Our Client Stories
Background
Claire Stevens, Chief Officer at Voluntary Health Scotland
Over 10 years with Ethical Futures
Advice service: Ongoing Annual Review
Claire Stevens is the Chief Officer of a charity that promotes greater recognition of voluntary health organisations and supports them to influence Scottish health policy and outcomes. She approached Ethical Futures to ensure that she is on the right track for her retirement.
Why did you think you needed a financial adviser? What were your expectations?
I’ve worked in Scotland’s charitable sector most of my working life - it’s important to me to feel that I’m making a difference. Working in the non-profit making sector is immensely rewarding, if less so in financial terms. Career advancement and changing employers resulted in a scrappy portfolio of pension and savings plans.
Between them, the funds didn’t amount to much and I couldn’t make sense of them. I decided it was time to review my affairs properly. I was looking for a trustworthy, competent adviser.
Why have you chosen EF?
I chose EF because I was looking for an adviser whose values and personal approach I felt comfortable with and whom I could trust to be financially competent and independent.
I value the annual financial review meeting with my adviser because it ensures that I set aside time to try to understand my portfolio, ask questions, listen to advice and make any necessary decisions.
Ethics
Why is ethical investment important to you?
I have strong values in relation to social, economic and environmental justice. I believe some industries and business do outright harm to society and to the world rather than good. I would prefer not to personally contribute to such businesses if it is avoidable.
What were your ethical criteria in choosing EF?
I was attracted by the fact that they specialise in ethical investment advice and only recommend financial services and products that are ethically screened or that meet specified ethical criteria.
Advice
How did EF help you tackle your financial problems/make financial decisions/simplify your life?
They helped me put a more realistic and coherent investment plan in place, aimed at funding for my future needs after my planned retirement age.
Outcome
What benefits have you seen from using EF services?
Pensions are confusing and difficult to understand and I find it far too easy to shove such paperwork in a drawer in the hope it will magically sort itself out. So I value the annual financial review meeting with my advisor because it ensures that I set aside time to understand my portfolio, ask questions, listen to advice and make any necessary decisions.
What were you able to achieve as a consequence of service provided by EF?
I have more peace of mind with EF as my advisors as I know my affairs are looked after.
How was your experience with EF?
I like the fact that I’m dealing with a small team and that my adviser knows me well and always tailors the advice and service to my particular needs.
Future
What further goals you wish to achieve in the future?
I envisage myself taking a new career direction at some point before I retire, to enable me to make space for some of the more personal goals that I’d like to achieve.
