HAPPY CLIENTS
What our clients say
Our clients are professionals, retirees and owners of small to medium enterprises. Here's what they say about us.
Richard & Julie
business owners - trauma claim recipients.
We were recommended to James Cruz 12 years ago for his expertise with Income Protection Insurance. As business owners it was critical that we had a good policy which would see our business overheads and personal expenses covered in the event of a major life event.
It was comforting to know that we had this policy when such an event occurred and also to know that James was there to help us navigate every step of the way. We had no direct contact with the Insurer as James handled every aspect of the claim for us.
We were thrilled when the claim was approved within 5 days and paid out within 14 days of providing the appropriate medical report. This was due to James having everything in order.
James has always been very professional yet personal and easy to talk to over the course of our 12 year working relationship.
Many thanks for the great outcome you achieved for us.
Paddy & Jeanette Vout
farmers - casino(farmers never retire.)
Evolution Financial Planning was recommended to us by a friend about 10 years ago.
When we first meet James we were very pleased and at ease with the professionalism & ideas he presented about the future of our financial needs moving forward.
We had no idea really of how to go about what a retirement plan would look like, however we did want the best advice and to know that our finances would be managed correctly. That was where James was there to help and in James’ words ‘’ he would do all the work so we didn’t have to.” He really does have our best interests at heart. We consolidated our Super accounts, an investment property was sold and James worked towards setting up Superannuation accounts that would meet our needs.
We cannot speak highly enough about James and we are so thankful to have him as our Financial adviser. He is courteous, professional and a really nice person.
Our minds rest easy knowing we have James looking out for our financial future… thank you James, Karen and staff.
BOB Lane
Retired General Insurance Broker and greyhound caller
James Cruz was recommended to me by a fellow worker over ten years ago. During my time with James I have always felt at ease when speaking with James and/or his wonderful staff. I find you get an honest answer to questions raised together with a full explanation. My portfolio was designed, put in place and managed by James and staff. I continue to be very happy with my dealings with James and staff and have been more than happy over the years to recommend friends to them. For a business to operate as does Evolution Financial everyone is a winner.
Before engaging with the team at Evolution Financial Planning, our Financial Planning matters were disjointed and not aligned to our retirement goals.
We were introduced to the firm through mutual friends who were happy with the advice and service they had received from James Cruz. They were able to consolidate our affairs and provide a structure and process that we were really comfortable with. Their flat fee linked to an ongoing service arrangement has really lightened my concerns about retirement and we feel really confident that our needs are being met.
TONY AND DEL MITCHELL
RETIRED LAW PROFESSIONALS
We have been clients of James Cruz even before Evolution Financial Planning commenced. James’ financial advice has always been first rate. We have found James to be honest, straightforward and diligent.
Thanks to James’ investment advice we have retired financially successful and look forward to a lifetime relationship with James and Evolution Financial Planning.
In my view James is one of the first to have truly mastered fee-based, ethical financial planning advice in Australia.
There are very few financial planners in Australia who have taken such a proactive approach on these issues. James is an excellent business-person who will always put his clients' interests ahead of his own.
CLARE GIBSON
TEACHER AND BUSINESS OWNER
Twenty years ago I transferred my superannuation fund to Evolution Financial Planning.
Due to solid financial strategies and consistent reviews, my fund is in a strong position to move into retirement.
During these years I encouraged my sons to join Evolution Financial Planning as they went to university and joined the workforce.
This has been most beneficial to them as they received good advice from the outset.
James and Karen Cruz have at all times been available to consult with me and my family. They have given their time and expert advice with two uncommon qualities these days, compassion and good manners!!!.
I am honoured to recommend Evolution Planning.
We have been working with James for a few years now and are thoroughly pleased with his service and our only regret is that we didn’t start earlier!
I am a bit of an over-analyser but James patiently listens to all of my “but what if’s?”. He explains things clearly (often more than once), and he doesn't push us or suggest actions that are beyond our level of comfort.
We trust him and we know that he is truly concerned about our financial future. We see this as a long term relationship and we feel safer knowing that he is keeping an eye on us!
