Had a wonderful annual online meeting with Clinton and advisor James Luke. As always, Clinton was so inspiring - on many levels - it is very reassuring and comforting to know that I'm in his hands. James was very helpful - and patient! - in explaining the diagrams re portfolio. Very nice to have met him. Terrific guys.

Quite simply one of the most seminal meetings I have had to date with David. Some brief conversation about investing but more importantly a pivotal discussion about work life balance and what really matters in life as I faced a crossroads professionally. It was key to helping me make a huge decision in terms of future planning and a new job is on the horizon. More than this, it made me realise a light shines again soon, even in the darkest of times. Such a discussion is only possible when an advisor not only takes the time to really get to know you but talks and walks through every possible option with no judgement, just a clarity of thinking that put me and my decision at the centre of the whole discussion. Thank you David, I will be forever grateful for not only professional integrity, your healthy dose of humour but your kindness too. Above and beyond, as ever.

Clinton is a consummate professional. He listens, takes clients comments and concerns onboard, explains Citywide's approach and processes in a detailed and easily understandable fashion, and gives sound advice.

David is always available to provide advice and answer questions relating to our investments and financial planning. This is always prompt and provide in a way that we can understand. Our portfolio has continued to grow and has exceeded our expectations. David and the Citywide team are always available to provide any support we need.

He has advised us and listened to want we want to achieve.

Clinton Askew, (the founder of Citywide) first helped to to clarify my financial goals and et up a long term savings plan in 2005. David took over our account when he joined Citywide and after meeting with us, we refined our plan. When I became ill in 2019, David and his team supported myself and my wife, re-arranging our finances and planning for retiremement which was time consuming and complicated by Covid. I went into a life threatening and life changing operation knowing that my affairs were in order and my family provided for financially. The wider Citywide team are one phone call or email away to lend a helping hand or be a sounding board.

David has helped me ensure that my Pension fund and other investments will last for the length of my retirement. We have regular review meetings to look at my pension drawdown amount and my outgoings to see if any adjustments are needed. David has also clarified many of the complex pension rules and procedures for me. 

The outcome is exactly what I was hoping for, I have been retired for a number of years and I am confident that my pension is invested in the correct way. I can't think of anything that could have been done better.

Clinton asked us to concentrate on our personal objectives for a good quality of life and satisfactory life style into the future. He inspired us to adjust our financial planning to suit these objectives rather than exclusively focussing on high rates of return which might also be risky investments. He helped us, at a later stage, to plan our downsizing from a large home to a smaller one providing extra cash to meet our objectives of a comfortable life style together with financing our grandchildren’s education. Inheritance tax planning formed part of this strategy and he pointed us in the right direction to achieve it. We continue to enjoy excellent service and advice from Clinton and his team.

Cinton has a full understanding of our life goals and priorities before considering how our finances need to support these.

David has helped us identify total outgoings, total income, money currently saved, money currently invested and money available for saving &/or investment.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser? We had a lump sum to invest following the sale of a business 

How has Clinton Askew helped you? I had spoken to several potential advisors before being introduced to Clinton via a friend. All the others were only really interested in how much we had to invest and in recommending investments that would provide them with commission. Clinton, however, started by getting to know us, what mattered to us, what we hoped to achieve and over what time scale. Only after this did Clinton start to offer advice on how we should invest to achieve our goals. 

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for? We have been amazed at the returns on investment, despite the inevitable ups and downs of the financial markets. I particularly like Citywide's strategy of focusing on steady growth and not chasing the market. 

What could they have done better? Nothing - I have been please with every aspect of their service.

Clinton has given us sound advice and pointed us in the right direction.

He and his team have set up a balanced portfolio of investments which comply with the regulatory environment in which I work. This includes the same for our entire family. Though the market isn’t great right now, the investments have performed well over the years and compared to their peer advisors.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser? I needed to get an independent, unbiased professional assessment of my finances. How has Clinton Askew helped you? Provides clearly defined advice and strategies that focus on quality of life decisions that will provide reassurance and financial stability for me and my family.

A pressurised sales pitch, by a previous potential adviser, made me re-evaluate the values of any financial company and person to whom I would be entrusting my hard-earned money. Clinton is refreshingly different, in that he takes a holistic approach towards his clients. I'm delighted with the performance of my portfolio, which has not only given me financial peace of mind but has enabled us to achieve some lifetime experiences.

Being young, self-employed, with a young family, and with no desire to join a traditional company with a pension scheme, I thought it sensible to get professional financial advice. That was some 30+ years ago. 

Clinton has taken us on a successful financial path I am sure we would not have followed ourselves. 

Having worked for a few different companies it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage multiple pensions and gain a coherent, single view. David reviewed all of my pensions, advised which ones to leave alone (final salary) and which to consolidate. He then did all the work on consolidating and helped my select the right funds to invest in.

We have worked with Clinton and his team since 2009. We had a 2-3 hour meeting with Clinton in which we immediately felt comfortable with his philosophy and his approach to our financial security. In a word we "trusted" him and his team to handle our pension fund and wider finances in a way that suited our attitude to risk.Over the past 14 years that trust has grown and our financial security is in safe hands. Over the years we have involved our sons with Citywide making the relationship "family affair". With regard to our situation we can't think of anything that they could have done better for us.

He has helped me to understand the importance of financial planning, taking into consideration my needs an attitude to risk. He has always been very patient with me!

Clinton has improved my financial knowledge and helped me manage my £££.

Clinton Askew has helped me in innumerable ways. Alongside his professional expertise, he has also been an ongoing personal advisor in managing my investment, explaining the financial terms and mechanisms all of which were new to me. Furthermore, he presents financial matters in their wider context - as illustrated in the regular newsletters he sends regarding ever-changing general financial issues. 

The outcome has exceeded my expectations on every level - from financial investment returns to a very reassuring and personalised relationship with Clinton Askew and his Team.

Very thorough and diligent and converted all aspects that I would have expected.

Clarity, common-sense and commitment to our financial success are the hallmarks of David's approach and delivery. After carefully exploring our needs, wishes and ambitions he made recommendations, underpinned with sound evidence and objectivity, and took endless trouble to explain any pros and cons of changes proposed. 

The prudence and proper conservatism of the CityWide approach to pension fund investment has proved to be an excellent strategy and has delivered both a realistic level of long-term appreciation and robust defence in turbulent times.

Clinton has done an excellent job of demystifying pensions and help me reach my financial goals for retirement.