There are many types of financial advisers, and I eyed all of them with suspicion. It seemed to me that I had spent a lifetime lining pockets of poorly informed salesmen who were principally concerned with advising me to buy a policy that paid them a commission. They had different ideas over the decades, but for the most part (with one noble exception) they were largely only truly useful to themselves.

Hudson’s, a personal recommendation to me, came at finance from a different angle. Still personal, it was first and foremost about understanding my position warts and all. Richard listened carefully so that he understood what I knew and what I didn’t. He needed to know what concerned us, ensuring that my wife was fully informed and involved. He does this regardless of previous roles in a partnership, and I agree with that philosophy. There is no point fixing finance for just one individual. Detailed analysis long before recommendation was a novel approach for me – usually it was pretty superficial before.

Using software that visually demonstrates your likely financial position, we were reassured about the future. I think long before we talked over selling or buying anything, or holding another policy, I was more confident and felt more in control. The fee structure is transparent and fortunately not based on commission, for the most part. You will be referred to experts for some things, and Richard and his team have a wide network to call upon. If you are lucky enough to be offered to be taken on as a new client, I’d recommend you  accept and see what you think.

Dr Jim Steel MB BS BSc MRCP FRCR 

Hi Richard.

I have tried to put some words together for you, hopefully they are of use.

I am more than happy for you to use my comments in any marketing, should you wish to do so.

What aspects of our service delivery are important to you?

Hudson’s give clear and straightforward advice, doing everything that they can to enable you to understand. If it is needed to be explained in simple terms, then simple terms it is. You genuinely feel that your understanding of the advice is as important to Hudson’s as the advice itself.

Hudson’s care deeply about their clients and take the time to listen to you and gain understanding as to what it is that you may require.

If Richard is unable to assist with something himself, if he does not personally know someone who can deal with the issue (which is rare), then he will do everything he can to source a quality contact. He usually still stays involved too, ensuring that you are getting the right service.

If something is important and needs to be done, they will keep pushing you and will not let it slip. It is so easy to overlook or forget something in our busy lives, so the reminders are very appreciated.

They are hugely supportive, in good times and bad. We have recently had several personal issues, including deaths in the family and serious illness. The support that was provided was second to none, and certainly helped take some of the pressure off. Richard was always available, either on the phone, or in person, to talk to. Nothing ever seems too much trouble for him.

What areas of advice and support are most valuable to you?

I believe that all areas that Hudson’s cover are of importance. The financial services sector is probably the key area first, ensuring that pensions and the right insurances are in place. If you do not need something, then Richard will tell you so. There is no pushing of unnecessary policies on you. This then rolled into wealth planning, which is something that we had never considered, and certainly could not have done on our own.

It was a huge eye opener and has put us in a far better position for the future that we ever would have been without the support of Hudson’s.

We would certainly recommend Hudson’s to anyone who is considering bespoke financial help. They are the most genuine and caring people that I have ever dealt with.

Kind Regards

Daryll Cain, Retired Company Director

We are forty-somethings with a young family and have always been very reluctant to pay for financial advice and involve someone else in our business and our lives, however joining Hudson’s has been a fantastic move for us. With Richard and Kathy, you are not just numbers; they prioritise your family, your health and make you think about what you want for your future. Richard listens, remembers the details, and does not push anything. Also having the Hudson team working with you is like having a personal assistant, they really look after you and get the job done.We have made so many positive decisions with the help of Richard, yes, he has provided the advice to set up our pensions, but we have also gained insight from Richards experience and knowledge. We come away every time feeling stronger and more positive about our future.

Hannah & Neil Forrow, Company Directors

You provide a completely hassle-free service and total peace of mind. I have always found you very straight talking, and you paint a truly clear easy to digest picture of our financial future in a way that we could not have hoped to have mapped out if we tried. By having it all laid out in front of us like that it allows us to plan better, easily, and ultimately enjoy things more because there is no stress about finances.

You quickly identify what is important to us and put things in place to look after them in a way that we can afford while make our financial future secure and allowing us to enjoy the here and now.

It sounds like an awful lot of work, and I expect it is, but we just have a coffee and chat every now and then and it is all taken care of.

You’re help has really made a difference.

Thank you.

Adam Ford & Michelle Allen-Ford, Senior Manager & Company Director

Dear Richard,

Libby and I are not financially savvy. Like most, I had an inherent distrust of financial advisors, and I thought with good reason. Though tight by nature, I thought that it seemed right to trust and believe after very extensive conversations with those professionally qualified to advise. The products recommended almost always resulted in a benefit to them (hence, they were keen to point out, why they didn’t have to charge for their services any other way). Unfortunately these products didn’t always work out well for us. There was complexity around finance that, despite effort and a triple figure IQ, I never really got. I needed simple, clear, meaningful and relatable explanation.

In the ideal world I was looking for a product or person that would leave me confident that I had done OK, or show me what I needed to do to get there, so that retirement was possible, and so that my wife and children were safe. That is the Hudson focus: not just for me but for my wife. There was an early insistence, to my relieve and Libby’s, that the discussions should be held together.

They have a tool to project the result of current finance on the future, with assumptions that are discussed. Richer than the tool, though, is the evident experience of people similar to me that Richard has helped. The model of payment is strictly by a monthly retainer for us, at least, and that is clear and seems fair. In a way I wasn’t expecting, to an extend a weight has been lifted off me, and our position is clearer to both of us.

