Michelle Gibbs

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

I have been with this firm which was founded by one of my oldest friends since I took out life insurance over 50 years ago.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

She has continued providing advice to me in a way that has produced good results.

What could they have done better?

The results have been satisfactory. It is impossible for me to judge whether they could have been significantly better.

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

In the early years, it was to obtain advice on long-term financial planning, namely capital accumulation and getting the best returns on savings with an acceptable level of risk. In recent years, it has been to obtain advice on protecting the spending power of savings.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I have been very pleased with the advice I have been given and the returns I have achieved as a result. With Michelle, I continue to monitor my funds and will shortly be asking for her advice on a particular matter that has recently occurred and on which I am confident of a good outcome.

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle has fully understood my financial situation, my long-term spending plans, my concerns regarding the effect of inflation on my savings, the level of risk I am willing to accept and has recommended suitable funds to invest in. Notwithstanding the current state of the financial markets, the UK and other economies, I have been satisfied that her advice has been well-founded.

What could they have done better?

Nothing comes to mind at this time.

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

Mortgage advice and long term planning

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Helping us regroup our pensions for the future

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

Future planning

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Yes

What could they have done better?

n/a

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

I required advise on my pension before I retired

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Listened to our requirements; Explained clearly and patiently what options we had including some of the technical issues/requirements

What could they have done better?

The administration should be done in a more timely manner. Anticipate trigger points

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

Planning for retirement was outside my area of knowledge and I needed expert advice

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I’ve been very satisfied with the way I’ve been guided through the 10+ years since I retired

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

I’m not in a position to offer any comparative assessment of her performance but I’m very comfortable with Michelle’s advice. More importantly she has a calm, reassuring manner and I recognise that if there’s something I need to know, or consider, as a result of any legislative changes, Michelle will be in touch

What could they have done better?

I’m happy with the professional and personable service I’m receiving

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

Pension Sharing Order made on divorce and the need to start up a SIPP with the funds transferred

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes but advice and guidance is ongoing

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle has been a knowledgeable and helpful intermediary between me and my pension provider and administrator

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

Retiring from NHS in 2015

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Explaining & advising on suitable investments for my level of need & attitude to risk

What could they have done better?

Difficult to say!

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

Dealing with inheritance after death of husband

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes definitely

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Explained clearly to me where to invest money for the best outcome for me & my family

What could they have done better?

Maybe to be in touch a bit more

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

Very long term relationship with the company, which included advice on pensions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle Gibbs took over my portfolio as previous advisers retired.

What could they have done better?

Whilst a major annual review is done thoroughly, I would appreciate a quarterly telephone call.

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

Needing advice on what to do with self-employed earnings

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Don't know - theirs is not my profession

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

Looking for a new personal pension, wanting to get a better understanding of my financial situation

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Set up new personal pension and investment ISA according to my risk profile, clearly explains everything, monitors changes and makes recommendations for action. I am now confident that I have a plan in place for the future.

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

I needed professional advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

As I would have expected.

What could they have done better?

N/a

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

I was self-employed and I needed help to plan and manage investments to ensure a comfortable retirement.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle has proved to be a steady, considered advisor making sure that we retained a clear idea of the pros and cons of investing and has been attentive to the slightly divergent attitudes my wife and I have towards risk and through her up-to-date knowledge of the market has helped to guide us through some national and international difficult financial periods.

What could they have done better?

I cannot offer an opinion here.

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

The need for professional advice on retirement planning and income

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle has given good and balanced advice over a number of years

What could they have done better?

Would have preferred more face to face meetings although understand the difficult circumstances over recent years.

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

The need to build up a pension pot

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Not 100% but I still have a way to go before retiring

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Good, honest advice. Always happy to help and explain.

What could they have done better?

Maybe more frequent check ins. For example, I am not sure how the current global pressures are affecting my pension and retirement plans.

Review from verified client

February, 2023

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

Need to invest for future pension.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Friendly, helpful, trusted

Review from verified client

January, 2023

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

I needed professional input regarding several aspects of my financial affairs. Why? I have very little experience in these matters.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely.

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

She informs, explains, clarifies, and her advice always makes me aware of how impressive and in-depth her knowledge is and she is always so helpful, efficient, on top of all topical matters, in both a professional and humane way.

