Exceptional pension transfer service
If you are looking for professionalism and integrity in pension management, Cameron James is the firm to trust. I worked with them on a Nationwide pension transfer, and the service was flawless.
Chris Brown is an exceptional advisor. His professionalism and engagement was top-tier. Equally, CEO Dominic Murray’s oversight ensures the firm operates with a level of transparency and care that is rare in the industry.
What could have been a stressful process was made seamless by their partnership-driven approach. I cannot recommend Chris and Dominic highly enough for their expertise and dedication.
Date of experience: 01 May, 2026
DB Pension transfer advice.
Outstanding service. Took time to get to know me and my family and thoroughly understand my needs. Explained everything in a very simple way.
Made the whole process from start to finish an enjoyable experience.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning
Appreciated Richard,
It was a pleasure to getting to know you and your families needs.
There is no one size fits all when it comes to getting authorised DB pension advice. Everyone's situation is different, which can makes schemes more 'gold-plated' for some members than others.
You had clearly done lots of homework and research before reaching out, which allowed us to cover lots of ground in a short space of time.
Laurent Cabache2026.02.10
As soon as I contacted Jonathan Laws at Cameron James, he replied with exactly the information I needed to deal with my query. I look forward to working with him in the near future
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning
Hi Laurent,
Thank you very much for leaving me a review, much appreciated, especially when we have not yet fully started working together.
I wish you the best with the US/UK tax advisors we have put you in touch with, and look forward to working with you in the future, should the need arise once you have sorted your tax planning.
Kind regards,
Jonathan
Maria McCall2026.02.02
I recently spoke to Chris Brown in regards to my pension. He was very helpful and knowledgeable and able to give me options on my pension. Thank you and very grateful, Maria
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning
Hi Maria,
Many thanks for your kind words. As explained DB schemes are complicated to deal with. But hopefully from the conversation we had, you have a better understanding and have a better idea of what to do with the scheme.
Take care,
Chris
Catherine2026.01.30
I contacted Cameron James in July 2025 to ask whether they could help me transfer a defined benefit pension. I was subsequently called by Chris Brown, who provided me with invaluable advice.
Although Chris was unable to assist me personally, he took the time to explain my situation clearly and generously shared his knowledge, despite having nothing to gain from the conversation. He also recommended two companies that were better placed to help, both of which turned out to be excellent and I ultimately appointed one of them.
Until my conversation with Chris, I was close to tearing my hair out trying to understand defined benefit pensions (something I didn’t even realise I had until I began looking into transferring an old company pension). I had already contacted numerous financial advisers, all to no avail. Chris was friendly, patient and extremely knowledgeable and he explained everything in a way that was easy for a non-financial person to understand.
Transferring a DB pension is a long and complex process, but yesterday (29 January 2026) my pension was finally transferred to Scottish Widows. I genuinely don’t think I would have managed to get this resolved at a reasonable cost — or at all — without Chris’s guidance on who to contact.
Although I didn’t work with him directly, based on this experience I have no doubt that Chris would be empathetic, transparent and excellent at explaining complex financial matters to his clients. I’m extremely grateful for his help and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Cameron James on the strength of this interaction alone.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning2026.02.05
Hi Catherine,
Great to hear from you again and that you eventually got this resolved. As you said dealing with DB schemes can be a complicated and long process but really pleased that the call we had was useful and my guidance has got you to a positive result.
Regards,
Chris
Kūsōka2026.01.13
Dylan took care of my whole financial life- investments, pension, life insurance. The works.
All really clearly, cleanly, quickly and smoothly. Highly recommended.
Excellent at DB to DC conversions. Utterly reckless at portfolio management. He (not "they" -- it's just one guy who has now relocated to the Far East, plus admin support) cost me about £350,000 with unauthorised, ultra-high-risk gambling. DO NOT under any circumstances repeat my mistakes. And if he could do it all over again, he would - he refuses to admit he screwed up. Allow me to explain.
