Stuart Budgen

Repeat review from verified client

March, 2024

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you since your last review?

Stuart maintained my pension portfolio within the TWP group. I have made significant drawdowns above the recommended limits and the investment has still has more money in the fund that when I started. Exceeded expectations. Stuart is a brilliant advisor.

Repeat review from verified client

February, 2023

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you since your last review?

Provided investment advice.

Review from verified client

April, 2022

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

AT THE TIME OF OUR RETIREMENT WE HAD AN EXCESS FUNDS THAT REQUIRED MORE THAN JUST A SAVINGS INTEREST RATE

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

ARRANGED ALL THE FUNDS INTO ISA ACCOUNTS

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

AS THE FUNDS WERE A ONE OFF WE TOOK A LOW RISK ATTITUDE

What could they have done better?

DON'T KNOW - YOU TELL ME.

Repeat review from verified client

February, 2022

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you since your last review?

Stuart is always helping me with investment advice. He does so with a smile. He never makes me feel that I am bothering him.

Repeat review from verified client

April, 2021

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you since your last review?

Unfortunately with the situation as it has been over the past year it has only been via the phone. Never the less Stuart has always come back with the answers.

Repeat review from verified client

February, 2021

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you since your last review?

A very knowledgeable, friendly adviser who can explain things in plain english

Repeat review from verified client

February, 2021

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you since your last review?

Giving sound advice

Repeat review from verified client

February, 2021

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you since your last review?

Stuart has been helping me for about 10 years. He has been exceptionally helpful with inheritance tax planning.

Repeat review from verified client

February, 2021

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you since your last review?

Regular contact and reviews.

Repeat review from verified client

September, 2020

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you since your last review?

I’ve had some more advice regarding my investments which was helpful as it has obviously been a difficult time in the last 7 months.

Review from verified client

June, 2020

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

It is a requirement for transferring out of a defined benefits pension scheme that full financial advice has been received.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

He provided the in depth fact find report and professional advice that needs to be evidenced by the trustees of the pension scheme. This involved a comprehensive discussion of my financial needs and circumstances leading to the provision of the necessary documentation to facilitate the transaction required.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It is in the hands of the pension trustees.

What could they have done better?

Nothing as far as I'm concrened

Stuart's reply

Hi Clare Thanks very much for your comments and I appreciate your email explaining the scoring which I have added below to provide some context: Hi Stuart, It was my pleasure to provide a review as requested. I have been very happy with the service that you provided and feel most fortunate to have landed one of the ‘good guys’. I did just want to explain the 4* rating under value for money/ worth the spend. This is not intended as a reflection on you but the fact that I feel that GE Pensions (along with all the others) should not be forcing people to spend this amount of money in circumstances like mine. There should in my opinion be the option to sign a disclaimer rather than patronise us all to protect themselves. There was nowhere for me to explain this in the survey so if you want I’d be happy to contact them separately and make this point. Please let me know. All good wishes.

Repeat review from verified client

April, 2020

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you since your last review?

There is not a lot more that I can say. Stuart continues to look after our investment and we both feel that we are getting a good service.

Review from verified client

March, 2020

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

Drawdown transferring out of final salary scheme. Legal obligation. Would have done it anyway.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Took care of the complex paperwork, advised me where to invest

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely. Exceeded expectations by some distance.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. Stuart is brilliant. Very approachable, knowledgeable and explains this complex area very well. I have trusted him with a very important sum of money, and definately not been disappointed.

Stuart's reply

Dear Ray Thank you ever so much for the excellent review. I really appreciate your comments. Our chief investment officer sent me this note on Monday which you may find helpful : "We are trying to assess the reality and hype to see what this actually means for markets and the options available to central banks and governments around the world. Looking at China as the origin of the problem, we can see that the active cases are plummeting and daily new cases have fallen to a minimal levels and would appear now contained. Factories are back up and running with workers largely all back to work. If this is replicated across the world then we should expect 4-6 week effect on most countries and to their GDP. (see charts below) Clearly panic that has gripped financial markets is threatening to create a self-fulling prophesy and this could drive businesses to shed jobs and cut Capex which could lead an already fragile global economy into recession. The key for markets to regain some semblance of confidence is for global governments to plan to contain the virus but also to provide monetary and fiscal support. With the right measures in place we can avoid a global recession and/or a permanent damage to world economies. So many market commentators seem to think that the last bullets have been fired by central banks and governments leading to suggestions that the ‘Fed put’ is dead, however this is far from the truth. Below are a list of measures available to governments • Interest rate cuts - US cut by 50bps and markets forecast further cuts to 0%, European rates to be cut further next week by 10bps, BOE to cut further • Bond buying programs – Governments have the ability to buy corporate bonds to support liquidity and access to capital • Equity buying programs – Japan has adopted a policy of buying Equity ETF’s and other governments could follow if needed • Infrastructure spend – There is a massive opportunity for Governments across the world to use this as an opportunity to finance the re-build of the aging infrastructure through their own bond markets which globally are all under 1% for 30 years. This could provide , employment, further tax and GDP growth to their economies • Payroll tax cut – Provide tax breaks for businesses to help ease the pain • Bank support to small/medium sized businesses – Lloyds announced £2bn this morning for small/medium businesses, Santander offered €20bn for SMEs, expect this to be replicated • Government funding for companies who move workers to part-time – Germany offered to pay the additional salaries of worker who have been forced to part-time • Mortgage relief for consumers – Italy offering mortgage relief and negotiating with banks to postpone all mortgage payments • Capex tax breaks – breaks to encourage expenditure • Helicopter Money – The ultimate - this already happening in Hong Kong, every resident will receive HKS$10,000 in their bank accounts to encourage spending, Japan has done this in the past and is the ultimate available to governments to help economy’s recovery So for the moment we believe the policy gun still has bullets and the market panic does not reflect the reality of the options available or the real impact of Coronavirus. Hold on it’s going to be an interesting ride but we are not seeing the roller-coaster being derailed yet."

