Gibson

J.S. MACNAGHTEN

After a number of relocations and changes, we had begun to feel anxious about our financial position and did not have confidence in knowing how best to prepare for a comfortable secure future. This was already well into retirement.

We asked trusted friends for recommendations and looked for ourselves. We actually found David Gibson on the internet and decided we were impressed by his website and his qualifications. Our first meeting was completely satisfying and his proposals were very well thought out and tailored to our needs and the degree of risk we would want to take. We also left feeling that we knew were we stood financially and that we could maintain a reasonable standard of living. Whenever we have had a question to do with our finances, David has been quick to respond and very helpful. We recommend him highly.

Helen

I‘ve been working with David for about 5 years now. I always liked to think of myself as having some financial acumen, but I was in my 50s and starting to think ahead to early retirement. I knew I was certainly missing a trick or two in making my money work for me.

Since working with David I’ve realized more than a few of the benefits of having a financial advisor. As a busy director in a global company it’s hard to find the time to review the balance of my portfolio and figure out what changes to make, understand how to work capital gains tax to my advantage, or identify opportunities for tax relief on some investments.

Now I have an expert who does that for me I feel much more confident I’m getting the best return on my investments as I plan for semi-retirement in the next year. I am more than happy to recommend David’s services.

Sam and Ann

My wife and I approached David, at Gibson FP, after he was recommended to us by a family member. I was in my mid 50's and was planning for retirement. With David’s help I was able to retire earlier than I originally thought possible. 

David has a wonderful knack of explaining financial issues in easy to understand ways. In the time we have worked with him he has taken the time to understand what we value in life and so works with us to make sure that we make the most of every opportunity available to us. He keeps us up to date, regularly anticipates questions we may have about economic issues and their likely impact and makes himself available when we need to speak to him.

Roger and Gwen

As retirement was approaching for both my wife and myself, we felt it necessary to create an overview of our financial position. We were moving from two regular monthly incomes to a position of two final salary teacher pensions. We also felt it was worthwhile for us to seek professional assistance.

Having contacted Gibson Financial Planning, I recall arriving at David’s office armed with boxes and files of bank statements, pay slips, old and new policies etc. – things definitely needed to be streamlined!

David considered all our circumstances and got back to us a few days later. He helped us to organise for the present and the future after looking at our incomes and outgoings. He provided options for us and gave us the opportunity to make our own informed decisions. He took into account the fact that we were cautious with our savings and helped us create a plan which was personal to us. The boxes and files quickly disappeared to be replaced by a much clearer and compact summary of our finances.

There was a relaxed yet professional environment for us to discuss these very important issues. David is well informed with excellent interpersonal skills and all relevant information was considered in a clear and concise manner. Communication is good and we are kept informed regularly of any changes which might affect us. An annual review meeting also takes place where future planning is examined in detail. David is always available if we have any queries with regard to our financial situation.

Elizabeth Griffin,
Hampshire

The firm of Gibson Financial Planning were initially recommended to my late husband and I in 2015 by my sister who has been a client for many years. As my husband was terminally ill, he was anxious to secure my financial future and invest with a Financial Advisor who he felt he could totally trust.

Sadly I lost my husband in 2016 and as a retired Widow, I find it reassuring to know I can contact Gibson FP with any financial queries or concerns and it is dealt with immediately, professionally and always with a personal touch. I receive regular updates, have an annual meeting to review my investments and can easily access my accounts online. The financial sector is a specialist field and can be a difficult path to navigate without good representation; Gibson FP have made sound financial investments with my life savings, optimising my returns with minimal risk. I have complete confidence and trust in Gibson FP and would highly recommend them without reservation.

Tom & Susan

Meet Tom and Susan, a couple with a number of growing and thriving businesses.

In their own words, Tom and Susan both admitted, “Up until now we’ve been winging it.” But despite this, business is currently great and they have just agreed the purchase of their dream home, a huge milestone and achievement for any family. But while things are clearly going well for them, they sought me out after expressing to another client of mine that despite their current situation, they still continue to worry about their financial future. Even though they enjoy an enviable lifestyle, full of all the things they as a family value and love, they still carry a nagging fear that it might not be sustainable down the line or that it all might not last.

