Brian Benson

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

July, 2016

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Brian

Very helpfull

Review from verified client

September, 2015

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

We were unhappy with the level of expertise that our previous financial adviser was showing a few years ago, albeit when the financial market was having a difficult time, and we were recommended to Crown Wealth by a accountant friend of ours .

How has Brian Benson helped you?

After our initial meeting when our personal circumstances were discussed fully our portfolio was changed and we now have a range of investments which suit us at this period of our lives.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Now retired we require financial planning as well as investment growth and Brian and his team have provided the expertise we were looking for.

What could they have done better?

Because we have only been with Crown Management for about 2 years it is still early days but to date we have every confidence that Brian and his team are doing what we expect of them .

Review from verified client

September, 2015

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

Transfer of a company pension plan fund.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Brian & his team arranged the transfer & sought the best fit fund managers & investment portfolio's to meet the requirements that I had discussed with them.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

As I have now reached the age of 50 I have now moved my investment portfolio to a less risk based investment strategy. Brian & his team made all the arrangements & effected the change with the usual seem-less efficiency.

What could they have done better?

To date my experience of CWM has always been that of prompt, efficient service.

Review from verified client

September, 2015

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

Savings and investment advice initial discussion and overview. Establishment of professional adviser for the purposes of future continuity.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

By listening thoughtfully to my exposition of our asset wealth position and offering positive comments where he felt these would be helpful constructive and apposite to our discussion.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

At this stage I required only an introductory discussion as I myself manage investment in my Hargreaves Lansdown SIPP and our own private non retirement fund investments and hope for the foreseeable future to continue doing so. My wife whilst fully appraised of and in agreement with the aims and structure of my investment policy does not wish to participate in the decision making and will require advice from Crown Management in the event of my death or mental incapacity.

What could they have done better?

The content of the two initial discussions we have had with our financial adviser to date was entirely consistent with and adequate to satisfy the limited objectives we currently have in mind in consulting him and will have provided him with a summary of our financial resource position at the present time. It is intended this will be updated on an annual basis so that should more detailed or specific advice be required in the future he will be able to ascertain the then current position without undue difficulty or extensive further enquiry.

Review from verified client

September, 2015

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

I had been without an adviser for several years.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Brian chose a pension product appropriate for me by asking me to complete a risk questionnaire. I also found him, and do so on an ongoing basis, to be very clear with his explanations of how pension products operate. and very clear with his explanations of his firm's costs.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

My fund has grown by an average of 10% p.a. since Brian started advising me in 2009. I am very happy with that !.

What could they have done better?

I really cannot fault Brian on anything. The thing I like about him the most is his sincerity in wanting to do the best for his client rather than the best for his firm.

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

I had inherited some money and wanted it placed sensibly.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Sound advice which I felt took into consideration my personal requirements.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

what do you mean by current circumstances? personal/professional/ financial?.

What could they have done better?

i am happy with the advice I received

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

On retirement, I needed sound professional financial advice to maximise the return from my pension fund.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Brian explained the pros and cons of an annuity route versus an investment route which helped us to chose the route which we believed was best for us.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

To date, we are very satisfied with our current situation. The outcome, so far, has been very much in line with our chosen risk profile.

What could they have done better?

At present, we cannot think of anything in particular that Brian could have done better. However, we are very comfortable in the knowledge that if anything should arise in the future we would have no hesitation in discussing it with him. He is very approachable and ready to meet when necessary.

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

We were looking to retire from our businessseveral years ago, needed advice and were most impressed by Brian when we met him at a seminar arranged by our bank.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Advice on investments, inheritance tax and pensions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, Brian has always given us excellent help through some difficult times and we are in a good financial situation now because of him.

What could they have done better?

I am afraid I am unable to think of anything

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

We sought expert advice regarding pension plans, particularly in view of some of the recent regulatory changes and the complex rules that now apply.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Brian gave us a lot of useful advice and then identified a suitable plan , having carefully listened to our requirements.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We have now signed up to a pension plan that we expect to perform well,and which was based on our specific requirements.

What could they have done better?

We cannot identify anything in this regard. We felt that Brian understood what we needed and got on with identifying a plan that met our needs.

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

money received on death of husband.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Brian's financial advice was and is excellent. Brian's professionalism yet depth of understanding of someone in my situation, newly widowed and in turmoil was incredible and helped me far more than just financially.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

retired, widowed but in control. I have seen the outcome I hoped for.

What could they have done better?

Brian was excellent, very astute. I don't think Brian could or needs to improve in my situation.

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

On the occasion of our marriage, in 2007, my husband and I decided to seek advise on merging our finances.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Obtained pension projections, gave us options to consider. Brian was very helpful when my husband died very suddenly in 2014. He gave advice on his pensions and enabled me to make decisions which will hopefully secure my future.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Too early to say, as I'm some way from retirement myself. However, Brian does offer regular reviews with the opportunity to change investments etc. He is also responsive to an email seeking clarification.

What could they have done better?

I was interested in the benefits of investing in social finance instruments, the return which could be gained and the. tax relief which results. I thought this would enable me to spread my investments, with the opportunity to gain a return higher than that seen in bank accounts. I think it would be useful from Crown Wealth to have a view of say Funding Circle for example.

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

Required inheritance to be invested.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Brian offered me trustworthy advice in a clear manner.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I have been generally satisfied with the level of growth in the investment.

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

I have neither the expertise nor time to maximise my investment opportunities. To seek professional advice was the best option for my wife and for me.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Brian reviewed our combined and separate assets and devised a series of investment options for our appraisal and action.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Liquid assets have grown well so far. The current Chinese crisis is obviously of concern in the short term.

What could they have done better?

An investment platform was selected. The method of data presentation did not meet my requirements. Brian and his colleague, Matthew Clegg, have done their best to provide convergence of data presentation.

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

I needed to trust someone that would listen to my needs and ensure that the decisions made were the right ones for my long term objectives.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Brian took the time to personally review all my financial matters, including my business operations and properties. Brian was then able to forecast my future in order to meet my personal objectives and wealth.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes indeed, I have regular meetings with Brian and his team and so far my objectives are on target, not only that Brian talked me through the company pension schemes and advised me accordingly in terms of setting up the group company pension scheme.

What could they have done better?

This is a difficult question to answer and the fact that I have to try and think of some constructive criticism suggests to me that I am more than happy with the services provided by Crown Wealth Management.

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

TO MAXIMISE THE MOST OF COMMERCIAL PROEPRTY INVESTMENT.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

EXPLAINED IN LAYMAN'S TERMS THE TAX BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSALS AND ALSO THE DISADVANTAGES OF DOING NOTHING AND WHILST TAKING INTO ACCOUNT MY PERSONAL AVERSION TO FINANCIAL RISK.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

PROJECT COMPLETED AS EXPECTED.

Review from verified client

August, 2015

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

I had a couple of pensions, which I wanted to combine. Having researched local financial advisors, it became clear Crown Wealth and Brian were highly recommended.

How has Brian Benson helped you?

Brian listened to what I was looking for and then made a solid recommendation. Once agreed everything was implemented as and when he said it would be.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I am seeing growth over and above what was forecast and more importantly above my expectations. I am more than happy with the service and regular updates provided.