We asked our clients to volunteer their experiences, and we were overwhelmed by the response! We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this section, and we hope that you enjoy reading about and listening to their stories and comments.
If you want to know what our service is really like, don’t listen to us. Listen to the people who have experienced it.
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Recommend to a Friend »Peace of mind
We asked our clients what they consider to be the primary benefit of our service. Here is what they said.
David & Tena Smith
David and Tena have been clients of Chesterton House since 1998. David is a retired Building Society Chief Executive.
Road Map Process
We asked our clients about their experience with the Financial Road Map. Here is what they said.
David & Lesley Jebson
David and Lesley have been clients of Chesterton House since 1999. David works as a Consultant Geologist and Mining Engineer, and Lesley retired from teaching a couple of years ago.
The Value of Planning
David Smith, Leicestershire
“All my expectations and aspirations within the agreed Road Map have been met in a timely fashion with care and consideration, to all my needs and in a professional but friendly way.
I would have no hesitation in recommending the service provided to prospective clients.”
Judith Hagger, Bedfordshire
“The entire team is friendly, proactive and seems to be well informed – from a call into Chesterton House through to meetings.
The reassurance and peace of mind that my finances are in such capable hands, is of enormous reassurance. Thank you all.”
Investment Process
We asked our clients about their experience with our investment process. Here is what they said.
Lesley Jebson, Leicestershire
"Being advised by Andy means that I rest easy about money matters; because I have confidence that he gives informed advice and Andy is an honest man, who cares about his clients and acts with integrity. The office staff have been unfailingly friendly and efficient."
Trevor and Carole Holme, Leicestershire
Trevor and Carole have been clients of Chesterton House since 2001. Trevor is a consulting Educational Psychologist and, after a career in education, Carole is now an award-winning Textile Artist. In this interview they talk in detail about the Financial Road Map process and their perspective on what they feel good financial planning can achieve.
David Stevenson, Leicestershire
"At first I was reluctant to fully delegate responsibility for my financial affairs. This reluctance soon evaporated as our relationship developed and I came to appreciate the available expertise. Now I am content to tick off my bank statements and take an occasional glance at interest rates.
"The result has been great peace of mind even in the recent economic turbulence. Investment results have been excellent over time, and we find ourselves living comfortably within our income.
I had hoped to find sound financial advice, but I had not expected help in other areas of my life. Consequently I have been pleasantly surprised at your encouragement to identify and focus on a variety of personal goals.
I am sure Chesterton House will never grow complacent, but I am fully satisfied with the service currently offered and cannot readily imagine how it could be materially improved.”
Long term investing
We asked how our service helped you. Here is one of your comments.
Prof Hugh Burkhardt, Nottingham
"I have found your planning service excellent, keeping me informed and enabling my portfolio to perform well in good and more difficult times."
Dr Michael Hunter, Leicestershire
"I am able to live life without the feeling I should be keeping my eye on the financial ‘ball’.
I am aware of my financial position and able to relax as a result.
Long may it continue."
Denise Brook, Buckinghamshire
"The staff at Chesterton House blend efficiency with relaxed friendliness. They are helpful and knowledgeable without making one feel inferior.
I like the ethos of the planning, it has made me think about what money is for and not just investing and accumulating as an end goal. I feel confident that there will be funds for expenditures I wish to make.
In these difficult times communication has been reassuring but not complacent. I have every confidence that our investments are handled well and that everything is done to mitigate any unexpected downturns."
Gaining Control
Philip Jordan, FCA, ACMA,, Leicestershire
"As a Chartered Accountant I am supposed to know about investments (and taxation) but in practice I am more than happy to leave this matter in the hands of qualified persons who handle these matters on a daily basis."
Mrs M Hardy-Smith, Leicestershire
"I am given information that I perhaps would find difficult to access personally and it is explained to me in a way that I can understand, and when necessary, analyse the information. This enables me to make informed decisions. Without the support of Chesterton House I would have been unable to assemble a portfolio that would provide income when I cease work."
Simon & Gulzar Matthews, Formby, Liverpool
Simon and Gulzar have been clients of Chesterton House since 2007. Both are now retired and enjoying seeing the world after successful careers in market research and as a practice nurse.
This interview was recorded over the telephone and is of slightly lower quality.
Andrew Dixon, Derbyshire
"Over the years Chesterton House has turned my view point from not being too interested to being interested in my current and future financial situation. They have helped me understand that by planning you work towards what you want rather than just going along and hoping things will work out. I cannot say thanks too often."
Christine Thomas, Northamptonshire
"My relationship with Chesterton House has always been a confident and trusting one. I appreciate the friendly service and feel everyone is working for my best interests. I wouldn’t go anywhere else."
David Murphy
David and Anne Murphy have been clients since 1999. Here David explains how our service has helped them to achieve their goals, including a move to a new life in Devon and David's early retirement. The interview took place by telephone and we apologise for the lower quality recording.
Malcolm Leafe, Leicestershire
"It is always a very friendly office to visit. We have always been treated with the utmost respect.
Anything we haven’t understood has always been fully explained to us.
The system of listing our aims for the future has certainly made us think and take action."
Mrs B M Rodgers, Leicestershire
"The service you give ensures complete peace of mind so that I do not have to worry about my money as I know that it is in safe hands."
Peter Cunnington, Leicestershire
It is rare to find a company that one can trust implicitly - particularly where elements of financial exposure and/or selling exist. At Chesterton House this is achieved by an essential combination of small size, personal service, competence, professionalism, knowledge, experience, efficient management and trust.
All of the above provide clients with complete confidence and reassurance that their portfolios are in safe hands.
I would never seek or accept advice from any of the large banks, insurance companies or other national/multinational financial organisations that solicit our business, based on personal evidence of very poor, very expensive, or amateur performance.
The recent economic uncertainty and market volatility, coupled with natural disasters on a global scale, emphasise the value of well-balanced, well structured and well managed portfolios. One can only regret not having access to and benefit of such services from an earlier point.