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

March, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Stuart

I found Stuart well briefed as to what my needs were - he was clearly well-prepared and had read the material available to him and spoken to his colleagues. This made my interaction more efficient and we were able to quickly focus on what was needed.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

January, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Stuart

Professional, experienced and knowledgeable

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

December, 2019

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Stuart

didn't bother to call, so hard to say anything really

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

November, 2019

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Stuart

Stuart responded very promptly to my enquiry and was able to provide clear and reasoned information in a friendly, professional, unhurried manner.

Review from verified client

September, 2019

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

I need independent advice on how to invest a recent inheritance, especially as I hope to be able to afford to retire before the State pension age

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

He found a suitable investment scheme and also advised me to move my exIsting ISA as that had not achieving the market rate.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It is too early to see. Although personally I am much happier now, as previously I had struggled to make a decision on how to proceed, especially with so much conflicting advice on the internet.

What could they have done better?

It is too early for me to say.

Review from verified client

August, 2019

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

Future financial Planning

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Pensions and investment advice

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Too early to say at the moment

What could they have done better?

Very happy with the service we have received

Review from verified client

April, 2019

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

We first met Stuart about 10 years ago when Kay (my wife) retired she was advised to take a draw down on her pension. At that time we lived in Surrey and in looking for a financial adviser the company that Stuart was with at that time was recommended. When we moved to Devon in 2015 we had surplus funds from the sale of our property in Surrey and in looking for a local financial adviser we were pleasantly surprised to see Stuart's name appear.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

He recommended how we should invest the surplus funds.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We took a cautious view with our investment. Unfortunately the market trends have not been very helpful and although our investment has increased, we were perhaps expecting a more favourable increase.

What could they have done better?

We feel that Stuart did as we requested and did his best for the limited amount of funds available.

Review from verified client

March, 2019

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

Pension advice

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Facilitated pension transfer and investment of transferred funds

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes and dealt with in the very short timescale I had available

What could they have done better?

Can’t think of any ways service could be improved, very satisfied

Review from verified client

March, 2019

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

Transfer of DB pension to Australia

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Review of personal financial objectives and background on implications of specific decisions

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes, very well informed now

What could they have done better?

Great contact and accessability from Australia

Review from verified client

March, 2019

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

I was already happy with drawdown but needed advice on where to invest. I needed confirmation around the drawdown option.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

He confirmed my thoughts around drawdown which was very helpful indeed. He was very approachable and knowledgeable. Stuart helped me think about options. I think we underestimate how much thought we should devote to this. Stuart definitely focused my mind.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Well it's been a rocky road in the markets the last 2 years, and still risky going forward. Stuart helped me balance my views around risk. He said "how much are you prepared to lose". This focuses the mind. I said "50%". My view after 2 years is probably now 20%, and I will review at our next meeting and maybe change the structure (if feasible) into more cash etc... The outcome (if you mean return?) is at the lower end of expectations but I remain positive.

What could they have done better?

Around options of bonds / Cash and Unit trust %. I did say I was looking at low to middle risk, I think I'm in the middle + risk. All the fund went into Janus Henderson (who I do trust). I think more advice about these options would have been useful. I did make it hard for Stuart because I was strict around using ethical funds, so his options were limited.

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

I needed help with my pension

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

He explained the process and arranged everything for me.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

I needed a professional, high quality planner to help advice me on transferring a final salary scheme

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

He explained each step in clear, easy language which I understood.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely. The advice was to transfer one scheme and keep another. Now I'm prepared for retirement with out any income worries.

What could they have done better?

Nothing he could have done any better - great value for money.

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

Dissatisfied with previous FSA

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Better advice and investment planning

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Not yet, still early days

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

I needed financial advice after going from main stream full time employment to freelance

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Stuart helped me set up life and sickness insurance as well as advising me on the appropriate pension scheme

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Very much so. Stuart was efficient , knowledgeable, polite and extremely thorough . I have piece of mind when it comes to my financial future

What could they have done better?

He could have brought with him some cake - strongly recommend he do that next time

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

Planning for retirement - pensions options

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Investigated and valued pensions - models for options for retirement ages, advice on life styling, income protection and savings

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - a plan in place, and actions to bridge from now to retirement - clear report with extra options that really meet my needs

What could they have done better?

None !

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

General financial planning

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Put together a great plan

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

To increase my capital as I got older and preserve my standard of living as I was made redundant at 49 years old.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Stuart knows the market better than me over all these years.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

My wealth has increased, but not by my hand. Once you are out of the loop one must rely on a financial adviser

What could they have done better?

Stopped me doing my own thing and losing money. Maybe my risk was too high. ( with hindsight)

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

I do not understand the options nor the system.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

He gave me good conservative advice and helped me with inheritance planning successfully.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Aside from the recent dip I have done well.

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

Planning for the future. Planning for retirement.

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Talked through options available to me in easy to understand terms.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Too soon to say!

What could they have done better?

I have know financial adviser for many years I have nothing to add at this point.

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

I needed help with a pension transfer and consolidation of pensions

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

Stuart was extremely professional, understood my needs and requirements and helped create a plan for my future

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, and feel confident in the future

What could they have done better?

No, very pleased with the service and would recommend to anyone

Review from verified client

February, 2019

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

When I invest I always take expert advice

How has Stuart Budgen helped you?

All ways available with advice

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

In the main yesI don’t

What could they have done better?

I don’t think he could have offered anything more