Tim Embleton

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Tim

Excellent initial meeting

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

I was considering converting my Defined Benefits pension into a SIPP

How has Tim Embleton helped you?

Tim provided a detailed risk analysis of the proposal and future financial plan.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Analysis was clear & easy to understand.

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

Normal situation: having worked decades for several companies I had a few legacy pensions, a current pension, stakeholder pension and some savings. My brief to Tim was simple: was it possible to take early retirement and provide a modest pension to top up my state pension when I receive it several years in the future? Added to this: did it make sense to amalgamate the disparate pensions I had into one? I had contacted three IFAs before Tim; one recommended by a friend, two I found on Vouched For. One IFA (from Vouched For) did not even reply to my initial contact. The other two were of a large size, but I found them impersonal, almost arrogant, and seemed only to regard me as a cash cow. One fobbed me off on to a junior staff member, who would take up to three weeks to reply to an email.

How has Tim Embleton helped you?

Firstly, Tim was the only IFA who, in the initial interview, explained all the pension income routes open to me; drawing diagrams to illustrate. Granted, this information was readily available (e.g. on the Government's pension site), but only Tim took the time to explain it all. Secondly, Tim managed a small focused team, which treated customers as individuals; most of whom are bemused and confused by this whole financial business.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Amalgamating the pensions made sense; one was so old as to be quite obscure. Consolidating the pensions and savings was handled by Matt and other office staff. This was no trivial task and well worth the fee I paid. Tim also suggested how, via judicious use of UFPLS withdrawals from the consolidated pension, I could bridge the gap between retiring and drawing my state pension. This has worked well, and a simple email is all that is required to trigger a yearly withdrawal. Most important for me was the responsiveness of both Tim and Matt; answering my emails quickly. A word of caution: one has to be reasonable. The team are building the business and maintaining existing clients, therefore they can't answer immediately; which seems to be the demands of certain people in this modern era of instant gratification.

What could they have done better?

In the end I think it took over a year for me to settle on Tim, as the team worked well and cohesively and treated me as an individual if somewhat baffled at times. Occasionally information between team members would fall between the cracks i.e. communication could be tightened up. However, I have seen this so frequently in my decades of work, plus it has to be said, the team were (at the time) moving offices, whilst trying to build and maintain the business.

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

Pension withdrawal

How has Tim Embleton helped you?

Provided sound and reasonable advice. No pressure. Have time to consider a variety options. Matched recommendations to my circumstances.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, although market conditions over the last 6 months have been challenging.

What could they have done better?

Difficult to say on basis this is my first experience. He has removed some 'worry'. I guess with me, personally, on occasions he could be a little more definitive/forthright in his advice rather than just present options.

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

Being made redundant, i needed to get good impartial advice about my investments & pension.

How has Tim Embleton helped you?

He was able to recommend investments based on my attitude to risk and explained it in simple clear terms.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Overall yes they are going in the right direction for me.

What could they have done better?

Tim's approach & attitude suits me as he's there if I need advice, not constantly pushing services on me and ensures an annual review.