We have used James Cruz at Evolution Planning for our financial advice for over 6 years. James has listened carefully to our goals, accommodated our investment style, and calmly steered us through the worst (I hope) of the GFC.
James’ service and expertise extends far beyond simple financial advice and management. He regularly reviews our insurances, succession plans, wills, and investment organisation. Evolution provides an excellent on line document storage facility, so copies of all important records including investment reports, wills and personal documents are easily accessible, should they be required.
James has always responded to enquiries promptly, and has been available for regular meetings at our home or office.
Overall, we are more than happy with the services of Evolution Planning, not only for financial advice and succession planning, but also for assessment and advice regarding some of life’s other important issues.
JOHN AND SHIRLEY LEON
RETIRED FARMERS AND TEACHERS
We investigated several managed super funds and financial advisers prior to 2005. Then James Cruz was recommended to us by an accountant friend. We were delighted to find someone who was easy to talk to and who had all the qualifications needed to help us run a Self Managed Super Fund.
From the outset, James took time to explain the concepts and structures of running a SMSF and was totally open about every aspect of his business and what he offered to his clients.
He is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about investment and retirement planning. He tailored his professional service to what we needed and felt comfortable with. We were soon very much at ease with him steering our funds to provide the best retirement for us.
He regularly reviews, and has responded to, changes in our circumstances and our attitudes to risk, and discusses openly any suggestions or concerns which we bring up. He welcomes our input and we have an excellent relationship with James and Karen.
We enjoy our visits to the Evolution Financial office. Our knowledge about financial matters has increased over the years as our SMSF has flourished under James’ management. James combines a friendly personal relationship with a diligent professional investment service for his clients.
Now in retirement we feel secure and at ease and we don’t hesitate to recommend Evolution Financial Planning.
Colin and Julie Lee
Business proprietors / retirees
The most important decision when retiring for Julie and I was the evaluation of who can best manage our savings so that we could lead a comfortable lifestyle for the future and maintain our financial requirements.
Thankfully James had been recommended by a valued client and after our introductory meeting we felt comfortable in the knowledge that James had a perfect understanding of our needs. It also meant a lot to us that James who owned the business, would be our advisor and importantly was our contact if we had any queries or questions he would be on hand to answer them.
Over the seven years we have been clients we are always impressed by the way we have been treated by James and his staff. The office is a happy professional environment to visit and we always come away confident that James and his staff have our financial needs under control in our best interests.
I have been pleased to have recommended a number of people to James Cruz and they have all enjoyed similar experiences as Julie and I.
Robyn Beck
Teacher / Retiree
I was introduced to Mr James Cruz 4 years ago through recommendations from family and professional acquaintances.
I met James at a time when I required open, honest and professional advice regarding my superannuation options as retirement was pending, and being a single parent I required the best advice and practical help possible.
Being a person not familiar with financial jargon and investment strategies, I required a financial adviser/planner who was very patient and who would make me feel confident in the process of setting up my financial future. James Cruz met this criteria for me.
To enable me to invest my superannuation funds most wisely meant funds had to be retrieved from State Super by a particular date. A problem arose and funds were deposited into the wrong account making it almost impossible for my funds to be invested on time. James worked tirelessly to correct this mishap for me… even offering to drive to Brisbane to personally invest the funds required. I felt this was far and beyond the assignment of a financial planner. James was prepared to go to any lengths to help me.
I feel confident that James is forever vigilant with my investments, he keeps me informed, I can phone and speak to him when required… and I know he cares for me and my family.
James Cruz was recommended to us by a family member. I have dealt with Evolution Financial Planning for over 10 years. James and his team have always been polite and very helpful.
James is always available and ready to provide honest advice and direction.
Evolution Financial Planning recommended BT life for my income insurance and I had an accident in February which the insurance company has paid me an income within 30 days after the accident.
I would recommend BT Life and Evolution Financial Planning to all of my family and friends.
