“Fortitude makes me feel as if I am their most important customer.”

My name is Kelvin Acford. I'm a pharmacist who has been a client of Fortitude Financial Planning for 18 years and my planner is Chris Bowmer.

I contacted Fortitude Financial Planning 18 years ago, as I was in the process of selling the pharmacy business, and I wanted to ensure my financial security for the future and that of my family.

Prior to contacting Fortitude Financial Planning, I had a figure in mind in terms of the return I would achieve from my investment and I wanted to be sure that that figure was realistic. They reassured me that it was and, with their discreet tax advice, I was actually able to improve upon that.

I chose Fortitude because of the personal attention they offered me. I felt that other companies treated me as a number rather than as an individual, but Fortitude definitely treat you as an individual.

When I first contacted Fortitude, they were able to help me plan for the proceeds of the sale of one aspect of my business. Subsequently, they helped me on two further occasions, and that helped me to plan for my security and my family's security, both the current generation and the next generation.

Fortitude makes me feel as if I am their most important customer. I always know that I will receive an answer swiftly and we can have a dialogue, which harmonises my wants with their business needs and ultimately, we all win.

I've weathered the financial crisis, I've weathered Covid. At the time these situations occur, one is daunted by the figures, but the reassurance that's provided, and the subsequent recovery guarantees that I know I've made the right decision.

The three words that spring to mind when describing Fortitude Financial Planning are “bespoke friendly planning”.

The best thing about working with Fortitude Financial Planning is that irrespective of the ups and downs of the market, the return I achieve exceeds my original expectation.

The key thing is the tax efficiency of the advice. I know that I'm always paying the taxes that are due, but at the same time, I'm not paying taxes that I don't need to.

I certainly would recommend Fortitude Financial Planning because they treated me as an individual and I know that the model adopted throughout the organisation will treat you as one too.