About Mark
Financial Adviser and Managing Director
About Mark
I am an Independent Financial Adviser providing individuals and corporate clients with expert investment and independent financial advice. I serve a loyal and broad client base located across Andover, Newbury, Winchester, Marlborough, Salisbury and everywhere in between.
I am supported by an expert team at 2plan wealth management, which is a financial services company providing compliance, research and administrative support. This enables me to focus on servicing my clients’ needs. My ethos is to provide clients with clear, unbiased, financial advice with a special focus on investment portfolios, Inheritance Tax (IHT) reduction, retirement and pre-retirement planning.
Very importantly, I provide truly independent advice; this means that I’m not tied to particular products or providers, so I can always offer the widest range of products and services available. My investment service provides solutions to all of the major financial challenges in life and is built on an understanding of each client. No two financial plans are ever the same, and I don’t believe in ‘one-size-fits-all’. Whether you’re saving for school fees, or growing and protecting your wealth, I know that managing investments in today’s changing world can be complicated and time-consuming, so this service gives my clients great peace of mind.
Continuity is another important element, so a key part of my service is regular financial and investment reviews. This enables my clients to remain confident that their financial plans continue to match their ongoing and changing needs. I work towards the highest professional standards. As well as being an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA), I undertake continual professional development to ensure my knowledge is always up to date.
I live in Hampshire with my wife and dogs. When I’m not helping people with their finances, I can often be found ‘making shapes on the dance floor’ as a Modern Jive or Ballroom dancer or, on stage as part of a musical theatre group. I’m also known by my friends to be a snappy dresser, cyclist, paramotor pilot, intrepid traveller, all when I get the chance!
Personally
Likes:
- Long distance cycling
- Swimming
- Films, TV & theatre
- Friends
- Good food
- Amateur dramatics and musical theatre
- Paramotoring
Dislikes:
- Slow responses
- Spam emails
- Indifference
- Mobile speed cameras
- Any plants with thorns – they attack me!
- Potholes
- Diets
Credentials
Do not do business with a financial planner, financial adviser or investment adviser, or broker without first verifying their credentials. Mark’s credentials can be viewed below.
- SPS: A Statement of Professional Standing is a requirement for practicing retail investment advisers. It confirms that Mark has:
- Successfully completed an FCA approved Level 4 qualification, such as the Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipPFS®)
- Completed annual CPD that meets FCA requirements
- Acted in accordance with FCA fit and proper standards and our Code of Ethics
- An appropriate CF30 Active status on the FCA register
Click here to view Mark’s SPS
- FCA Register: The Financial Services Register is a public record that shows details of firms, individuals and other bodies that are, or have been, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). You can search the Register to find out whether a firm you plan to do business with is authorised by the FCA or PRA, or is exempt. Click here to see Templegate Financial Planning’s listing on the FCA Register.
Mark in the spotlight
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On an ideal weekend, you can find me:
"In the countryside on my bike, or having a meal with friends."
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My favourite holiday destination is:
"Africa."
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My favourite song to play in the car is:
"Always look on the bright side of life."
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The first album I bought was:
"Boney M, Love for Sale."
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If I could be any fictional character, I would be:
"The ultimate, Superman."
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My pet peeve is:
"People eating popcorn or similar at the cinema during the film."
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The best gift I’ve ever received is:
"Meeting my wife."
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The three people at my dream dinner party would be:
"Billy Connolly, Lee Evans & Julia Roberts."
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The three small things that make my day better are:
"IT working, arriving on time, no stress."
Helping you plan for today, tomorrow and the unexpected
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We were looking to do Equity Release initially, this requiring specialist advice. As we were progressing with this process, we realised that Mark could offer us professional advice in other financial areas. Mark was able to guide us through the Equity Release process with success. I have just bought a lifetime annuity with Mark’s help. He explained everything simply but thoroughly, handled all the forms and “bumpf”, and was able to get me a good deal. Along the way he has given us ideas as to investments and savings which we will action in the future with his help. We had an excellent result re the Equity Release, and I am very happy with the pension deal. Nothing. He knows his stuff.
I have found Mark at Templegate to be open, honest and really helpful. Mark has provided pension and ISA advice primarily although our informal discussions have included tax and wider investment choices. I’m looking forward to working with Mark over the coming years. He has been clear and open regarding fees and products and flexible around meetings either in person or over the phone.
My wife and I had reached a certain age and were at a point in life when we felt we needed a guiding hand to manage the financial options for our future. Mark gave us candid advice in a simple and straightforward manner that we could understand. It helped us make the decisions we had long been postponing, for which we were extremely grateful.
My wife and I met with Mark to discuss Equity Release. From the outset Mark was professional in his approach and put us at ease. The advice he gave was clear and concise and he explained our options in detail and in a manner that was easy to understand.