As we chatted, and I learned more about their business and their lives, Tom became emotional as he told me about his own father losing everything in business due to an unfortunate combination of circumstances, bad advice, risky investments and not making hard decisions soon enough. This experience had clearly left a huge and lasting impression on him and had shaped how he saw his own achievements, leaving him with a fear of potential failure that still shadowed every success. And despite a thriving business Tom said he still always worried that, “We’ve no idea if we’ve enough.”

It was clear that for Tom, all his drive and desire for growing his business was about providing for those around him and being able to keep doing so as long as he possibly could.

I asked them to look back over the last 10/20 years to see if they could have imagined the £6m turnover they have now. Tom immediately said he couldn’t and that truthfully, he wanted that figure to be double digits in the next few years. As he shared his own hopes for their future, he turned to Susan and said “I’ve never said that out loud before and now you know.” She smiled and told him to go for it.

Their meeting with me was motivated by a desire to finally get a sustainable arrangement in place to have their financial independence secured. They wanted to create a clear plan that enabled them get to a point where they would have enough financial resources (a freedom fund) to passively fund their lifestyle, come what may. To be able to continue working because they love it, not because they have to are or afraid of what will happen if they stop.

The conversation we had, and the means and actions we set out together, showed them that by sticking to the ongoing investment plan they would have the freedom to use spare business capital to fund other projects and “take a few risks”.

Before our meeting ending Tom said, “Before this meeting we didn’t know why we were coming in, now we both do.”

Michael

Long ago, I concluded that my best strategy for retirement was to work hard, save as much as I possibly could to take advantage of the tax incentives, and invest for the long term to build-up enough to enable me to retire early and have a comfortable retirement without any money worries. It is a strategy that has worked for me.

Having spent most of my working life in England, I decided to live out my later years amidst the scenic splendours of the Causeway Coast. On returning to Northern Ireland, I set about the task of finding someone local to manage my pension and investment portfolio. After searching online, I drew up a shortlist of potential firms that seemed to meet my requirements. 

The first firm I approached was Gibson Financial Planning and following a meeting with David Gibson, I instinctively knew that this was someone I could do business with and didn’t need to look any further. I haven’t been disappointed. David is knowledgeable, responds promptly to any queries I might have and explains things clearly. He is friendly, yet always professional in his approach. And as I stroll along the beach or cliff top path in the glorious sunshine (well perhaps not always), I can relax in the knowledge that my portfolio is being well looked after and instead of money concerns, all I need worry about is where to go on my next holiday to find that elusive sun!

Mary

We as a family of four have been dealing with Gibson Financial Planning for a number of years now. We were introduced to GFP many years ago by my Aunt who formerly had dealt with Bill Gibson before David took over the reins. 

We have found GFP an efficient and very professional company to deal with. No matter what you want to do, GFP makes it painless, and David talks in simple terms that people who aren’t in the financial business can understand, and relate to. He also is very happy to take the time to explain what is best if he thinks you need to make changes to your portfolio.

One of us is retired now and the other one is considering retirement so good financial planning, and someone we can trust is of upmost importance to us. At this stage our sons have small portfolios, but we will certainly be encouraging them to continue with GFP.

If we had to describe GFP in three words… professional but personal.

Alastair

Having been offered early retirement, I needed an adviser to support me in managing my various pension pots and savings to provide income.

David immediately impressed as a trustworthy individual who keeps the clients interests at the forefront of his activity. He explains options in a straightforward manner and always checks details before giving any advice.

Despite being hit by a pandemic shortly after commencing our relationship, David's service has been very impressive and the investment performance has been very good.

I would recommend David to anyone seeking a good financial adviser.

LYNN AND BRENDAN

David has been helping us since 2012 when we both retired. He has advised us on pensions and general financial planning, always very considerate of our personal circumstances and concerns.  We have been very happy with all aspects of the very professional service David offers.