As we get close to the end of 2020 and start to plan what our future looks like I’m also finding myself reflecting on what 2020 means to me.

I consider myself fantastically fortunate. Whilst 2020 has been a roller coaster of the year, my own personal journey through it has had both ups and downs.

Some of the “lows” have been in the realisation that I’m not as good a communicator as I thought I was as I failed to home school Sophie (8) through the first Lockdown, but also experiencing frustration as some of the investment and pension providers we need to communicate with slowed down to tortoise like speed which meant that certain elements of how we support you have taken a bit longer than usual.

Some of the “Highs” have been maintaining a relatively steady course through the pandemic business wise and actually experiencing a decent level of growth in the 2nd half of the year, ensuring our clients kept their nerve and made good longer term investment decisions at the start of lockdown and feeling grateful that our clients continue to support us, and us them, through thick and thin.

I really feel for the individuals and businesses who for 2020 has been more challenging and wish for 2021 to be better for them as the Vaccine starts to be distributed and we look like we start to get back to normal…However perversely my 2020 has ended on a bit of a high!

You see for the past three odd years I’ve been aiming to become a Chartered Financial Planner. It’s effectively the gold standard for financial planners and advisers and rightfully so isn’t easy to achieve. This video explains a bit more about it…

Last Friday I received the news…I’m now a chartered financial planner!

 This means that, if you already work with us either as a client or one of our professional introducers, you can be assured that our commitment to the highest standards of professional advice will continue. I’ll ensure that I continue to learn and develop as an adviser and we’ll carry on building our business to support you, our clients.

I’m also proud of the personal achievement. The graduation ceremony has been postponed until later in 2021 due to COVID…but I know when it does occur I’ll be taking my Dad, now in his Seventies, to celebrate with me…a day we’re both going to enjoy massively!

I hope your 2020 has finished on some positive news too…however if it hasn’t and we can support you in any way we’re always here to help.

Have a lovely remainder of the year and I look forward to catching up in 2021!