What could they have done better?

She excels and her standards remain high so there is nothing that she could have done better.

Review from verified client

January, 2023

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

When setting up my own business I needed advice on pension planning. This later developed into a wider range of services. We later set up a family owned company and as that developed we needed more complex pension planning services

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Initially Michelle joined an advisory team with particular reference to pension planning for myself and later for the family company (with employees exceeding 100 and later 200). She later took on wider responsibilities for both my personal pension investments and the pension arrangements for employees of the family company. Later some substantial financial resources became available to my wife and Michelle has acted as financial adviser to my wife in connection with the investment and management of these resources. I have received dividend income from the family company and Michelle has advised on the investment and management of this

What could they have done better?

I have no reason to think that over the years this could have been done better.

Review from verified client

January, 2023

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

We were with Helm Godfrey prior to Michelle becoming our adviser.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Given Brexit, Covid and the Ukraine war I don't think anyone could predicted an outcome, we need another decade to answer this question I think.

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Kept us up to date with our standing and advised further steps to protect us, make us more stable.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Review from verified client

January, 2023

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

I needed one

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle has guided me through my current financial status

What could they have done better?

nothing

Review from verified client

January, 2023

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

I have always had a financial advisor since I started my career. Michelle has been my advisor for several years now.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. I find Michelle approachable, knowledgeable and understanding of my situation.

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Ongoing help optimising my pension portfolio and explaining my options as I started retirement. She also arranged to help me update my will following my divorce.

What could they have done better?

I can't think of anything.

Review from verified client

January, 2023

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

Have known Michelle for nearly 20 years, working originally with Bruce Wilson who sorted out my pensions into a SIPP. Michelle took over my account when Bruce retired and has continued to support me a financial advisor and planner. I have already recommended her to others without hesitation.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, so far very well.

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Yes, Michelle responds well to my questions and uses her expertise to feed in really good solutions.

What could they have done better?

Can't think of any

Review from verified client

January, 2023

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

I was referred by a previous pensions advisor

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

By careful explanation of the choices for planning investment and by regular reviews

What could they have done better?

no comment

Review from verified client

January, 2023

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

Some time ago I had three pensions from three different sources and I wanted to amalgamate these. Since then Michelle has provided honest and valuable advice as to how my pension pot should be managed

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle has optimised my return each year and provided reports with face to face meetings to discuss these reports. She has also helped me draw on some of my pension pot when I needed the money.

What could they have done better?

The only thing that may be useful is to dumb down some of the reports in the meeting, but overall I have been able to understand them. As a person with a high degree in Maths, I am able to get behind some of the jargon or explanations, but it require a fair bit of work on my part still.It would be good if Michelle and/or her team could find other ways of explaining some of the financial explanations of my account.

Review from verified client

January, 2023

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

Making private pension contributions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Her advice, regular meetings and professional approach make me feel I am in the best possible pension situation.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

Review from verified client

January, 2023

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

Advised to

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Difficult times but overall reasonable

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Been a very good financial advisor and very helpful.

What could they have done better?

The price increased a few year back and the service is the same. Having said that they align well with other advisors

Review from verified client

June, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

I needed one. She was clear and competent.

Review from verified client

May, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

We have been with Helm Godfrey for many, many years and Michelle has always been helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. She has answered our questions enthusiastically with sound advice and is always happy to meet with us should we have any queries or concerns or offer advice by email. She can arrange reviews as often or as infrequently as required, has a good strong team and associations with all the large financial institutions, as well as some of the smaller ones.

Review from verified client

May, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Very helpful in all ways

What could they have done better?

Nothing. Happy with all events

Review from verified client

April, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle has been our financial advisor for some years now. Her manner has always been calm and considerate, explaining her advice in great detail and taking the time to speak to us personally at least every 6 months and whenever we feel the need. On occasions when we have been nervous about market investments, Michelle has made considerable efforts to explain and clarify the benefits of her advice against an alternative investment option. However Michelle has always given us the opportunity to make our own decision if we so wished. We have always followed Michelle's advice and our portfolio has profited as a result. I have every confidence in Michelle and am happy to recommend her invaluable service.

What could they have done better?

I am at a loss to find anything that Michellle could do better.

