Taking Stock March 2013
Welcome to this first edition of Taking Stock of 2013 Welcome to this first edition of Taking Stock of 2013. It seems Spring has finally sprung and I’m pleased to see blue skies and sunshine at last after what feels to have been a very long winter. Equilibrium has, as usual, had a very busy quarter with one thing and another! We’ve also started a programme of seminars in the Chester area which will hopefully make it easier for clients who currently live there to keep up to date with whats going on in the financial world. The Financial Conduct Authority (formerly the Financial Services Authority) introduced new rules with effect from 1 January that we’ve obviously had to comply with and, as if that wasn’t enough, babies, weddings and engagements have all featured this quarter within the Equilibrium team! I hope you find this issue to be of interest and, as always, would welcome any feedback. If there’s anything you’d like us to feature or celebrate, please let Olivia (Olivia@ eqasset.co.uk) know.
Kind regards
Colin Lawson
Managing Partner
Chester
Baby Boom! We’re pleased to announce that we’ve extended our seminar area programme to Chester and also have an office available for meetings. Currently we have a large number of clients based in Chester so we’re very excited to see the part this region will play in our continuing success.
The Equilibrium family has been extended once again with two new arrivals! Client Manager, Mark Hird and partner, Joanne welcomed their second child into the world. Millie Rose was born on 30th January 2013, weighing 7lbs. Deputy Team Leader, Catherine Snailham and husband David received an early Christmas present last year when their second daughter, Lucy was born on the 5th December weighing in at 6lb 10. We’d like to congratulate both sets of parents on this wonderful news!
Equilibrium Asset Management LLP (a limited liability partnership) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Equilibrium Asset Management is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference 452261. The FCA regulates advice which we provide on investment and insurance business; however it does not regulate advice which we provide purely in respect of taxation matters. Copyright Equilibrium Asset Management LLP. Not to be reproduced without permission
Taking Stock | March 2013
Equilibrium Foundation For those who attended our client Christmas parties in December, you will know we are currently supporting Sally Mortimer in her bid to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Sally has long been a member of the EQ family, her husband of 10 years, John, is our Business Development Manager who has also known Colin for about 25 years. Sally’s motivation for the climb is to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK after losing her father to dementia several years ago. Sally will be attempting the 5895m trek this September, we wish her all the best of luck and will keep you posted later on in the year. On June 22, Rob Ellis will be taking on the Trans Pennine Challenge. This gruelling trek from Manchester to Sheffield spans 100km of varied terrain including 1040m of ascent. Rob will be raising funds for Cancer Research UK with the support of the Equilibrium Foundation. Once again some members of the team have decided to take part in this year’s “We Love Manchester 10k Run” – an event which takes place this summer in and around the City of Manchester Stadium, originally built for the Manchester Commonwealth Games. Client Manager, Matt Dobson, took the lead last year with an impressive time of 46 minutes – can he be beaten this time round? We’ll let you know! Here at Equilibrium we think it’s important to give back given the fortunate position we’re in. This is why we’ve pledged to raise £25,000 each year for the next decade in a bid to donate a quarter of a million pounds to charity. Recently we were in a fortunate enough position to donate £5,000 to three charities selected by the staff, who chose: Reuben’s Retreat charity – their goal is to provide a retreat for families who have suffered the bereavement of a child or who have a child with life-limiting illness. Enthusiasm (Manchester branch) – a voluntary and community organisation that helps young people (between 11-18) who are most at risk of offending and social exclusion fulfil their true potential.
Wedding Bells! Client Manager, Barney Kilroy decided to pop the question to his long-term girlfriend, Sarah whilst on a friend’s wedding trip in Australia. Barney decided to make the most of his surroundings by proposing on a picturesque beach by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. The couple are planning a winter wedding taking place on the 30th December 2013 at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester’s city centre. After breaking the news of their engagement last year, Investment Analyst, Graeme Black and fiancée, Victoria tied the knot at Haigh Hall in Wigan on 16th February. Congratulations to both couples, may it be the start of a brilliant and exciting life together!
Multiple Sclerosis Society UK – which fund research, gives grants and provides information and support to sufferers of MS. Meanwhile, thank you to everyone who has supported our team in any upcoming or recent events and donated to The Foundation. If you do wish to make a donation please contact Emma on 0161 486 2250 or email emma@eqasset.co.uk
Equilibrium Asset Management LLP (a limited liability partnership) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Equilibrium Asset Management is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference 452261. The FCA regulates advice which we provide on investment and insurance business; however it does not regulate advice which we provide purely in respect of taxation matters. Copyright Equilibrium Asset Management LLP. Not to be reproduced without permission
Taking Stock | March 2013
60 seconds with... Rachel Lee! Rachel joined the team as a Client Manager towards the end of 2012. We asked her about her experience to date at Equilibrium… What have you most enjoyed about Equilibrium so far? I have enjoyed broadening my knowledge through the varied tasks and I have particularly liked meeting the clients when sitting in client meetings. Tell us a bit about your background: I studied Business Management at Newcastle University and went on to work for A J Bell (the SIPP provider) for 6 months as a Pension Administrator. I then went travelling for 3 months to New Zealand, Australia and Asia before starting at Equilibrium. What would you be if you weren’t a Client Manager? If I didn’t work here I would like to be a food critic. And finally, tell us something we don’t know about you! I used to play football for Stockport County Girls.