They worked long hours to get my DB to DC conversion done. I appreciated that. We then verbally agreed that my money would be in beta-of-1 index funds -- exactly what Warren Buffet and every other reputable investor recommends. And at first, they were. But then without consulting me, as I was heading to Peru for several months of backpacking, Dominic moved 70% of my pot into 2 ultra-high-risk, ultra unstable funds. He never discussed it with me at all. I assumed these were index funds as we had agreed. I should have paid closer attention instead of trusting him. This was a shift from sensible investing into ultra-high-risk gambling, and it went bad. Really bad. Who does that with 70% of an already-retired-person's pot? Only someone who is either crazy, or unethically compensated.
He now claims he had my explicit consent, but he's lying. Go ahead Dominic, show me the e-mails where we ever discussed this. Show me the DocuSigns. I have all our e-mails on file. But like an idiot, I had signed a contract empowering him to change my investments without informing me, anytime some roulette-wheel fund incentivises him to do so. Don't repeat my mistake.
By the time I got home from backpacking and belatedly saw the damage done, I thought "ok, these funds are cyclical, don't panic and sell out at the bottom, just wait for them to come back up". They didn't come back up. Ever. In 2024 Dominic defended his decisions by saying "actually, those two funds are creeping back up again, they're only about 20% below where I bought you into them". So Dominic thinks a 20% negative return from 2021-24 (when index funds were booming) was praiseworthy performance. If you disagree, don't empower him to make investment decisions for you.
I later changed our arrangement so Dominic DID need my approval for every decision, but that was way too late. And when he subsequently demanded that I refer my friends and family so he can ruin their futures, too, I finally fired him.
As further evidence of Dominic's recklessness, consider my first drawdown. In January 2023, I told him I wanted to fully use my 0% tax band, so it MUST be done by 5 April. Weeks went by, nothing was happening. I chased him, again and again. Finally he told me he had decided to insist (without discussing it with me) on doing the drawdown with zero PAYE withholding, and he would risk missing the deadline if necessary. AJ Bell (the fund manager) told him repetaedly that that's illegal. I told him "This is stupid, PAYE doesn't matter. I'll file a return on 6 April and get it all back. Just get this DONE!". I finally had to scream at him to get it done hours before deadline.
So, use him for DB to DC conversation is you like. NEVER allow him to make investment decisions on your behalf without your express consent.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning2025.08.06
Hi Loren,
Thanks for your review, DB transfers are rather complicated so we appreciate your compliments, I will pass them onto the team.
You locked in an almost record high CETV which clients contacting us now would bite our hand off for. Credit to yourself for your research on UK Gilt rates and the inverse relationship with CETVs and reaching out to us.
Onto the matter at hand, your two-star dissatisfaction.
Google Review, 5th August 2025
"Excellent at DB to DC conversions. Utterly reckless at portfolio management.
They worked long hours to get my DB to DC conversion done. I appreciated that. We then agreed in principle that my portfolio would gave a beta of 1, i.e. index funds. While I was off backpacking and not paying attention, they switched 70% of my portfolio into ultra-high-risk, ultra-volatile funds. I was 56 years old at the time and already retired. Who makes an utterly reckless decision like that? I lost several hundred thousand pounds and my retirement is over. Use them for DB to DC pension conversions, but do NOT allow them to make ANY investment decisions without your active participation."
Disappointing day for me as CEO & Founder. While I knew it would be almost impossible not to receive a one or two-star Google review one day, it still hurts! A small consolation, is that it has come in the 9th year of the company.
Loren, we fully appreciate your frustration. No investor ever wishes to see their portfolio go down, and it is not a good feeling.
However, some statements you have made are not factual. For example, saying your portfolio was switched while "off backpacking and not paying attention" is not only false, but not even possible. We are not a DFM, portfolio changes require your signature, as you know.
To say performance went down during your backpacking trip may be true, but it is not true that switches or anything happened without your knowledge.
You gave credit for excellent work of our team for the DB Transfer. However, I think your review would be more balanced, if credit was given for the good financial advice we tried to provide that you declined.
NB: I would not normally make reference to any amounts, but you already referenced several hundred thousand pounds.
We strongly advised against any knee-jerk or strategic decision to liquidate an entire portfolio to cash during the Trump Tariffs market sell-off.
