March, 2015

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Excellent personal service. Really gets to know you first before offering any product solution. Great supportive team.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

How has Chris Donald helped you?

From the outset, Chris impressed us with his professional and friendly manner. With his guidance, we have been able to clarify our financial expectations and priorities. After making a full audit of our finances, he provided us with some excellent options for improving the efficiency of our pensions and savings.

Review from verified client

December, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

As a new client I had excellent advice from Chris Donald. He took a lot of time, including coming to my house, to find out how I could invest in the way I wanted to. I would highly recommend his company.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

December, 2014

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Chris

Very impressed so far

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

November, 2014

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Chris

Clear and helpful advice promptly provided.

Review from verified client

November, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Very efficient, extremely knowledgeable, very thorough and a great personal touch with clients from very different backgrounds

What could they have done better?

I am not sure that I could really suggest any area where improvement required

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

October, 2014

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Chris

Excellent advise.A pleasure to deal with.

Review from verified client

May, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Chris is a good listener and communicator and has spent time getting to know me and my family before offering advice. Chris opens the doors to his close network of trusted contacts and advisors which is invaluable personally and professionally. Chris' expert knowledge of the ever changing financial marketplace continues to help me personally, my family and my business.

Review from verified client

May, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Discusses and explains investments available to suit my requirements.

What could they have done better?

Fully satisfied with advice received.

Review from verified client

May, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

We find Chris takes a personal interest in all our financial affairs and is an exceptional advisor for our needs. Over the years he has helped in various aspects of our lives not only business but personal. We regard him in high esteem and he is always at hand should we need to contact him.

What could they have done better?

We could not suggest anything better, he always renews our portfolio so that it is enhanced to its maximum.

Review from verified client

May, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

In a very busy marketplace Chris and his colleagues have a very good perspective of what is worth considering and what to ignore.

Review from verified client

May, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

One of Chris's great strengths is his ability to listen, and to then provide advice which is directly relevant to his client. His knowledge and experience are, as you would expect, extensive. He and his team exhibit deep understanding of the present market and provide proactive, relevant advice with absolute integrity.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

A measurement of Chris Donald's integrity and credibility as a financial planner can be found in the review and feedback offered by some of his biggest competitors. He has been in the business for many years and realises that treating people with dignity and confidentiality is critical and he is rightly respected and admired by many financial planners with far less experience than Chris. He is a genuine and honest person who offers his clients the best possible service at all times.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Chris and the team at Innovate helped macrobert Arts Centre set up a Group Pension Scheme in advance of our auto enrolment date. The service we received was excellent and professional. Chris worked with every member of staff to ensure individual requirements were met. Innovate are very easy to work with and the implentation of our new pension scheme was very straightforward.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Listens to what my objectives are and gives me a full explanation of the options available to me. Also informs me where there are things I should be understanding better, and where there are new Pension rules.

What could they have done better?

Help me set a clear Goal for total Pension and Investment fund values to meet my financial objectives in retirement

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

The advice that Chris and his firm provides is invaluable on both a personal and corporate level. Chris' expert knowledge of the ever changing financial marketplace sets him apart from other advisers.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Chris Donald has been a trustworthy, reliable and helpful financial adviser whom my husband and I have come to also like immensely.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

We have found Innovate (Chris Donald) to be reliable, helpful, friendly and knowledgable. It has been a pleasure to receive their guidance and advice.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

You cant beat experience and Chris has that in spades. He also has a customer friendly and knowledgable team around him. You know with Chris you are getting the best most honest advice.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Communication is easy, relaxed and very informative. Always available to give advice and recommendations. My portfolio has grown every year on his investment strategies. Have full confidence in his abilities. No hesitation in recommending him to my friends.

What could they have done better?

Nothing that comes to mind.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

I have been a client of Chris Donald's for nearly 10 years. Not only has his advice been excellent for me, but it is a pleasure to meet with him. He is always professional and approachable. He makes the scary things less frightening and over the years has helped me make decisions about difficult things. He and his staff have always prepared extensively for any meeting I've had with him. I would definitely recommend him.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Chris takes the time to meet regulalry and listen to what I feel my needs are and offers sound advice and suggestions. There are regular reviews of strategy and performance of my investments.

What could they have done better?

I am not sure that I can suggest much by way of service improvement but perhaps some sort of online web account that shows investment performance may be a good interim means of checking how things are going in between face to face reviews

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Chris has the slightly unusual knack of seeing things entirely from the perspective of the customer. As a Dierctor of a business which engaged with Chris to deliver advice to all of our staff, we gained fantastic feedback from the staff about how thorough and professional he and his team were. Particularly, in the financial climate of the last few years (when trust is low in anyone suggesting that they know what to do with your money), Chris and the team at Innovate are a breath of fresh air.

What could they have done better?

Introduce me to more of his clients with serious money who really don't know what to do with it...

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Chris has been a trusted financial adviser to me for 14 years. He has always looked out for what is best for me and my family, and my company, first and foremost in any planning or discussions we have had, and has always taken into account all aspects of where we are in our financial situations before making any recommendations to us. His advice, and investment vehicle recommendations, have always delivered an upside to the funds / money we I have placed with him - and he has also given me good advice on use of funds and investments which I wished to make which he felt were not in my best interest. Chris is an honest, genuine Financial Adviser who has always done what is right for me.

What could they have done better?

I genuinely cannot think of anything which Chris and / or his company could do more for me outwith what he currently does.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Chris Donald helped you?

Chris has given me advice for well over 10 years now and I have always found his advice to be both honest and robust. I would not hesitate to recommend his services to anyone considering working with Chris.

What could they have done better?

Play golf !!