Recent Achievements
Just a few weeks before the annual Manchester Legal Awards were held in the city centre at The Midland Hotel. As Equilibrium was a sponsor of the event, we were fortunate enough to present the Team of the Year – Private Client award won by law firm, Pannone Solicitors. We’d like to take this opportunity to again congratulate the winners!
The past quarter has proved to be awards season as we’ve been short-listed for three awards, won one and presented another!
RMS, our PR Company also has some good news to shout about. They recently fought off some tough competition by winning the ‘Golden Hedgehog’ PR award for Financial PR Campaign of the Year for their work with us. RMS has been working alongside us for the past two years and in that time has helped us make our mark as leaders in our field.
We were nominated for two Professional Adviser Awards at the beginning of the year, including Best Small Adviser Firm and Investment Adviser of the year. Although we didn’t pick up any prizes, we were happy enough to have been highly commended by being shortlisted.
And to round it off our very own Adviser, Andy Baker has been shortlisted for the Young Financial Adviser of the Year award for the Insider Young Professional Awards which is to take place the Lowry Hotel in Manchester on 2 May 2013. We shall keep you posted on the result.
21st March was an important diary date in the financial services calendar as the 23rd annual Money Marketing Awards were held in London. It also turned out to be a memorable date for the EQ team as we were named ‘Best Wealth Manager’! We were exceptionally pleased to be awarded this prestigious title as it shows testament to our expertise even when up against national firms.
Equilibrium Asset Management LLP (a limited liability partnership) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Equilibrium Asset Management is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference 452261. The FCA regulates advice which we provide on investment and insurance business; however it does not regulate advice which we provide purely in respect of taxation matters. Copyright Equilibrium Asset Management LLP. Not to be reproduced without permission
Taking Stock | March 2013
Equilibrium Events 2013 We’d like to take this opportunity to publish our seminar dates for Spring 2013. At the same time we’re pleased to introduce a new venue to add to our usual seminar locations which is the Doubletree Hotel in Chester. We’re also delighted to include a new seminar topic to the current library of presentations this year. “Investing for Income” will look at how to create an investment strategy to provide you with a sustainable income stream taking into account inflation.
Tuesday 16th April
“Current Financial Affairs” The Mere Golf & Country Club, Mere
Wednesday 24th April
“Successful Lifetime Investing” Hunting Lodge, Adlington Hall, Macclesfield
Tuesday 30th April
“Live Well & Leave a Legacy” Doubletree by Hilton, Hoole, Chester
Wednesday 15 May
“Successful Lifetime Investing” The Mere Golf & Country Club, Mere, Knutsford
Wednesday 22nd May
“Successful Lifetime Investing” Doubletree by Hilton, Hoole, Chester
th
Demand is expected to be high so RSVP as soon as possible to avoid disappointment by simply emailing rsvp@eqasset.co.uk or calling Emma on 0161 486 2250
In addition to our own seminars, we would like to invite our clients and friends to a Long Term Care seminar which is being held by local law firm, SAS Daniels on Thursday 25th April at The Hunting Lodge, Adlington. The “Providing Solutions to Care & Care Related Funding” seminar will cover practical and financial care solutions and legal matters. Equilibrium is delighted to have been asked to present alongside Lawrence Tudin of SAS Daniels and Julie Akroyd of Macclesfield based home care services, Home Instead. For further information or to book a place, please contact Sharon Pickford on 01625 442144 or via email at Sharon.pickford@sasdaniels.co.uk.
Equilibrium Asset Management LLP Brooke Court Lower Meadow Road Handforth Dean Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 3ND United Kingdom Visit us at www.eqasset.co.uk t : +44 (0)161 486 2250 f : +44 (0)161 488 4598 e : askus@eqasset.co.uk Equilibrium Asset Management LLP (a limited liability partnership) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Equilibrium Asset Management is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference 452261. The FCA regulates advice which we provide on investment and insurance business; however it does not regulate advice which we provide purely in respect of taxation matters. Copyright Equilibrium Asset Management LLP. Not to be reproduced without permission