Client Testimonials

Judith Abbs

“A knowledgeable friend whose opinion I trust” – that’s how Judith Abbs sees her relationship with Birchwood Investment Management.

Mrs Abbs and her musician husband Malcolm, from Highgate, London, are like millions of people all over the country: reasonably comfortable financially, but with no substantial sums to invest.

But although she jokes: “We’re not a particularly interesting client for Birchwood – we don’t have much money!”, when financial issues do crop up, she finds Birchwood’s advice invaluable.

Mrs Abbs first came across Birchwood many years ago when her daughter attended an advice session run by Birchwood at a personal finance services seminar and recommended them as the most impressive company.

Now, in return for a modest annual fee, she can give them a call whenever she wants financial information or advice. She says: “It’s incredible value for money. They take all the burden of doing the research away from me.”

She also finds the regular newsletters that the company sends to its clients useful. A recent issue contained an article on changes to the Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) arrangements that start from October 1, 2007, when the EPA will be replaced by a document called a Lasting Power of Attorney, which will be more complicated and more costly to put in place.

“I would not have found out about that in any other way and acted on it immediately. We have an EPA for an aunt and now we intend to set them up for ourselves before the deadline,” she says.

Mrs Abbs retired in 1998 but continues to work as a freelance writer and editor, which means her income can vary considerably from year to year. When she enjoyed a particularly successful year, she asked Birchwood for advice on the best way to make the most of that income.

She has also consulted them on topics including pensions and gives the company a call if she hears about issues that affect her, such as the benefits of spreading assets across more than one account.

Mrs Abbs says: “I think they are wonderful. I would never invest in anything without asking Birchwood first.”