Steve Braidford

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

July, 2023

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

A good experience, Steve and Jenny were very welcoming and friendly, he was very helpful and clear with his advice.

Steve's reply

Thanks for the feedback and i look forward to working with you going forward

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

May, 2023

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

He took the time to fully explain the processes and listen to my needs. He provided options that I had not considered before which in turn has shown me I could have a better future, perhaps retiring earlier.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

November, 2022

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

Professional, informative and knowledgeable.

Steve's reply

thanks for the feedback, it was a pleasure to meet with you and I am looking forward to our next conversation and helping you make the most of your retirement

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2022

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

Steve offered an excellent service. He clearly articulated all the matters we discussed and I left the meeting feeling very clear and supported.

Steve's reply

thanks for the feedback and I look forward to helping you further with your overall financial planning at this stage we have not determined exactly how we can help you and so until i can identify this there will be no charge for our time spend together regards

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

June, 2022

This review was gathered whilst the adviser was at a different firm.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

I’ve only had an initial Teams meeting with Steve, but I am already impressed with him. He has given me ideas and challenged my mindset with regard to retirement and I feel much more positive about the future. Looking forward to our follow up meeting.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

May, 2022

This review was gathered whilst the adviser was at a different firm.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

Steve was recommended by a close friend as I’d been struggling to understand what my options were in terms of financial planning. Steve was friendly, provided some really useful scenarios (with visualizations) to give me an indication of options available to me. Super informative yet simple to understand. I’d highly recommend him.

Steve's reply

Thanks for your feedback and I look forward to working with you and help you maximise your financial plans for the future

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

May, 2022

This review was gathered whilst the adviser was at a different firm.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

Only my first meeting with Steve but I found him approachable, and very generous with his time and knowledge. I feel a lot more confident about the future now.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

February, 2022

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

Took time to understand us, our situation, priorities etc and stimulated meaningful compemplations and discussions

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

November, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

Very good . Open and informative

Steve's reply

It was great to meet with you and I look forward to our next meeting and the opportunity to work with you on your future financial planning

Review from verified client

August, 2021

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

A move back from the Middle East meant we needed a UK advisor to help with our retirement and investment planning

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

He helped us to see how we can enjoy our retirement with the funds we currently have and how to future proof our retirement income and make some sound decisions to help with taxation issues and inheritance tax in the future.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We are at the beginning of this process with Steve but we feel the initial advice we have been given is of great value and will enable us to enjoy our future and feel confident he can steer us in the right direction.

What could they have done better?

N/A

Steve's reply

Thanks for the positive feedback and I look forward to working with you to maximise the opportunities in your retirement!

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

July, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

A genuine interest in me and my family’s future. I was particularly impressed with the professionalism and communication, before and during the visit with a clear potential future journey in place.

Steve's reply

Thanks for your feedback, I am looking forward to our next meeting and helping you build a solid financial plan for you and your family

Review from verified client

June, 2021

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

Reaching 55 and not knowing what to do with my pensions

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

He reviewed my varied investments as well as my current financial position. Consolidated my pensions into 1 much lower cost product. Also some simple tax advice that saved me £10k+ in corporation tax

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, from having 5 separate pensions, all badly performing and out dated, I know have one managed pot that I can easily see and I can see it's growing :)

What could they have done better?

Seen me 10 years earlier !

Steve's reply

Thanks for the feedback and I am very glad that we have been able to help you get a really good understanding of your retirement options and start to maximise your tax savings as well!

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

June, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

What I liked was the non-pushy advice he gave. I never felt as if I was being hurried into any decision, it was a well thought out structured approach that understood my needs and I feel confident that I can work together with Steve to secure the future my family needs.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

April, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

I found Steve to be extremely professional, Knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with, we became acquainted through a third party at a very difficult time for our family and he has sorted out all the problems and made life so much easier, I would not hesitate in recommending Steve and his company to anyone.

Steve's reply

Thanks very much for the feedback. This has been a particularly difficult time for you and your family and I am glad that the help and advice we have offered has been of value.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

March, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

Steve made a great deal of sense. He alerted me to a potential situation where I could reduce my corporation tax liability which my existing IFA hadn't told be about.

Steve's reply

Thanks for the review Julia and glad we were able to make some positive suggestions. Hopefully we will get to work together but either way I wish you every success for your future !

Review from verified client

January, 2021

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

Trustee of family trust

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

General advice and guidance. Now manages my pension.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far, yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing really, great service.

Review from verified client

January, 2021

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

Steve Braidford has been our Financial adviser for many years, from early days of house purchasing and ongoing for any other financial advice. There has always been a plan to invest wisely towards early retirement hence the need to have professional guidance to make the correct decisions.

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

Steve has always provided impartial, accurate and professional advice on all financial matters over the many years I have known him. No matter what the size of the ask, Steve always offers the help I am looking for.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

To date, most definitely, its all on track and plan.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

Steve's reply

Thanks for the review. It has been a pleasure to work with you over many years, and hopefully many more to come!

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

January, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Steve

Steve provided valuable, confidential and trusted advice at a most stressful time in my career following a redundancy. The advice provided has helped me feel secure and was delivered in a most caring and professional manner. I have since been able to make sound decisions that affect my financial future and also make savings I was previously unaware of.

Steve's reply

Thanks for the reply. I am glad I have been able to shine a light on your finances and look forward to working with you over the years to come

Review from verified client

January, 2021

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

The original reason we sought Steve's advice, many years ago now, was to help us to manage our finances including our pensions and mortgage.

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

He has helped and guided us to invest in our future, ensuring we are fully aware of our options and what we need to ensure we have a comfortable retirement. Steve is able to interpret complicated documents and processes so that we are not confused by all the jargon.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely! We are so pleased and grateful for the advice and guidance Steve has given us over the years.