As we know that trying to time the markets is almost impossible. It is time in the markets that is counts. However, we must always action any requests from clients as it is their money.
Ignoring our advice cost you several hundred thousands. As the S&P500 rallied strongly, including a 9.52% increase to 5,456.90 on 09.04.2025, a few days after your account was liquidated to cash on your instruction. Making such a decision “locked in” those losses, which now would have all recovered and reached even higher levels. A loss is only a loss if you sell, and you had no rationale to do so.
Cameron James did not predict that historic rally. Nobody knows where the markets will go. But periods of high downward volatility are often followed by sharp rebounds. Zero Cameron James clients liquidated their portfolio during the Trump market crash on our advice. As such, no paper losses turned into physical losses. Which in my opinion is not “reckless at portfolio management”.
I appreciate from your side, you may have felt the trust had been lost in our relationship by then. However, if you’ve held your portfolio as per my advice during the Trump market crash, it would now be worth several hundred thousand pounds more and the losses you reference would be much lower, if not gone.
If there is anything further you would like to discuss or go over, you have my Calendly link to book an appointment any time, otherwise my email and mobile are always open to you now and in the future.
Dominic James Murray (Founder & CEO)
Paul Drury2025.12.23
My experience working with Jonathan has been exceptional. He demonstrates all the attributes of someone who builds immediate trust with his clients, through being curious and attentive, always available, and never letting an issue lapse. I couldn't recommend him highly enough.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning
Hi Paul,
Thank you very much for your review.
It has been a pleasure working with you and helping you get your International SIPP back on track after a "poor" experience with another US adviser, and it has been great to be a able assist you with sorting things out and reviewing your wider financial planning.
Looking forward to working together in the years to come.
Kind regards,
Jonathan
Joshua Rafferty2025.12.22
Had a very helpful call with Dylan Baker. The advice he gave was clear, actionable, and genuine. I'd recommend without reservation.
An exceptionally useful phone consultation, with Dylan. He explained everything really clearly, with useful examples so I could understand, despite my complete lack of knowledge about pensions etc. I felt very assured by his advice and I have next steps to begin the process. Very grateful for his help and knowledge.
Extremely useful meeting with Dylan Baker, of Cameron James to explain and advise me on the complex subject of bi-lateral agreements between the EU and the UK on pension rules and regulations.
Dylan was very knowledgeable and clear with the advice he provided and enabled me to proceed with my retirement planning with confidence.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning2025.12.19
Hi Ray!
Thanks for the kind words and for getting in touch! Pension planning can be a complex minefield, exacerbated by your successful career spanning multiple geographical locations. I’m glad I could provide clarity at an uncertain time.
Dylan
arewhyehen12025.12.15
I had a consultation with Dylan Baker which was very helpful. I entered the consultation, without a finance plan and over whelmed about future options. Dylan explained everything very clearly, and went above and beyond with his help and guidance. I left the consultation with a much better understanding and a clear plan to work towards. I appreciate the good, honest advice and would advise others who are just starting their financial planning journey to have a conversation with Dylan.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for the review! Building a financial plan and knowing where & when to look when it comes to pension planning is difficult at the best of times. Your cross border residency scenario makes this especially complex so well done for taking the leap and reaching out.
Dylan & CJ
Pam Parkes2025.12.09
My husband chose Cameron James as our preferred IFA shortly before his death and I am so grateful he did. Jonathan Laws has been supportive, compassionate and patient with me in the dealing of not just my husbands Pensions but also my own. I could not have coped without him or the people in the Support and Transfer teams. In addition my investments are performing very well.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning2025.12.10
Hi Pam
Thank you for such lovely words.
Yes, you have been through the wars in recent years, and it has been a great pleasure in trying to assist you through all of this, during what has been a very emotional period for you. I am glad your husband put his faith in me and Cameron James, and that you are now doing the same, and I am looking forward to helping you plan ahead for the future, whatever it may bring!
