Bea is 60 and works in publishing. She’s divorced with three grown-up children and two grandchildren.

Why did you decide to work with Barrington Hamilton?

After my divorce, I was very aware that I needed financial advice. My ex-husband had been the main breadwinner and dealt with the finances during our long marriage, so I really felt in the dark about my financial future.

Initially, I approached the financial advice firm we’d previously worked with in London, but I found their approach impersonal and patronising. A friend then recommended I speak to John.

At the time, I was finding it difficult to trust anyone outside a close circle of family and friends, but John put me in touch with some of his clients, who put my mind at rest.

How did we help?

I was fortunate in that I had assets following the divorce settlement. I just didn’t know how I should manage the investments I now had.

John’s service was the opposite of the city firm. He went out of his way to help and treated me as a person rather than a commodity. He showed a genuine interest in my story and in how I wanted to move forward in my life. He was clear about the steps I needed to take to remain financially independent and supported my career and further training decisions.

He organises my investments and pensions and I completely trust him to keep an eye on things. When I’m ready to retire, I know he’ll steer me in the right direction.

What’s been the benefit for you?

At a time when my life had been turned upside down, John became an important source of advice and support, someone I genuinely felt had my best interests at heart.

Knowing my financial affairs were in order helped me ride the difficult divorce years and resume the independence and self-reliance I’d enjoyed before I married. I’m now leading a completely different life with a new partner, and John feels like a family friend.