Review from verified client

April, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Shows a good understanding of this client's needs and is able to provide relevant, focused information on which to base decisions; backed by good record-keeping and speedy responses to follow-up enquiries.

Review from verified client

April, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle has always responded with helpful and constructive advice. In particular I believe that Michelle ensures the most tax efficient annual drawdown from my pension. I also find the annual breakdown of both taxable and non taxable income drawn down from my pension to be most helpful

Review from verified client

April, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Very approachable, sound advice provided in a straightforward manner, good follow through.

Review from verified client

April, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle listens carefully and responds sensitively and responsibly to our changing situation.

Review from verified client

March, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

I have found our discussions clear and any advice easy to follow and to act on. Our meetings follow on with minutes which review our discussions and make it easy to pick up on actions

What could they have done better?

I would like the information about my investments to be provided at a lower level. Perhaps a report on each investment in Michelle's own words rather than just looking at graphs that have been produced by a pc. It would also be good to hear an update every 3-6 months rather than just once a year

Review from verified client

March, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

As I live in Scotland, I only meet up with Michelle Gibbs once a year face-to-face, but we email or speak on the phone whenever necessary. MG started taking care of my finances when I was at a very difficult time in my life, & to know that my money/investments/annuity arrangements etc were all in such capable hands was a huge relief to me. She is always kind & welcoming & puts me at my ease, explaining things in a way that, as a lay person, I can easily understand. Indeed, I have come to regard her more as a friend than a professional advisor.

What could they have done better?

I do not think that MG could do anything better but, as I am a very small client, my portfolio is probably not very complicated or difficult for her to deal with.

Review from verified client

March, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Pension planning is such a crucial area that you must feel your advisor is up to date with today's ever-changing regulations, fully understands your needs and will offer clear, constructive and reliable advice. From my experience Michelle delivers on all these requirements and does so in a professional and extremely personable manner. I respect and value her advice. I should also like to add that, when my previous advisor of long standing retired, I was wary of having to start a new relationship. However, Michelle very quickly made me feel at ease and impressed me from the off with her grasp of my goals and her understanding of the importance I attach to my pension

What could they have done better?

During the 3 or so years since Michelle took over handling my account I can't think of any circumstances where the service I've received could be faulted

Review from verified client

February, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle is an excellent advisor and very knowledgable regarding pensions ,which is important to me as I plan to retire this year . She is always available when I need to speak to her and is good at explaining financial matters .

What could they have done better?

Sorry , I can't think of anything

Review from verified client

February, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Michelle is always available and gives clear and constructive advice. She is both professional and approachable and understands and adapts to my personal situation.

Review from verified client

February, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

I visit Michelle once a year but if I have a problem I can get in touch any time I need to and she usually responds very promptly depending on her work load. She manages all my funds and pensions and investments and makes sure I am able to live and work in the way I want. As I am semi retired she also she helps me think ahead as to how to look after the rest of my family. She is easy to talk to and patient to explain what she thinks I should be doing. I find dealing with all these money matters very confusing and without her it would be impossible

What could they have done better?

Before Michelle took over my account I worked with one of her older partners who was wonderful but she retired . Michelle replaced her and had an extremely difficult task to gain my trust. As she was so young, I felt it would be difficult for her to be aware of what an older client would be needing. Over the last few years she has certainly dispelled my doubts .

Review from verified client

February, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

very approachable and offers practical options

What could they have done better?

Not charge fees !!

Review from verified client

February, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

Explains to a simple laymen what all the financial jargon means, and what I can an cannot do with my pension pot.

What could they have done better?

I don't think there is anything which she needs to do better.

Review from verified client

February, 2015

How has Michelle Gibbs helped you?

I have been with Helm Godfrey for a long time, in recent years Michelle and her team have looked after my financial affairs. I have been happy with the service and we have been through some challenging financial years in recent times. When I reached 65 we did a full review of my finances including a detailed cash flow projection. The cash flow was very helpful, as I could look at predicted expenditure, could match this agains available funds and future income. The end result proved, with sensible management, I had enough funds available. Those years of advice gave me sufficient funds to retire, when I chose to do so, or to cut back on my working life soon. Michelle team have also managed my Mothers finances, in recent years and we have been happy with the planning

What could they have done better?

We always want our investment to do better and a little magic would help. I have no reservations so have nothing to add