Case Study: Personal, practical advice provides peace of mind

After relocating to Cumbria from Glasgow, David and Christine Carnegie were keen to find a local, trusted adviser.

Following recommendations from their neighbours and after doing some online research, they contacted Steve Shovlin of Armstrong Watson Financial Planning.

Steve is a Chartered Financial Planning Consultant with more than 25 years’ experience. He works with a diverse portfolio of clients, from business owners to retirees, each with their own unique goals and circumstances.

Christine, 77, said:  “We wanted someone closer to home, someone we could actually sit down with. I phoned up and said we’d like Steve Shovlin to give us a ring when he can. He phoned us back that night and said I’ll come and see you tomorrow.”

Since becoming clients in November last year, David and Christine have met with Steve several times, building a relationship based on trust, clarity, and genuine care. Steve reviewed their portfolio and made adjustments to better suit their risk profile and retirement goals, while helping to increase their tax efficiency. David said: 

"We got more information from Steve in the first month than we did from our previous adviser in over a year. That was really important to us - having someone whom you could get on the telephone, and we didn’t have to wait months on end for an answer."

Before settling in Bridge of Wear, near Glasgow in 2001, the couple had previously lived and worked in Cumbria for 20 years. David, a retired farming vet, was a senior partner in Capontree Veterinary Surgery, while Christine ran an interior design business, Olsen Design, in Carlisle.

They are now enjoying the retirement they worked hard for. Having previously owned homes in France and Portugal, they share a love of travel and continue to explore new parts of the world.

With David having previously taken the lead on their financial planning, Christine wanted to feel more confident and informed, with a greater understanding of their finances. Steve has made that possible.

“He’s always explained everything so well,” said Christine. “As I get older, if something happens to David, I need to have someone who can help. Steve ticks all the boxes. He’s transparent, helpful, and has a great sense of humour—we can have a laugh about things.

“I felt right away, from day one, he was easy and friendly, I could speak to him about anything.”

For David, the biggest achievement over the past year has been the sense of security. “Peace of mind is the main thing,” he said. “That’s very important to us at our age. It hasn’t made us make big life-changing decisions, but it’s given us comfort. Steve’s only a few miles away, and that’s a big plus for us. We’ve got someone we can communicate with easily, and his reputation is good.”

Steve values the close relationships he’s built with clients over the years. “For me, understanding what matters most to them—beyond just products and returns—is at the heart of good financial planning,” he said.

“David and Christine are an absolute pleasure to work with. They’re open, engaged, and genuinely interested in learning, while also being receptive to advice. Our meetings are always filled with laughter, which I believe is just as important as the financial discussions. I look forward to continuing to support them for many years to come.”