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Donald Johnston

Financial Planning Consultant DipPFS,Certs CII (MP & ER) in Aberdeen

A little bit about Donald

I am a Diploma Qualified financial adviser with 30 years’ experience offering face to face advice to individuals and small businesses.

I focus on understanding each person’s unique family and financial situation to offer tailored solutions that suit your specific needs while managing those solutions with you thereafter.

I will take time to get to know you so I can provide financial solutions that a right for you.

Find out more about me below.

 

Start the conversation

Whether you want help getting your pension in a good place, or to ask me about any other financial need you might have, I’m here to help.
Contact me today

Graphic of women standing on piles of coins increasing in height

How can you boost your pension pot?

In the UK, there are around 3.3 million pension pots that are considered as ‘lost’, containing an average of around £9,500 per pot*. Nobody wants to be missing out on money they have built up in a pension, but there’s good news - this kind of financial hit is completely avoidable.

Here are three simple ways to make sure your pension is working its hardest for you.

1. Check up on it

This one might seem obvious, but it’s easy to lose track of your pension pots, where they are, and what they’re doing. If you make a note of your pension providers, and check your pot(s) regularly, you’re far less likely to lose one of them over time.

2. Look at your investment allocation

Your investment allocation is where and how you’re investing your pension. Often, people will just use their pension provider’s default setting. But this might not actually be right for your retirement goals and risk profile. So, it’s a good idea to revisit this every few years.

3. Bump it up

If you’ve had a windfall recently, like a pay rise, bonus, or inheritance, putting a portion of it into your pension is a good idea. Not only is it tax-efficient, but you’ll be glad when your retirement comes around.

As an adviser, my role is to help you get all of this done simply, with all the facts and information you need. That might be helping you review your risk profile, consolidating old pension pots, or making a plan to help you retire early. Investing can help your money grow over time, but the value of investments can go down as well as up.

If that sounds good to you, please get in touch.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited. June 2026.

* How to find old pensions - Which?

Business Services & Protection

Commercial mortgages/remortgages, workplace pension and employee benefits. Commercial mortgages are by referral only.

Holistic planning

Establishing and reviewing trusts, complete personal risk management planning, short- and long-term savings and investments.

Income Protection

Permanent health insurance to provide a regular income should you be unable to work due to illness or injury.

Investments

Wealth management advice to make your money work as hard as it can for you, including making the most of any tax breaks available.

Pensions

Expert advice to help provide comfort in your retirement.

Protection

Whole of life and term assurance protection, private medical arrangements, critical illness insurance.

Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning

  • The Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute develops core technical and initial financial planning understanding.

Certificate in Mortgage Advice

  • The Certificate in Mortgage Advice (Level 3) meets the FCA standards for mortgage advisers. It develops an understanding of the sector and the mortgage process, and enables advisers to meet individual client needs.

Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Equity Release

  • The Level 3 Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Equity Release meets the FCA standards for mortgage advisers and those advising on equity release schemes.

Certificate in Equity Release

  • The Certificate in Equity Release is a specialised and highly regarded qualification within the financial services industry. Designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to provide expert guidance on equity release products, this certification programme plays a pivotal role in ensuring that individuals can make informed decisions about releasing equity from their homes.
Ms Liz H.
Donald has been my financial advisor for 3 years now. As well as regular reviews he has always been available for any ad hoc concerns and requests that I have raised with him. He communicates in a timely way, by email and with voice or video calls as appropriate. Donald successfully managed my expectations through a period of considerable market volatility. I'm happy to have someone I can trust to manage my investments.
Mr G Polson.
When I retired 6 years ago it gave me sleepless nights knowing what to do with my pension pots, after doing some research I chose to go with Donald Johnston and have never looked back. His expert financial advice got me a perfect plan to suit me & my wife, we take a monthly top up income, then invest the rest at an investment risk we are happy with. We have been very happy with yearly results, could not have done any of that by myself so THANK YOU so much Donald.
Mr and Mrs Morton
Donald Johnston has been our financial adviser since retirement. He has worked with us to plan our current and long term needs in terms of financial goal setting, and to create an appropriate portfolio. He regularly reviews the resilience of our Quilter investments and undertakes an annual financial review meeting and detailed report. He has a calm, considerate manner and clearly explains financial issues and market forces to us with knowledge and clarity!

Donald's location

Aberdeen
AB10
United Kingdom

Donald is located in Aberdeen and offers expert financial advice to suit your needs.

I am based just north of Aberdeen and I am happy to travel to meet face to face to provide a free initial consultation at a time and place mutually convenient to discuss your financial objectives.

I am fully qualified to provide holistic advice in a range of areas including Retirement Planning, Investments, Protection, and Inheritance Tax Planning.

The process starts with an initial no obligation conversation, either by phone or video call to gauge if he can help. Contact on 01358 511902.

Away from work I enjoy competitive and social golf with friends. I also enjoy reading and spending time with family.

What to expect

In advising you, I follow a simple and trusted 3 step process:

1. Free intro call to understand your needs

We will arrange a time to talk about your goals and plans.

2. Personalised plan

I'll prepare a tailored plan which always takes full account of your goals, and gives you the steps and expert support from me to get there. All explained simply.

3. On going check-ins, on your terms

I'll be there as your financial adviser to give you the support you need.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some employee benefits, tax planning, inheritance tax planning, estate planning, succession planning, trusts or some buy-to-let mortgages.

The guidance and/or information contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK.

Registered Office: Quilter Financial Advisers, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4AB. Tel: 0207 562 5856. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 05693185. Lighthouse Financial Advice Limited, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4AB. Tel: 0207 562 5856. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 04795080.

Quilter Financial Planning Network only: This financial promotion was approved by Quilter Financial Services Ltd & Quilter Financial Ltd on 01 August 2022.