What could they have done better?

I have nothing to add here, Steve's advice has been invaluable.

Steve's reply

Thanks for the review, I am really looking forward to working with you on the next stages of your journey

Review from verified client

January, 2021

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

Pension advice.

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

Steve always explains financial issues in the simplest way that makes it really easy to understand.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

Steve's reply

thanks for the review and I look forward to working with you over the years to come

Review from verified client

January, 2021

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

I had a old pension from when I used to work for a bank and I wanted advice on what it was worth etc.

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

Steve not only explained what the pension was worth, but how it works and how it would help me in my retirement

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes I have. I have a good understanding of the pension but more importantly my overall financial position that has allowed me to reconsider my retirement plans in a more favourable light!

What could they have done better?

Nothing. I have learned a lot of valuable information and feel more comfortable about my overall finances. I also really like the way I can keep track of my finances via Parkgate's website

Review from verified client

January, 2021

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

Although I am a University student, I have a part time job and recently received a small inheritance and I wanted advice on the best way to buy a house in the future.

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

Steve was very patient and explained about the different ways of achieving my goal as well as other financial ideas that I found useful

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely, I didn’t know that there were tax incentives available for saving towards your first house which means I should have more to put down as a deposit that I imagined.

What could they have done better?

Nothing, Steve made everything clear and I’m confident I’m on the right track.

Steve's reply

Thanks for the feedback and I look forward to assisting you as you start what I am sure will be a very successful career

Review from verified client

December, 2020

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

I needed professional advice on my pension and savings to help me plan for the future.

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

Steve has given me excellent advice on how my pension and savings could work for me now and future years.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely, Steve is very professional, friendly and patient. He advised me on options to suit my situation and listened to my queries. He has always made sure I have understood how my pension can work for me and has given me great confidence in my financial future. I can highly recommend him.

What could they have done better?

Nothing! I think Steve has been excellent

Steve's reply

Thanks for the feedback. I look forward to working with you for many years to come

Review from verified client

December, 2020

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

Originally, approximately 20 years ago, a mortgage was required for a property purchase. Subsequently we needed financial planning advice for future retirement, investments, inheritance monies and pension provision.

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

Steve advised us on the most efficient ways to invest our funds and explained in detail all the different options open to us so we were able to make informed decisions. He has also given us help and advice throughout the sale of our house and subsequent purchase and renovation of our retirement home. For me personally he helped with pension advice as a self employed person. Also, he was instrumental in gathering information from two previous employers regarding my pension entitlements. This resulted in a regular pension payment being set up from one employer and a lump sum payment from the second. I was given lots of help and guidance during this process.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, without doubt. Our investments have done well and having retired I am confident that our financial situation is comfortable and assured.

Steve's reply

Thanks for the review, and I look forward to working with you form many years to come

Review from verified client

December, 2020

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

Expert knowledge ans peace of mind

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

Steve has brought clarity and re assurance to me about my financial future

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes and beyond . Steve is as well as my FA a family friend who understands my specific circumstances and choice of life and respects them . He is very creative and has always brought very targeted and specific solutions to suit my needs to

What could they have done better?

Nothing really maybe just communicate staff changes as they occur in a newsletter rather than finding out in a as hoc basis ?

Steve's reply

thanks for the feedback. We are evolving our newsletters to clients and your suggestion of staff updates is something we will definitely consider

Review from verified client

December, 2020

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

Looking to buy an investment property. We needed to consider ways of funding this investment. Since then we needed assistance with inheritance money left to my mother, and my wife and I. I was offered early retirement, which once again provided an opportunity with a cash lump sum. We needed help again with buying my daughter-in-law's house, again as an investment. These are just a few examples of when we have required a financial advisors help.

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

At every stage of our long relationship with Steve Braidford, he has ensured that we and him understood what we wanted moving forward, what options were available and he assisted us through the process. Often there were alternative approaches that we had not thought of. Through his guidance, we have continued to have a clear understanding of our finances, our budgets and plans moving forward.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We have definitely seen the outcomes we wished for. There were times when we were concerned about finances; however, following sessions with Steve, we realised our situation was much better than we thought. Whilst we have not had vast sums to invest, Steve has always dealt with us extremely professionally and in such a personable manner. We have recommended family and friends to use Steve and everyone of them have been fully satisfied with him.

What could they have done better?

Thinking back over many years of our professional relationship, I cannot bring to mind any constructive suggestions for an improved service. My wife and I have never been financially savvy, therefore the assistance we have received has been invaluable.

Steve's reply

Thanks for your feedback, it has been a real pleasure to work with you both over the last 3 decades and hopefully many more years to come

Review from verified client

December, 2020

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

I needed proper advice for my pension

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

Steve met me on various occasions and explained all my options regarding my pension as i was approaching 55 years old

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes totally

What could they have done better?

Nothing at all everything was smooth and highly efficient.

Review from verified client

December, 2020

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

Realised I was a few years a behind on my retirement planning and needed to put things in place

How has Steve Braidford helped you?

Steve was outstanding. At no time did he try and sell me something. His whole approach was (and remains) to focus on my life objectives and to understand all the assets that I have... Then a very logical discussion of of how to optimise or change those assets to deliver the financial objectives that I have for my my remaining work life and retirement years. It is a very refreshing approach but you you do have to be prepared to think about what you really wan, so if you just want to be sold a financial product that you may not even need then Steve is not the man as he is far too conscientious and honest to take that approach.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes totally. I now have a clear idea of my financial plan for the next 40 years - that brings me the peace of mind that I was increasingly missing before I engaged with Steve.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. The way Steve approaches his job is really something that should be standard across the financial advice industry.