Client Testimonials

Antony Lacey and Linda Hencher

“When one door closes, another opens” is a saying that’s often quoted in connection with life-changing events.

That’s certainly true for Antony Lacey and Linda Hencher. Their lives have taken a very interesting turn since both took redundancy as HM Inspectors of Schools in the mid-1990s, and part of what has made that possible is their ongoing relationship with Birchwood Investment Management.

Today they live in a picturesque North Yorkshire village and enjoy creative careers, Linda as a graphologist – she is also a qualified aromatherapist – and Antony as a medieval musical instrument maker and musician. Both are also story tellers – “When people pay us!” says Antony – and are involved in the Yorkshire Sounds project, a developing archive of dialect, poetry, speech and song.

When the redundancy axe fell, the Civil Service organised a comprehensive information and support package for people in Linda and Antony’s position, which he describes as “the best training we’d ever had”.

As well as useful advice for anyone thinking of going into business – which the couple still use, for example when young people are starting their own businesses – it included a day on financial issues, delivered by Trevor Simms of Birchwood.

Antony and Linda liked what Trevor had to say – and the clear, straightforward way he said it – and subsequently sought his advice on how best to arrange their finances. Linda had a Civil Service pension and Antony had a substantial lump sum, but their financial needs were complicated by Antony becoming a student, while at the same time supporting two other students.

The couple chose to invest in income bonds and although some were subsequently sold, to buy a house, others continue to provide extra cash. Additional bonds have also been taken out since the initial investment.

Antony said: “At the moment, we are fairly comfortably off but we review our arrangements from time to time, as circumstances change, and will continue to do so, for example as our parents grow older.”

“We stay in touch with Birchwood by phone and email and that, plus their regular newsletters, is fine for what we want. We have recommended Birchwood to friends and relatives and the reason is Trevor himself – his knowledge and the way he makes things understandable, as well as his independence and candour. Our relationship with Birchwood has worked well for us.”