Client Testimonials

Thanks Darren. The experience has been good and we are pleased we discovered you via Nik. I’m not at all sure the chap we used to use would have had the resources to provide the service.

NICK & JANET, SURREY

I don’t believe Darren could do anything better.

We would recommend him to anyone and have done in the past with no concerns. Any new client wishing to invest a large sum of money will enjoy the exposure of a true professional, confident that the advice is sound and tailored to their requirements.

MR H, SOMERSET

Having had problems with the quality of financial advice, from our hitherto long-term advisor (a subsidiary of a major high street bank previously known for its handling of wealthy clients) during 2014/15, we were looking to find an alternative source of sound financial advice for our pension arrangements and the day to day use of our financial resources.

QED, and Mr Darren Baker in particular, were known to us from friends’ recommendations and by background reputation as personal financial advisors who were considered to be sound in their advice and more approachable as people bearing in mind that your financial advisor has to know and respect most of your very personal details and affairs.

In our early discussions with Darren Baker it was clear that his personal knowledge of financial regulations and their effect on our total wealth distribution would be of great advantage to us and his subsequent early advice proved superior to that we had previously received and, crucially, was likely to be much more cost effective for the future.

We quickly (as quickly as the previous administrator would allow – they were not helpful in knowing that they were losing the business) moved our total pension fund to QED and their administration and have gained much confidence from their handling of our main source of income and wealth to date. We have now been able to make sensible adjustments to our daily financial distribution – spending! – and have increasing confidence that we will be satisfactorily funded in our retirement. This latter point is perhaps the most important aspect of our own financial advice requirement and we are pleased that it is now achievable with confidence and considerably more cost-effectively from people with whom we are happy to talk.

TONY & LINDA, SOMERSET

Honest straight talking is what I was looking for and was fortunate to meet Darren Baker.

He spends the time and effort to really explain things. He keeps me informed in an easy to understand way. It is honestly quite refreshing to meet somebody like Darren who has a total grasp of your situation and genuinely does whatever necessary for your best interests.

MR K, DEVON

I have known Darren for nearly 20 years and have always found him to be straightforward, giving good unbiased advice and we have confidence in his opinions.

MR & MRS C, SOMERSET

Darren has not only become a valued and trusted advisor, but also a friend.

MR & MRS C, SOMERSET

Darren has provided us with well-balanced and reliable financial advice for well over 10 years. We trust his professional knowledge and value his approach towards ensuring that the advice and recommendations that he makes are best tailored to our individual needs and expectations and are expressed in layman’s terms.

He is proactive, always honest and flexible in his service offer.

We trust and value him implicitly.

MR & MRS M, SOMERSET

MR M, DORSET

Darren is excellent. He listens really well and takes the time to understand personal goals. His assessment of his clients attitude to risk is the best I have come across from an advisor and very thorough. His professionalism is very reassuring.

MRS W, SOMERSET

Darren has always provided full explanations and produced a portfolio that meets my needs. I have now asked him to take over my complete financial planning.

MR R, SOMERSET

We chose Darren specifically because…we preferred his approach of minimising the internal “tax” of high management costs. He has paid us ample attention…His explanations are clear, at the right level of detail, and he has inspired confidence.

He has managed to avoid swamping us with unnecessary paperwork and we have a straightforward view of our investments which we can call up on the web whenever we want, all in one place.

I have no hesitation in recommending Darren.

MR & MRS M, DEVON

Darren has been advising my Mother for about 10 years and turned around her quite unsuitable IFA package into a set of investments that not only survived the 2008 crash in good order but has more than sustained her needs over the period.

MRS B, SOMERSET

When my wife and I needed proper professional advice we looked at other IFAs and realised that…Darren was so far ahead of them in terms of research, seriousness, management backup and probity.

MR B, OXFORDSHIRE

Darren has always been very approachable, diligent, knowledgeable and professional. His approach to investment choices has been refreshingly open and honest, and the proof of the pudding – the performance of the selected portfolio – so far appears to be on track. Definitely recommended. I’m struggling to identify anything that would have made a real difference.

JOHN, SOMERSET

Darren Baker’s service could not be bettered in my opinion.He reminds me, politely, to complete the tasks I need to complete in order to progress with my financial plans.

DR G, SOMERSET

Our family has dealt with Darren for over 20 years, he has become a valued and trusted advisor. He offers strong and sound advice and explains everything in layman’s terms.

Family businesses and investments are always delicate and can become quite emotive and controversial. Darren navigates his way through these discussions and listens to everyone’s concerns before offering sound solutions.

He always follows through everything and does what he promises.

MRS K, SOMERSET

Darren has always been very approachable and willing to answer my questions no matter how many times I ask them! His advice is always clear and easily understandable. He replies to my questions and requests immediately. He keeps me up to date with new legislation. He understands my financial needs and so I am happy to trust his judgement.

