Helping people make smart financial decisions
Our clients are typically successful individuals who are approaching retirement or already retired. They are serious about bringing structure to their financial affairs and would like to know that they, and their family, will be looked after by a trusted adviser.
They often share similar characteristics. Whilst certainly not exclusive, these typical characteristics might be best described as:
- Successful – often are, or have been, business owners, partners in professional firms or executives
- Aged between 50 and 75
- Actively working towards their retirement, or already retired
- Family focused, with strong family values
- Residing in the South-West of England (although QED has clients across Southern England & Wales)
- Savings and Investments (Pensions, ISAs, Bonds, Cash etc.) of more than £750,000 (often much more)
Financial Challenges:
- Want to live a full and enjoyable life without financial concern
- Have accumulated an assortment of pensions, savings/investments, but unclear which are “good” and which “not so good”
- Would like a trusted adviser to take on the management and adminstration of their financial affars
- Want to know what level of income they can reasonably expect to draw from these
- If not yet retired, want to establish when they will have sufficient funds to do so
- Plans to gift/save for children and/or grandchildren, but don’t want to undermine their own financial security
- Unsure how best to manage estate and inheritance tax planning – and what about potential future care costs?
- May view financial planning and investing as a complex maze
- Want help with a strategy and somebody to manage all of the necessary paperwork
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.