This month The Times released its ‘2020 Guide to the UK’s Top-Rated Financial Advisers’. The guide, compiled in partnership with the website VouchedFor, is based entirely on client reviews and Life Matters are proud to announce their inclusion on the list. We were also privileged to have our client Robyn interviewed by The Times for a case study in the guide.
Great client reviews
The Times published its 2020 guide to the UK’s top-rated advisers in collaboration with the website VouchedFor. The site lists thousands of the most trusted financial advisers from around the UK, based on a total of over 130,000 verified client reviews.
Whilst some guides are compiled based on financial qualifications or accreditations, the VouchedFor list is based entirely on our clients’ feedback.
Top-rated status is awarded to advisers who received an average rating on VouchedFor of at least 4.5 out of 5 in 2019, and we’re delighted to have achieved 4.9 out of 5.
A big ‘thank you’ to our clients for great reviews like this one:
“Emily has consistently provided clear, understandable guidance allowing us to be informed of our choices… She is incredibly patient and knowledgeable and took time to truly understand our goals and objectives.”
The guide acknowledges the efforts of advisers who commit to promoting transparency and help people access great advice. As VouchedFor’s managing director Alex Whitson says in this year’s guide, ‘The evidence is compelling: great financial advice improves lives.’
Robyn’s Case Study: Advice ‘worth every penny’
Robyn McLelland lives in southwest London and has been working with us for the last 14 years. Now, at the age of 56, Robyn has the confidence financial security brings.
We first met Robyn in 2006. She had been separated from her husband for two years and wanted to make sure that she had a plan in place for her future. With two daughters to look after (today aged 27 and 19) Robyn wanted to ensure she was prepared for all eventualities.
Together we worked out a plan focused on helping her achieve financial peace of mind, whilst balancing a good lifestyle now, with the ability to sustain it in the long term.
First, we consolidated Robyn’s pensions and investments into one place, making it easier to keep track of them. Next, we looked at insurance to protect against long-term illness, ensuring that Robyn would still be able to pay her mortgage and receive an income should the unexpected happen.
“This all gave me the peace of mind I needed”, says Robyn.
In 2016 Robyn was offered redundancy after 27 years with the same company. She was in the informed position of being able to see this as an opportunity to make some big changes in her life. Having retained enough to support her whilst she got her new business up and running, she was also able to clear a significant chunk off her mortgage.
In 2019 Robyn transferred her employer pension to a personal pension offering more flexibility. She was able to clear off the rest of her mortgage whilst supporting her daughters with the cost of their education. Now mortgage-free, Robyn has been able to reduce her working hours whilst maintaining her standard of living.
Robyn says, “It’s been such a comfort over the years to have Emily to call on. She’s steered me through divorce, redundancy, setting up my own company and helping me to leave a legacy for my girls.”
Robyn is a great example of how financial planning can give you peace of mind for the future, whilst you live the life you want in the present.
It’s feedback like Robyn’s that has put us onto the VouchedFor list, giving us a platform to spread the word about the positive impact financial planning can have over the long term. It can help you define your goals, keep you on a steady path towards them, help you weather inevitable market volatility, and massively increase the probability that you’ll actually achieve those goals.
Please note: Each part of the advice given above was based on Robyn’s specific personal circumstances.No advice should be taken from this.