I’d recommend the approach of Sound Financial Management and Richard. He, and the many professionals he works with to appropriately advise and manage your money, are worth it, or so we think. We will be reducing the overall cost now that there is very little to do, we expect, but there is clarity that should we need to, this firm is there to help.

You get what you pay for. Whilst the cost may appear quite steep to miserable people like me, the truth is that the alternative of less well organised finance is probably more costly, and certainly doesn’t provide the level of peace of mind that Richard and his team do.

Kind regards

Jim Steel, NHS Consultant

Richard,

All the things you listed below are relevant and valuable to us.

• Hudson’s speak our language, no jargon, only plain English.
• Hudson’s say it how it is. If you need moral support, it will be provided.
• Hudson’s llisten. We really listen. To what you say, and often the things you are not saying.
• Hudson’s drive action. If you need nagging, you will get it. If you need us to chase others, we will do it.
• Financial services, i.e., life insurance and pensions etc
• Wealth planning. Helping you to quantify, protect and grow your wealth.
• Lifestyle planning. Guiding on spending and investment decisions.
• If relevant, as a Non-exec director. Adding advice and input to your business strategy and direction.

I think , as you are no doubt aware, I am fairly on it with the financial side of the business and our personal money. This, however, would leave a gaping hole for Michael, if I was to die or be seriously ill or for our two boys.

Having you, Richard, there for them to speak to with your plain speaking and knowledge is of great reassurance.

Jo Harris, Company Director

Over the past twenty three years, Richard Hudson has successfully anticipated our needs with respect to all aspects of our personal finance.

His strategic approach to financial planning, together with his detailed knowledge of the individual products and services that we might require has meant that we have a well-balanced portfolio of investments and adequate protection through insurance in case should misfortune strike.

He provides a “bespoke” service, tailored to our requirements, which is only made possible through the time and care that he has taken in getting to understand not only our immediate situation but also our hopes and aspirations for the future.

Dr. John D. Dean MB BS, FRCGP.

For over two decades, Hudson’s have provided me with a service which I regard as the epitome of professionalism. Richard’s experience in the financial planning market and of investment products, combined with the clarity and quality of advice provided by him, has enabled me over the years to plan for the short term and long term future with confidence.

His inimitable style allows difficult subjects to be broached with ease and in good humour. As a Company Director, the hours that need to be devoted to successful financial planning could not be achievable without Hudson’s enviable organisational skills.

I hope to continue a long and successful relationship with Richard, Kathy and their team in order to maintain and ultimately achieve my personal aspirations.

R Falle – Company Director, Devon.

Financial affairs are getting more complex and frightening for mere humans, like myself!

Hudson’s offers such a friendly, competent, professional and human service I cannot imagine life without their help.

I am also confident that when we are beyond their service (and everything else!) our family will continue to benefit from the solid foundation achieved with Hudson’s advice.

Richard, Kathy & Alison are a very special team.

P May – Retired, Devon.

For over 25 years Richard and Kathy have supported us to navigate through the financial ups and downs of our personal and business lives. They speak our language and implicitly understand our individual, family and business needs and demands.

Whatever the past or present challenge, Richard is always quick to respond, listen fully, share advice and recommendations to help us realise a workable business, or personal, strategy and direction. His steadfast support and measured, decisive advice is authentic, based on his own life experiences and business knowledge which we trust and value highly.

Richard has enabled us to achieve financial security for our family, we have strategies for financial resilience, lifestyle planning, wealth planning goals and the reassurance that we will achieve our long-term plans for retirement and security for our children. Without Richard’s guidance, encouragement (and highly necessary nagging) and Kathy’s organisation we would not be in such an optimistic and financially resilient position.

Cate & Philip Dawes, Company Directors

Thanks to Richard, since we met over 22 years ago he has provided us with quality advice and guidance that has ensured that we have always had a comprehensive financial and protection plan in place.

Over the years, as our requirements have changed, Richard’s interest and understanding of our short, medium and long term aims has ensured that our investments and cover have always matched. I have complete peace of mind that our financial future is being cared for by someone who has the experience and knowledge to have all the answers, proposals and solutions to any questions I have or situations that may arise.

To have this and the first class service Hudson’s offer and along with someone you can trust with these critical decisions about your future is fantastic.

C Bowles – Senior Manager, Devon.

We first met Richard Hudson over 20 years ago when he visited us as a financial adviser. We were impressed with his knowledge and insight into financial planning and we have moved with him as he has grown his business into the bespoke financial service that he now provides. We continue to be impressed!

Hudsons provide a very visual, clear and informative view of our financial situation and at our annual meetings Richard raises thought-provoking questions and offers sound advice for us to consider regarding our future planning. The service that they provide has given us great financial peace of mind. We really appreciate this personal approach.

Hudsons office staff, under the leadership of Kathy, are excellent – efficient, knowledgeable and friendly. They always get back to you when they say they will; nothing is too much trouble for them.

We have no absolutely hesitation in recommending Hudsons.

Les and Margaret Ware, Retired.

Over the years that we have used the services of Hudsons, we have greatly valued their services. The clearly explained, sound, advice that we have been given by Richard and his team, in such a friendly and understanding manner has allowed us to make informed decisions in respect of our financial affairs and retirement planning.

Chris & Jenny Nelstrop, Retired