John and Darren

We’re free to focus on life, knowing our finances are secure.

Darren 
Hello. My name is Darren, and this is my partner, John. We’ve been clients of Bluecoat for around three years, and David looks after us.

John 
We were planning the next phase of our lives, and I was still working. I wanted to know if the plans that we had were realistic and whether I could retire early. My big plan was to get a dog, which we have now. Giving up your job is a big thing, so we wanted the security of having somebody knowledgeable look after our finances.

Darren 
When we first spoke to David, one of our key priorities was paying off our mortgage. You can find lots of advice online, but some of it’s not very clear, and we wanted to speak to a real person about it. So, it was really good to speak to David and get some ideas about how we should prioritise and work towards that goal.

John 
I initially went online and looked on Unbiased to find a selection of advisers who met the brief. Within a very short time, I received an email from David, saying, “Come and have a chat, no strings; let’s talk through things.”

Darren 
For me, what is really great about David is that he’s very personable. He’s very friendly; he takes the time to listen and to understand your goals. He explains things clearly; there’s no financial gobbledegook or jargon; he gives clear, straightforward advice that’s easy to follow.

John 
In terms of what we want to do as a couple going forward, our finances are in a good state, and knowing that David is there, holding our hands, is an amazing reassurance.

John 
One of the best things about working with David and the team is that it feels like going into a friend’s home; you’re made to feel very welcome, they know you, and they know your background. They’ve done a lot of research into your financial situation, but they also ask you personal questions that indicate who you are. They ask about our new dog, for example. It’s a really friendly and relaxed time when we meet with them.

Darren 
I am happy to recommend David and Bluecoat unreservedly. The advice that they’ve given to us has been top-notch. The quality of our relationship and the way they make us feel looked after and supported has made a real difference in terms of our financial and life planning over the last couple of years.