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Money Matters: The Greta Effect and the Tipping Point Money Matters: 10 Years of Belper IFS: Our First Decade Business & Professional The impact that mankind is having on the environment is becoming increasingly clear. Making a Difference Through Investments 10 years ago, Belper Independent Financial Solutions was formed after its founder (me, Kevin Glover) was made redundant from The Derbyshire Building Society. 10 years ago, Belper Independent Financial Money Matters: 10 Years of Belper IFS: Our First Decade Scientific research and data is showing how the way we live is damaging the planet to almost beyond salvage. Since then, Belper has seen the loss of The Derbyshire, Woolworths, Somerfield, Thomas Cook and Britannia Building Society to name but a few long-standing institutions that are now confined to history. Solutions was formed after its founder (me, Kevin Glover) was made redundant from The Derbyshire Building Society. The tipping point is now – it’s not the time to give it up as a hopeless cause. Man’s impact on the climate, the seas and the ozone is becoming clearer as the oceans become more polluted, temperatures rise and the protective ozone thins. David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg have had a significant influence on bringing to our attention how Generations of people have been served or been customers of these organisations. You are probably one. State Pension Age has changed several times and will most likely do so again. At least interest rates have not changed much! Rubbish then and not much better today. Since then, Belper has seen the loss of The Derbyshire, Woolworths, Somerfield, Thomas Cook and Britannia Building Society to name but a few long-standing institutions that are now confined to history. Generations of people have been served or been customers of these organisations. You are probably one. State Pension Age has changed several times and pollutants from fossil fuels, plastics and the like are damaging will most likely do so again. At least interest rates have the world we live in, potentially putting us at the point of no Consider this – joining the EU was considered the right not changed much! Rubbish then and not much better return. Correcting the mess we are making could become decision once upon a time. today. irreparable, jeopardising future generations of our children and also the eco-system. The small steps we can take such as reducing wastage, recycling, reducing carbon emissions (‘go electric’), and using renewable energies may not be enough. But, abandoning the idea of doing something because other countries don’t feel From my dining room in 2009, to an office in Heanor, back to Belper and now to the present location, much has changed including the greyness of my hair and the size of my waistline! Now as a team of 8 we have seen the client base expand over the years. ‘Generous’ Consider this – joining the EU was considered the right decision once upon a time. From my dining room in 2009, to an office in Heanor, back to Belper and now to the present location, much has changed including the greyness of my hair and the the same is a folly. We simply can’t afford to not do our own successive Chancellors introduce new legislation size of my waistline! Now as a team of 8 we have seen bit because our ‘neighbours’ aren’t bothered (whether they impacting the public and signposting the need for the client base expand over the years. ‘Generous’ live next door or in next country!). We are all neighbours financial advice. successive Chancellors introduce new legislation occupying this same planet.impacting the public and signposting the need for So, what more could we do? Where our money is invested can determine outcomes. We ask all of our clients if they are concerned over the destination of their investments or pension funds. Demand for investments that exclude certain underlying investment in mining and fossil fuel companies What about you – what has changed in your lives over the last 10 years? How many jobs have you had? Has your family extended or tragedy struck? How many times have you moved house? How many pension schemes have you been a member of and simply left, financial advice. What about you – what has changed in your lives over the last 10 years? How many jobs have you had? Has your family extended or tragedy struck? How many times have you moved house? How many pension are increasingly requested. But it’s not all about exclusion. through one reason or another? How many cars, schemes have you been a member of and simply left, Inclusion of the right types of companies is important, too – partners and other life events have occurred?through one reason or another? How many cars, those looking to explore alternative renewable energies or partners and other life events have occurred? impact companies that are pioneering development can be a potentially lucrative area for investment. How many investments have you made and when were they last reviewed and looked at? My point is How many investments have you made and when were they last reviewed and looked at? My point is Utopia is investments in companies that contribute to change and also make profits for investors. that the need for financial advice and a solution should not be seen as a one-off. Financial products and solutions Environmental, Social, Governance (E.S.G) are a set of were probably right at the time, but just how much has standards for companies and investment. It is increasingly changed since their inception? hot on the radar for many investors seeking financial solutions in companies that can help contribute to change. Member countries of the United Nations created a set of 17 goals/ standards to act as indicators of a company’s ESG credentials (sdgs.un.org/goals). Investment funds (whether held in pension wrappers or alternative structures such as Stocks and Shares ISAs), are mostly run by fund managers who are also human beings. As humans they may retire, defect to other that the need for financial advice and a solution should not be seen as a one-off. Financial products and solutions were probably right at the time, but just how much has changed since their inception? Firms are encouraged to aspire to these goals. Investors are subsequently asking their pension fund managers to make companies, or run out of luck! Solutions that may have been right at the start may no longer be suitable or Investment funds (whether held in pension wrappers or alternative structures such as Stocks and Shares ISAs), concerted efforts to back and support these companies (or effective. Leading fund managers in 2009 may no longer are mostly run by fund managers who are also human reject companies that don’t comply). So even the traditionally be leading fund managers as we approach 2020. beings. As humans they may retire, defect to other toxic fossil fuel companies are now starting to act towards companies, or run out of luck! Solutions that may have these goals or fall out of favour with investors! Remember, it is often you, as shareholders, that own these companies (indirectly through investment funds/pension funds) and, if enough shareholders act, you have an influence. The major shareholders are the pension funds that you save your monies into therefore you can have a massive influence on how the companies operate. In April 2015, pension regulations changed. They will almost certainly change again. Pensions from prior to this time may no longer be suitable – but just how would you know? So, as you sit munching your turkey over the festive period, consider how many of these questions apply to you and see what may benefit from having a been right at the start may no longer be suitable or effective. Leading fund managers in 2009 may no longer be leading fund managers as we approach 2020. In April 2015, pension regulations changed. They will almost certainly change again. Pensions from prior to this time may no longer be suitable – but just how would review. you know? So, as you sit munching your turkey over the As a financial adviser we can focus on companies that are festive period, consider how many of these questions making a difference and reject the companies that don’t. Is 2020 the time to take a look at your financial apply to you and see what may benefit from having a Companies are eager to make sure they still remain in favour arrangements once again and get them fit for review. with their owners and meet these targets. You as investors like to invest in companies that are geared to make money purpose? Is 2020 the time to take a look at your financial and it is no coincidence that many companies that meet more of these goals are showing better financial results and profitability as a result. So maybe this is a topic to discuss next Wishing you a happy 2020 and a prosperous next 10 years. arrangements once again and get them fit for purpose? time you speak with your Financial Adviser? A chance to make Wishing you a happy 2020 and a prosperous next 10 changes, but in a different way through your investments. years.

By Kevin Glover, Belper IFS

By Kevin Glover, Belper IFS This information is general only and is not intended to By Kevin Glover, Belper IFS This information is general only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. The data above should This information is general only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. The data above should not not be relied upon in its entirety and shall not be deemed address your particular requirements. The data above should be relied upon in its entirety and shall not be deemed to be or to be or constitute advice. No individual or company should not be relied upon in its entirety and shall not be deemed constitute advice. No individual or company should act upon such act upon such information without receiving appropriate to be or constitute advice. No individual or company should information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation.

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