2024 was a year of growth, challenges, and milestones.
The year began with Mary taking 12 months of maternity leave, which left us with a choice: bring in cover or manage the back office ourselves. We decided to refresh our knowledge of processes we had not touched in over 20 years. Modern tools have made things remarkably efficient compared to when I started out handling all of my own administration back in 2003.
To uphold our commitment to quality, we paused onboarding new clients twice during the year. This allowed us to focus on existing relationships, with Rob dedicating time to his growing expat client base in Dubai, Tahnee overseeing operations, and me staying focused on supporting clients and keeping in touch with everyone.
Despite the challenges, we managed to keep everything in balance and achieved modest growth in our private office numbers.
Machu Picchu
A standout personal moment was completing my trek to Machu Picchu in May, a journey sparked by Save the Children’s powerful Tomorrow advert, which hit a nerve with me. To date, I have raised over £5,000 to support their vital mission.
I first began sponsoring Save the Children in 2019, and while the trek was postponed twice due to the pandemic, finally accomplishing it was incredibly rewarding.
Â
Arriving in Cusco, at an altitude of around 3,400 metres above sea level, quite literally takes your breath away as soon as you step off the plane. The trek spanned 10 days, longer than the classic Inca Trail, and I reached a highest peak of over 4,500 metres, equivalent to approximately 3.5 times the height of Ben Nevis.
The full story, along with photographs and a video I posted during the trek, can be found on my JustGiving page. It was truly an unforgettable experience and my way of making a difference.
What We Are Focused On
Three themes sit at the heart of everything we do.
Planning
Revisiting your financial plan and identifying your critical number. Will you have too much, too little, or just enough? What is your number remains the key question. Ultimately it is the amount of capital we will all need to live the life we want to maintain throughout our later years.
Investing
We continue to onboard clients with disjointed pensions and investments by consolidating capital under one roof. Many believe diversification means spreading investments across multiple providers with different strategies. In reality, true diversification stems from exposure to all capital markets across both developed and emerging economies. A significant element of our model comes from our targeted tilts to small-cap and value-cap stocks in all markets, providing access to higher expected returns.
Legacy
Ensuring smooth intergenerational wealth transfer involves more than simply passing on assets. It is about creating a structured plan that safeguards wealth, ensures it reaches heirs and beneficiaries without unnecessary complications, and is delivered in a way that minimises tax liabilities and protects family wealth from external risks like divorce, creditors, and mismanagement.
A Message That Stayed With Me
Over the past year, I received several heartfelt messages from clients. One in particular stood out.
It came from Marianne, a client who had endured a difficult and contested probate situation following the loss of her husband. The challenges she faced were immense, compounded by unresolved conflicts between the executors that prolonged the process for over two years during what was already an incredibly painful time.
When I became involved, I worked closely with her throughout the year to resolve the situation. We encountered a significant hurdle along the way: her husband had passed over three years prior, which led to unhelpful responses when trying to transfer his ISA subscriptions.
With perseverance, I managed to overturn those decisions, ensuring her funds were fully protected from income and capital gains tax. The difference in projected outcomes over the years ahead is remarkable.
Her message of gratitude served as a powerful reminder of why I do what I do. Moments like these are a testament to the impact that thoughtful and dedicated financial guidance can have on someone’s life.
What We Offer
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to providing a modern, forward-thinking service that goes beyond expectations.
- Bespoke advice tailored to your unique circumstances, ensuring every element of your plan aligns with your goals
- Evidence-based investment grounded in over eight decades of data, utilising institutional-class funds typically out of reach for retail investors
- Estate succession planning designed to protect and ringfence your estate while efficiently mitigating inheritance tax
If you would like to revisit your goals or explore fresh ideas, we are always happy to have that conversation.
Contact us today or call 0345 200 4041 to arrange a complimentary 20-minute consultation.
Â
