Client Testimonials

Raymond Ashman

The ability to weather the ups and downs together is a factor that shouldn’t be underestimated in cultivating any long-term relationship, including the one between a client and their financial advisor, especially in the current economic climate.

Raymond Ashman has been a private client of Birchwood Investment Management for 22 years, following a recommendation from a professional company. In that time, he has invested quite a mixed portfolio through them, including ISAs, PEPs and unit trust shares.

Birchwood also dealt with his private pension - recommending he move it from the company fund into another one – and advised on money he had in an Added Voluntary Contribution scheme.

From his first meeting with Trevor Simms, Mr Ashman has had full confidence in Birchwood. “I felt relaxed,” says Mr Ashman, “as Trevor was very professional, very friendly and not pushy for someone in his field.

“There have been a lot of ups and down in the market, but Birchwood always tries to reassure me. For example, following the recent collapse of Keydata Investment Services, I received a letter the next day, and an update the week after – that’s the kind of service I get. If anything happens, I know there will be a letter waiting.

“I get a newsletter with my quarterly statement which is full of information on the European and US scenes, as well as the UK markets. If there is anything special, Birchwood will keep me informed.”

Mr Ashman wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Birchwood, and has done so to friends, family members and people he worked with. “They have been through the market,” he says, “and don’t push you to invest more than you can afford. Birchwood always advises to keep some money tucked away in a safe place.

“If they can manage in this kind of environment, then I’ll see it out with them.”