F UTURE PROOFING

When Kathy Annandale, awardwinning businesswoman, actor and author experienced all of the above (and more for good measure), she was starting to think that all she’d worked for could be lost. But going to a networking meeting and the subsequent introduction to financial expert Bethan Beemer meant that there was, for once, the light at the end of a tunnel, and it wasn’t a train coming.

How did you hear about Bethan?

It was via Zoom during lockdown. I’m a member ‘I Am Woman’, a networking group for women in business. Beth was a new member introduced to me by the founder Cheryl Bass. Beth impressed me as, while consummately professional, her manner was warm, friendly, patient and understanding. Unlike many other financial consultants I’d come across over thirty years in business, she made no attempt at the hard sell or indeed promote any particular product.

What made you want to contact her?

I had a number of complex problems following a combination of a messy divorce, where teasing out pension entitlements had defeated both my barrister and the judge, and business losses due to the pandemic. Basically I was in financial limbo with assets I could not realise and poor growth, combined with what seemed to be excessive charges, especially frustrating when I was desperate to set up as an author.

A combination of Brexit, lockdowns and a possible recession had also made me realise that I needed to consider going in a new direction with much lower overheads. The clincher for me was when Beth looked into a pension issue I knew in my heart was unfair, took my current providers by the throat and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

With her expertise, she got justice for me where top legal professionals had given up. And as if that weren’t enough, in conversation with Beth I learned that she had once been involved in publishing and, talk about going above and beyond, she offered to proofread my first darkly comic crime novel ‘For Whom The Goats Bleat’ and get it ready for submission to a literary agent. In many ways she’s been a mentor as well as an adviser.

Sorting out financial matters, especially pensions, can be quite frustrating. I imagine it was a great relief to have her in your corner... Absolutely. I was being frustrated by the complexities and intransigence of my existing pension managers who were behaving like rabbits caught in headlights when it came to changing anything. I was getting poor to no advice and being charged an extortionate amount for researching every enquiry.

I had got to the position of realising that in real terms I was not going to benefit from my pension or property. This was causing me a considerable amount of stress. Now instead of discussing woes, we’re discussing investment strategies. Life is exciting again.

What tangible advice and assistance did Bethan give you? She gave me hope. She outlined how my pension could be restructured allowing me the flexibility to continue writing and drawing on some of my pension while changing direction in my life.

What was particularly impressive is that she undertook to research exactly what my current situation was, set out clearly my options then acted swiftly, efficiently and very effectively.

How did that make a difference to your financial situation?

The change in my circumstances and the complete relief from stress was nothing short of a game changer for me. For the first time in my life, I felt that I was in total control of my financial affairs and I could start planning ahead, how I was going to finance my new lifestyle, pay for repairs and improvements to my property, then move ahead to setting up a realistic income stream, without a monthly panic over a sclerotic financial situation where all attempts at moving forward seemed to be strangled at birth.

Are you happy with the advice given?

Overjoyed would be nearer the mark. Basically, it is thanks to Beth that I can now look forward to developing further my new life as an author. The combination of her financial advice and friendly editorial direction has elevated her from being a lot more than a useful contact but a truly valued friend.

I’m guessing you’d be very happy to recommend Bethan to friends and family...

That is a given. Beth stands head and shoulder above all the other so called financial advisors I have encountered throughout my life. She’s a breath of fresh air.

To receive a complimentary guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or inheritance tax planning, contact Bethan Beemer on 07715 940827 or email Bethan.Beemer@sjpp.co.uk

Let me pose a scenario; you’ve had the best idea! It’s amazing. It’s going to change everything. You tell people. You plan. You’re excited. However, this idea stays as an idea. It never develops into that ‘something.’ Does this resonate with you?

ANGHARAD EVANS