John Ward

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2018

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with John

John contacted me promptly. He was professional, knowledgeable and helpful.

Review from verified client

August, 2018

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

I felt that the company I was investing in for my future/retirement was giving me a low return and so searched the internet for a better solution. John answered my ad and I have now had several very useful meetings with me.

How has John Ward helped you?

John discussed with me what I was hoping for in my investments, explained my options in a way that I could understand and was very patient with me while I was thinking over how I would like to proceed.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I am very pleased with the return I have gained on my investments so far.

What could they have done better?

I have no suggestions for improvements - I was very happy with the service I received.

Review from verified client

July, 2018

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

Primarily my pensions. Was recently divorced and needed to take stock and a fresh pair of competent eyes was what I needed.

How has John Ward helped you?

He produced plans and recommendations for a balanced investment portfolio.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I am more interested in the long term - but we have made significant short term gains, which was an amazing bonus!.

What could they have done better?

Too early to say - Perhaps and stronger brand of coffee would be more to my taste :0)

Review from verified client

July, 2018

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

Needed someone to assess my pensions that I have accumulated over my working career and give the best advice on whether I should keep with, consolidate or move them. Not being the most financially savvy person, I needed someone who would take time to explain things in a way I could understand allowing me to make an informed choice. I found John both approachable and eager to help and based upon my experience to date, a pleasure to deal with.

How has John Ward helped you?

John took 30+ years of pension documentation and filtered it down to the key documents, he then compared them to other products on the market and clearly explained my options with the pros & cons of each.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It is early days but based upon my experience so far I’m confident the results will be forth coming.

What could they have done better?

At this stage John has covered all my requirements and more so I cannot think of any ways the service could be improved. The final proof of his service will be in the growth of my portfolio over the coming years.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

April, 2018

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with John

Very helpful, honest feedback from him.

Review from verified client

December, 2017

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

My wife and I have a number of business's and also have a growing family so we were looking for advice and some one we could work with long term.

How has John Ward helped you?

He helped with pension advice and investment, also mortgage optimisation,.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

very much so John has been exceptional and always helpful.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

November, 2017

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with John

Courteous, knowledgable, professional and measured We were relieved to find positive solutions to our concerns, we have been anxious regarding how to proceed with our overall retirement investments both properties and pensions so it was encouraging to find reassureance and have renewed confidence

Review from verified client

November, 2017

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

Prompted by having to make a decision re accepting a compensation package from a financial institution as a result of bad investment advice.

How has John Ward helped you?

I felt that John understood my needs; he rightly assessed risk I was willing to take regarding reinvestment and most importantly broke the information down in an accessible way.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

John's assessment concurred well with the level of risk I was willing to take at the beginning and also at a recent review when I was less risk averse and asked for another product to be considered.

What could they have done better?

I'm not sure what he could have done better as I found him very patient and understanding - repeating things when asked so as to afford an understanding. Summarising and checking my understanding was important to me.

Review from verified client

November, 2017

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

Advice & help with existing pension and starting a new pension and overall financial planning.

How has John Ward helped you?

Financial planning & advice, recommendations for new pension and total pension review.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, new pension has made a good growth and good advice all round.

Review from verified client

November, 2017

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

I needed to take out a mortgage on a property purchase and also a second on a buy to let. I also wanted to take out a new pension and move my existing pension pots which were under performing and look at inheritance tax planning.

How has John Ward helped you?

John found me some excellent mortgages and explained all the options clearly in laymans language so I could make an informed choice on the best product for me. He went out of his way to fill in all the forms and visit me at home (as my partner was ill) and made the whole process as stress free as possible. John also opened a new pension scheme for me and found an excellent alternative to move existing, fragmented, pension pots under one scheme.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I am more than pleased with the outcome. The pension is delivering 2-3 times the growth of the old provider.

What could they have done better?

John took on board my inputs and outlook of risk and presented all my options clearly. All costs were explained and the admin and hassle was reduced to an absolute minimum. He met me at a time suitable to me and there is very little John could of done to improve his service.

Review from verified client

November, 2017

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

Life insurance for business.

How has John Ward helped you?

By giving sound, easy to understand advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The products suited our needs.

Review from verified client

October, 2017

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

I was approaching pension age and wanted to ensure that I obtained the best return from my personal pension and other investments.

How has John Ward helped you?

John understood my needs, suggested appropriate courses of action and explained everything fully.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I was happy with John's recommendations. I haven't fully retired yet, but the course John recommended appears to be well on track to provide a good pension.

What could they have done better?

Can't think of anything at present

Review from verified client

October, 2017

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

Re-mortgage of a buy to let property.

How has John Ward helped you?

Found reasonable funding.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

Review from verified client

October, 2017

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

Needed pension advice to move some old pensions and create a flexible pension platform.

How has John Ward helped you?

Understood the specifics pension terms and what was possible, went through the risks and outlined options moving forwards which offered the required flexibility and value for money.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, though its an ongoing process.

What could they have done better?

Difficult as one of the current providers was particularly obstructive and slow in responding, then sold their pension assets whilst providing the valuations - which frustrated both John and myself

Review from verified client

October, 2017

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

I was concerned that my pension investment would be affected following the Brexit result.

How has John Ward helped you?

John understood my concerns and advised me to place my pension in a less volatile investment.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. The investment returns began to show less volatility.

What could they have done better?

On this occasion John provided me with helpful advice.

Review from verified client

October, 2017

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

Moved house to a new area, not happy with advice and investment plan from previous adviser.

How has John Ward helped you?

New overall plan, simplified and consolidated investments.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Review from verified client

October, 2017

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

I needed a pension review and my previous IFA had retired.

How has John Ward helped you?

John did a thorough review or our current circumstances and investment position and came back with a comprehensive review that made sense for us. He also reviewed our mortgage as part of the process and found us a much better deal than our current one.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, our annual charges are now significantly lower and our pension is easier to review and manage. We have also seen good growth in the last year so his advice was sound.

Review from verified client

October, 2017

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

Redundancy.

How has John Ward helped you?

John reviewed my private pension status. (several private pensions spread across a couple of pension providers). He helped consolidate my pension pot and also sorted out the 25% "tax-free" element.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

John reviewed my private pension status. (several private pensions spread across a couple of pension providers). He helped consolidate my pension pot and also sorted out the 25% "tax-free" element.

What could they have done better?

John has been very helpful and open in our discussions.