1. What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser? I wanted a good income protection plan. 2. How has Mark Bastable helped you? He helped me get some income protection plans with great price. 3. Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for? Yes. 4. In what circumstances would you recommend Mark to a family member, friend or colleague? I would consider recommending them to anyone who expressed a need to speak to an adviser. 5. Did you read reviews of your adviser on VouchedFor.co.uk before becoming a client? No, I didn't read reviews. 6. Has Mark asked you to refer / recommend them to people you know? No 7. How were your circumstances discussed as part of the process? They listened to my circumstances, and I felt they fully understood them. 8. How comfortable did you feel discussing sensitive personal information through the process? I felt quite comfortable. 9. How confident are you that Mark found you the most suitable insurance / protection policy for you? Confident. 10. How confident are you that you understand the impact of your circumstances on your policy? I have some understanding of how my circumstances impact the premium and/or exclusions on my policy. 11. How did Mark and their firm earn money from working with you? They earn commission on the policy from the provider, which does not impact the premium. 12. Would you still be able to make a claim on your insurance if you don’t keep up your payments? No. 13. Do you have a policy that provides a payment if you were to pass away (Life Insurance policy)? Yes, taken out privately. 14. Do you have a policy that provides a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a life changing illness? (Critical Illness Cover) Yes, taken out privately. 15. Do you have a policy that provides an income if you are off sick? (Income Protection policy) Yes, taken out through Mark and/or their firm. 16. When would you next prefer to review your protection needs? Not sure. 17. How would you prefer to kick-off the next review of your protection needs? I would prefer my protection adviser to contact me. 18. Did you ever have to chase the adviser or their team to get things done through the process? Never. 19. How responsive was the adviser / their team? Very responsive. 20. How easy was it to share documents with your adviser / their team? Very easy 21. How do you engage with the correspondence you receive from Mark and/or their firm? I quickly look for the most important parts. 22. How clear is the correspondence you receive from Mark and/or their firm? Clear.
1. What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser? In 2015 we wanted to find and advisor who we could trust to give good independent advice to safeguard our investments. 2. How has Mark Bastable helped you? We have remained with Mark since 2015 which should indicate the trust and confidence that we have continued to place in his advice. Mark is always approachable and is always prepared to spend time on research before giving appropriate advice. 3. Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for? We are investing for the long term and to date our investments have shown that we are in safe hands. 4. What could they have done better? Nothing
My wife and I have used the services of Mark for many years. We have always found him to be completely honest and trustworthy and he has guided us professionally with any requests that we have made. His advice is always thorough and he has helped us to make sound investments and plan for our retirement. We would definitely recommend Mark.
Mark’s advice to us as first-time buyers was invaluable. He was friendly, professional, always contactable and extremely efficient, providing advice about suitable mortgages, solicitor recommendations and life insurance policies. Would highly recommend!
I have known Mark for many years now. Throughout he has been trustworthy and very patient with my questions. Over the years my needs have changed but I can still rely on Mark to find the right product for me. I am very happy with his services.
What could Mark have done better? Can’t think of anything. What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser? When I left a corporate company and needed to organise a private pension. How has Mark helped you? In every aspect of my private pension and savings. Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for? Yes absolutely. I would have made some bad choices without Mark’s advice
Mark has provided us with financial advice for many years with particular focus on pensions, ISAs and reducing our inheritance tax liability. We have no hesitation in recommending him.
Mark has been our financial adviser for several years and continues to offer an excellent level of guidance and support. Specifically, he has helped with mortgage and investment advice taking into consideration our long term retirement objectives. We continue to use Mark's services as he understands our financial circumstances and explains how best to achieve our future goals. The advice Mark provides continues to keep us informed and we feel he is always looking at the best strategies to help our investment grow.
I contacted Mark for advice for the best use of an inheritance and my retirement plans. Mark was very informative and explained my options clearly and thoroughly. He responds quickly to any questions and is very customer focused.
Rating & Summary: Overall 5* Advice 5* Service 5* Value 5* What could they have done better? We have been very satisfied with Mark & Templegate Financial Planning's advice so far and thus from our knowledge we cannot really point to any suggestions or improvements What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser? Originally we took the opportunity of using Mark sometime ago to re-mortgage and invest some money which worked very well so later on when looking at forthcoming pensions and retirement in general Mark was a natural choice. How has Mark Bastable helped you? Mark has advised us on several Pensions and also our financial position for some time now and will do for the foreseeable future in trying to achieve the best balance for our retirement planning Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for? Mark had evaluated our positions and future aspirations before coming back with advice that should improve further on earlier investments going forward which is something very reassuring.
