Brian & Joy, 11 June 2024. 

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What goals did you have or what problems were you facing before you started working with us?  

It was an interesting start because Simon’s mother was working for a bank and at that stage we were having a little trouble with our bank. We approached Chris, and in a short period of time that got fixed. More importantly, it started a relationship for Joy and me and eventually it just gave us the opportunity to get involved with somebody who 35 years ago, we felt knew what they were doing.  

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More importantly from our part, it was the fact that they set up a plan for us as to what we should do and I suspect that’s been the reason why I am 91 and Joy is 90 and we can still “walk and talk”, even though we might be a bit slower. We’re really very fortunate. 

 

What results have you achieved, and how have they impacted you personally?   

From our perspective, the plan that was put together has got us to the point where we are today. More particularly in the complex world that we’re living in. Even though Covid and everything else had a major impact on not only us but everyone else, the important thing is that it gave us the opportunity to be in constant contact with you, and you’ve helped us considerably in that regard.  

 

I think it’s given us confidence in how we approach the management of our portfolios and any new (investment) managers, it's not confrontational it’s a joint approach That’s important, and that makes it better for us.  

 

What has been your favourite part of working with us?   

The relationship. That’s been probably the most important thing because yourself and Chris, your advice and now the way you've been able to manage the whole of the structure, and importantly introducing our kids to it. They are really happy. We’ve been able to pass on to them our experience with you, and more importantly, that you’ve accepted them. 

 

Who would you recommend our services to, and why?   

Anybody that’s in our position. I think that’s reflected in the fact that we’ve had the family join. The most important thing for us is the constant contact with you and what we have been able to pass on to the family and to others who have sort advise on the relationship.

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David & Sue, 11 August 2023. Clients since 2012. 

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What led you to start working with us?  

Sue: As a banker (at the time) I had to work through the process of understanding the whole concept and in the end, we thought it was the right decision to move to your company.  

 

David: I was having coffee with Rick Jones* and he said, “You should talk to this lady, Christine,” which I did. We had a conversation and then we had a meeting. I was very impressed with what she put on the table. 

 

What results have you achieved, and how have they impacted you personally?  

Sue: When I look back, there were times when I had some hesitation and over time, I realised how much the contact was so personal. Like when we had to change things because of the market, and things like that, they were very engaging so that I fully understood what was actually happening at that time in order to understand the benefit to the growth (of our account). And certainly, I can say to this day, all of that - she was true to her words. 

 

David:  The returns pretty much started straight away. I guess I had an expectation, and if I had stayed where I was (existing employer in-house super fund) that there would be no personal contact with whom I was dealing with. Whereas, with yourself and Christine, we have that personal contact. (Regarding our investment strategy) We change as the market change, and we get benefit from that. 

 

You almost didn’t work with us because...  

Sue: Having been a banker and understood financial markets working in the bank, it was working out how to decide whether you go through a financial advisor, whether you stay with a banking sector advisor or superfund, but also just facing the unknown - where the market is going and how it was going to go.  

 

Also, my feeling was I always knew how much I wanted to live off at my retirement age and guess what, it worked! I won’t say the amount, but it was achievable, and it was achieved.  (To decide on working with you) It took months, there was no pressure (from you) but it took months to decide.  

 

What has been your favourite part of working with us?  

David: Having that personal interaction with an individual (such as yourself) who can spell out things that we are looking at, in very simple terms. Lining up with what we want to look at and what we want to achieve, it's all there.  

 

Sue: I would also like to say, I feel like we’re part of the family. That’s what I feel. It's not just a person running the show, it's like we are family, and we talk about our family, its personal, comfortable and meaningful and it delivers a better outcome that way. 

 

Who would you recommend our services to, and why?  

David: If anyone was asking me if I knew someone who needed help in running their superannuation affairs, then yes, I would recommend where we’re at (with you) because, like Sue just said, it’s a family situation really. I have total confidence in who I’m dealing with.  

 

Sue: When you asked that question, a person came to my thought. Because this person asked us who our financial adviser was, and I said “Yes, we can help you with that. That’s not a problem at all”. Then he said that he looked after his share portfolio all by himself. So, my question was “Then what do you need a financial adviser for”? He said he wanted help with what he can’t do, such as other financial strategies. So, I was happy to give you his details. 

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*Details changed for privacy reasons