Lurline and Harold Harding
Retirees
We would sincerely like to recommend James and his team as a financial planner. Since joining Evolution Financial Planning we have been pleased with the recommendations they have made for us, and the results from them.
Joy McDonald
Retiree
Just a short note to say many thanks for your help and counsel over the past years.
I do so appreciate your care and advise which you freely give me regularly. Your organising and handling of my will and subsequent trusts took a great load from my mind.
I so love that I can ring you at any time and ask questions that you always answer happily and without reserve.
Karen and your staff are also very amicable whenever I call. They too have my ongoing thanks. I guess I look upon you as friends as well as my trusted and respected advisors.
You have attended to my welfare and needs right from the beginning, at a time when I thought I could never manage. Your attention to my finances then,as well as now, was and is "above and beyond the call of duty".
Thank you so much James.
John and Connie D'Anna
Transport operator and teacher
We have been extremely happy with the financial advice and the friendly, supportive manner in which we are treated at Evolution Financial Planning.
Carney and Ellen Goodger
Retirees
We have been with James Cruz Evolution Financial Planning since Rick Rutten from One Path joined his team.
During that period we have found James and his staff to be trustworthy, reliable and open to discussion in all aspects of our investment procedures.
We feel free to talk and discuss any financial arrangements at any time. James arranges open days with guest speakers to keep us abreast of finance, which is often volatile on the stock exchange. Despite this on the whole returns have been satisfactory on our investments.
We would have no hesitation in recommending James Cruz, his staff and Evolution Planning to any of our friends or associates to call in to consider investment advice from his firm.
D.S.
IT industry professional
James at Evolution Financial Planning has been invaluable to our family in analyzing our situation, discussing our long term goals, and preparing a sound strategic plan. He reviewed our situation very thoroughly, identifying elements that could be changed, explaining why, and suggesting valid alternatives.
Due to the complexity of our situation, this involved a lot of preparation work, but we always felt we received his full attention. His resulting advice was very sound and logical, explained in details, and we felt it fit our needs. We also appreciated that his advice and expectations were realistic.
After the initial analysis and plan, James followed through with persistence and attention to detail, and tirelessly dealing with external providers, exceeding our expectations.
We regularly meet with James to review our plan, discuss how things are going, and decide on any changes. Besides this, he and the entire team are always available to answer quick questions and provide information as needed.
We are very happy with the business relationship we have established with Evolution Financial Planning, and highly recommend their service.
Dallas and Carol
Retirees
We have been clients of Evolution Financial Planning since April 2013.
We have always found James (Cruz) and his staff to be very kind, thoughtful and pleasant. Their work is always done to a high degree of accuracy and thoroughness.
I am legally blind and James and his staff are unstinting in their efforts to be helpful in every way possible. This is very much appreciated by myself and my wife.
Chris Leon
Company director
I've had the pleasure of working closely with James Cruz of Evolution Financial Planning for well over a decade.
He advises me on my Self Managed Super Fund and operates the platform used to run the fund. I have found the ASGARD platform very easy to use, accurate and up to date in a very volatile market.
I like James' fee for service model which stands in sharp contrast with the percentage of assets invested model which I've dealt with in the past and didn't like.
James is part of a small and effective financial services network in the Northern Rivers which ensures that the administration of my Super Fund is run seamlessly.
James has proven to be both flexible and patient as my needs have changed and the many changes in regulation have swept through the industry. He ensures that my strategy is up to date and aligned with both my needs and the best practice in the industry.
Barry and Rhoda Lampard
Retirees
Rhoda and I are more than happy with the advice & service offered by you since joining Evolution Financial Planning. We should also mention the prompt attention we receive from Emma & Karen in your office.
I have been with James from the commencement of his business. I first met James in my previous employment and found him to be a straight talker, honest and professional and as such when he told me he was starting Evolution Financial Planning I had no hesitation in shifting my Superannuation business across to him.
I have recommended a number of people to James and Evolution Financial Planning and will continue to do so without any hesitation.
I have only ever found James to be professional, honest and a true friend in guiding me to a financially sound retirement.