testimonials

After building a home recently we wanted to review our finances and create a more secure financial future for ourselves and our children, but were unsure of how to approach this.

For us, we felt that it was best to find someone who could talk to us at our level, and who understood our personal requirements.

John took a very personal approach and provided us with all the answers in a calm, discreet and very professional manner. He clearly explained our options and provided an excellent level of service.

We highly recommend John if you are in need of professional financial planning advice with a personal touch.

Irma & Oliver

 

From Mr Clive Bridges:

I first met John when, as Principal of Spring Valley Primary School, he came as a mentor for students – one of a qualified group from the local church who had trained in a student mentoring program. John visited the school every week to spend time with a specific student throughout each of his primary school years. John prepared or took part in activities, assisted the boy with his schoolwork or just chatted with him about school or life issues. During this time, the boy benefitted immensely from having John as his male role model.

How does this relate to John and financial planning? Well what impressed me in particular about John was the care, persistence, dedication and his quiet untroubled approach that he showed. In effect, it has been these qualities, among others, that John brings to his financial planning business to share with clients.

Despite steadily getting know each other when John visited my school, it was not until I announced that I would be retiring that he offered his services as a financial advisor. I had already consulted with three other advisors, each providing different scenarios but no one that I felt personal enough with to gain my full confidence. Indeed, I felt that they provided somewhat stereotyped plans setting out a formula that they had already used for others rather than one that was specifically prepared to meet my needs.

John, on the other hand, brought a personal approach; his quiet demeanour gave me confidence that he was interested in me as a person rather than taking down the details and fitting me into an already established formula. To me, it seemed John offered the same type of care that I had seen him exhibit at my school. Meeting with my wife and I, John warmly gathered a feel for our family and was willing to share his own experience.

Unhurried, John built up a picture that enabled me to consider options he suggested and come back to him to ask questions or clarify points for greater understanding. I was impressed but didn’t feel rushed or pressed into a plan that was pre-set.

It is now almost 4 years down the track. John has tailored finances to meet the needs of myself and my wife with meetings held every 6 months to review progress or changes; or more regular meetings or phone conversations should the need arise. At each meeting, John provides a thorough appraisal of my current financial position. He always brings advice to these meetings and listens closely to any questions or alternatives that I too offer from time to time. Indeed, John is always willing to follow up queries or investigate any matter in greater depth.

However, John’s dedicated approach doesn’t mean he knows all. Our relationship should be described as a partnership – at times one where we can learn together. Through working with John, I have widened my own knowledge and developed a better understanding of my own finances, financial needs and the effects of economic decisions that are made. Prepared for our meetings, I feel better able to discuss issues and be prepared for John’s advice so that we can plan ahead together. I appreciate the honesty that John conveys in all his dealings as well as the experience of his own financial decisions that he himself has made ... in my view, John does not advise to follow a path that he would not be confident in following himself. 

To conclude, I am happy to commend John not only for the way he provides advice and planning, but also for the personal way in which he caters for my financial needs.