Kind regards
Jonathan
Gordonh Ferguson2025.12.04
Very happy with Jonathan. He handled my pension transfer professionally and speedily. He gave good financial advice and is available to talk at short notice.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning2025.12.05
Hi Gordon
Thank you for the kind words. It has been an absolute pleasure working with yourself and your children over the past several months, and very happy we could help you plan around the pitfalls that can occur when Brits move to the US, and even more exotic locales for some! Especially around UK pensions and investment accounts left in the UK, like ISA's and GIA's, even when looked after by an FCA adviser.
Very much looking forward to helping you all plan around and spend all this hard-earned money in your new forever homes stateside.
Kind regards,
Jonathan
David Jackson2025.12.04
Speaking as a former IFA for 20 years, I can honestly say Cameron James (CJ) & my advisor, Jonathan Laws are Champions League standard when it comes to International financial advice!
I got the best advice going with very competitive & transparent charges for both my QROPS and my investment BOND.
Jonathan has extensive investment & procedure knowledge, he gets the job done & how you want it, it recommend CJ for all your International financial needs.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning2025.12.05
Hi David,
Thank you very much for those incredibly positive comments. I am hoping you are referencing the quality of the Champions League knock-out stages and not the million team group stage format they have nowadays.
Yes, also nice to work with someone who has things a bit differently. Not many QROPS we advise these days, nor did we advise many back when they were the toast of the expat advice town. But every so often we come across people, such as yourself, in that unique position where offshore structures are ideal.
Then you couple that with incredible thorough, transparent and great value fee-based advice, and then you are on to a winner!
Looking forward to the many years ahead working together.
Kind regards,
Jonathan
Rob Davie2025.12.04
Very professional and attentive. Johnathan Laws is first class. I highly recommend this firm
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning2025.11.25
Thanks for the kind words Adrian. Much appreciated! Exploring your financial planning options, especially from scratch & as an expat, can often be a daunting task so well done for taking the first step. Dylan & CJ
Joe Keown2025.10.22
Fantastic company to work for, led by CEO Dominic. Have been researching moving my Defined Benefit for 5 years and they were the only company brave enough to take on the challenge! Free initial consultation, biweekly updates and great communication with me and my scheme. The end result? A successful transfer after 3 months. Fantastic work by Dominic and his team.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning2025.10.23
Thanks Joe! Great energy in your review. Much appreciated and after our Onboarding Call on Tuesday I shared your warm words directly with the relevant teams. The bi-weekly updates are a process I implemented about 4-years ago, and it has been a game changer.
It takes some work across the whole company, but helps clients know exactly where their DB Pension Transfer is at. Which as you know includes many scheme hoops to get through. Credit also goes to yourself, you were on it with the paperwork and got everything back to us fast.
Anybody reading this may find it difficult to believe, but a 3-month transfer timeline for a DB pension is the equivalent of an Usain Bolt finish, in this crazy red-tape world of DBs.
Look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your retirement goals.
Dominic James Murray (CEO & Founder)
Augustine Ngwa2025.10.17
I was researching options on the internet how best to maximise the return on my UK pension and came across Cameron James. I contacted them and Dylan Barker got back to me. In our first engagements, he listened to all my requirements and expectation and proceeded with a thorough run through of all the options, the pros and cons without turning it into a sales pitch. Dylan is an SME on pension and financial matters and know how to explain it in layman's terms. I'm super excited with the quality of service that I'm getting from the team and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for advice on pension and finiancial matter
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning2025.10.19
Hi Gus,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience.
It’s been a real pleasure getting to know you and helping you explore the best options for your UK pension as a non-UK resident.
I’m delighted to hear that you’ve found our discussions clear and valuable — that’s exactly the approach we aim for at Cameron James. Dylan & CJ
lee2025.10.09
I spoke with Paul from CJ and he was very helpful and explained things in an easy to follow manner.
They seem to be a reputable company and I would recommend giving them a call when looking to transfer your pension.
Reply from Cameron James - UK & Expat Financial Planning2025.10.20
Hi Lee, your feedback is much appreciated. Here at Cameron James, I teach our IFA Team that every client who gets in contact should have a positive outcome. Whether that be transferring a pension or not, our job is to help them be in a more informed and educated position after speaking with us.
Regards,
Dominic Murray (CEO & Founder)
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