MRS H, SOMERSET

I was extremely worried about choosing an investment adviser, but having learnt more about QED’s service and having spoken to several existing clients, I felt confident QED were the right people for me. Looking back I made a very good choice.

MR B, NORTH SOMERSET

Over the years we have seen our finances do very well with Darren’s expert advice. Darren has done an excellent job and I can’t think of anything more he could do.

MRS B, DORSET

Darren’s explanations are clear, and at the right level of detail, and he has inspired confidence. He has managed to avoid swamping us with unnecessary paperwork, and we have a straightforward view of our investments which we can call up on the web whenever we want, all in one place. I have no hesitation in recommending Darren.

MR & MRS M, DEVON

I have been with Darren since March 2013. I can say that he is very pleasant to deal with and is happy to help with small things, as well as the big picture. He also found me an annuity with a better rate than I was able to get online. He keeps the jargon to an absolute minimum and I like the fact that the portfolio is put together for me as an individual.

MRS L, DEVON

We can’t think of anything that could have been done better – it has been a really positive experience. Darren took the time to explore in detail which points were most important to us for the future. He was extremely helpful in getting us to think about and properly understand our attitude to risk. He was very clear in his explanations and patient in answering questions. Overall, we are very pleased to have had his help in making a plan for the future and taking the first steps.

MR H & MS B, SOMERSET

Taken the burden of managing our personal portfolio, leaving us to manage our business. Gives regular impartial advice, in language we can understand, and always gives us the option to have more control if we wish.

MARTYN, SOMERSET

I really don’t know how Darren could be better. When I first met Darren my financial affairs were in a complete mess and very fragmented. He rationalised my portfolio in the way I wanted, i.e. accessible, low risk investment and viewable anytime on-line. He responds to my calls, e-mails and requests very promptly and efficiently: nothing is too much trouble. He has also proved quite a comfort in these volatile and worrying economic times, sending all us clients homilies on-line and even interjecting them with humour! What I value most is that Darren has not only become a valued and trusted advisor, but also a friend.

MRS S, SOMERSET

I found Darren to be friendly, extremely professional and very patient. He has confidence in his services and never goes for the hard sell giving the customer time to size up the best solution.

MRS S, SOMERSET

Darren listens really well and takes the time to understand personal goals. His assessment of his clients attitude to risk is the best i have come across from an advisor and very thorough. He has an excellent knowledge of the products he recommends and keeps in regular contact now the initial part of our investment review is complete. Everything has been excellent.

MRS W, NORTH SOMERSET

Our needs were for simple, clear guidance. Darren delivered on every level. He blew away previous advisers with his clarity, eliminating jargon, building a plan which made logical sense and was flexible enough to absorb fluctuating circumstances. His corporate background makes him an invaluable sounding board for commercial ventures. Darren is unlike any other FA previously encountered and we would not think of considering any alternative adviser.

REBECCA, SOMERSET

What Darren provides is a focus on a balanced portfolio, tuned to a level of risk tailored to your circumstances and objectives with investment funds that are not like vampires that drain away the value of your portfolio with high fees. I like that approach and that is why I use Darren as my IFA. I believe I achieved a balanced investment portfolio, at the lowest possible overall cost level, that hopefully ought to provide for my financial objectives without taking unnecessary risks. I gained access to low cost funds and that helped offset the cost of advice. It has been extremely worthwhile in my opinion.

NICHOLAS, SOMERSET

Presents himself and recommendations in a friendly and professional manner with various options for consideration, and providing a swift service.

RICHARD, AVON

In all aspects Mr Baker’s advice has proved sound and excellent value.He is thorough and structures our portfolio after careful consideration of our life style and objectives. Our affairs are constantly monitored and we have face to face meetings twice a year. Mr Baker is attentive and quick to respond to any queries, returning calls promptly. He has up to the minute software which he has tailored to meet our requirements. Annual accounts are provided which are also forwarded direct to our accountant.

DAVID & JENI, SOMERSET

Darren provided expert advice on the purchase of an annuity providing helpful comparisons of the options available. He diligently and successfully took on the task of coordinating the complex and lengthy process involved in the transfer of funds from three different pension providers to arrive at the best single payment annuity. Following completion of the annuity arrangement we felt impressed enough with the service provided by Darren we asked him the look into aspects of our then current investment strategy with a well known high street bank. This he did with great skill which in turn helped us to decide to take up his recommendations for a different approach which will not only reduce our costs but give us a more appropriate risk profile. He is a good communicator. He is open to discussion and importantly open about his fees. He listens to clients’ comments never departing from agreed instructions and reliably follows through with promised actions.

MR X, SOMERSET

FURTHER INFORMATION