Taking stock February 2017

Taking Stock Newsletter February 2017

There’s something about Doris...

I hope you all survived the weather bomb that we had last week! It’s been somewhat blustery over the past few days – and it has certainly been a whirlwind of activity here at Equilibrium over recent months!

Debbie Jukes Partner

We ended 2016 with a bang at our 21st anniversary party at Tatton Park. I really enjoyed seeing so many of our clients and for those of you that were able to make it, I hope you had a great evening! I would also like to thank everyone who completed the survey on client experience, which was sent from the independent organisation CX Awards. We were delighted to be awarded their “Mark of Excellence” and to receive such positive feedback.

21st anniversary year (and we still have a couple more cheques left to present). Thank you to all clients who generously donated to our efforts.

Outside of EQ, the headlines continue to be full of Trump across the pond and a little closer to home there have been inevitable discussions around when Article 50 will be triggered.

For some more light-hearted reading, I hope you enjoy this issue of Taking Stock where you can find all the latest news from the EQ community. As always, I would love to hear your feedback and comments so please do drop me a line at debbie.jukes@eqllp.co.uk.

As a Trustee of The Equilibrium Foundation, I have been delighted to present The Enthusiasm Trust, The Christie Charitable Fund and St Kentigern Hospice with donations from all of the fundraising we did across our 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 Newsletter February 2017

EQ receives the Mark of Excellence from the CX Awards We were delighted to be awarded the Mark of Excellence for Client Experience by the independent assessment organisation CX Awards.

Thank you to all of our clients who completed the survey which forms the basis for our results.

All questions were scored out of 10. Our overall unweighted score from 333 respondents was 9.31. This was an extraordinary score for surveys of this nature and size.

Last time we participated in the survey was back in 2011 where we received a combined score of 8.66. We are absolutely thrilled to have been able to demonstrate that alongside our growth we not only still provide a personalised client experience but have improved on our rating.

Neil Craig, Director at the CX Awards commented: “Equilibrium recorded exceptional scores across the board. In my experience of running assessment surveys for more than 10 years, these results are unprecedented and place Equilibrium at the very top of the client experience tree.”

9.44

9.22

Easy to deal with Our clients believe it requires minimal effort to communicate with the team and feel that they are always on hand to answer their questions

Trust

Overall score

9.27 out of 10

Our clients are extremely satisfied with the quality of the relationship they have with us and know that their needs are our first priority

9.15

Satisfaction Our clients believe that we deliver the excellent service we promise to them

A big thank you to all of our clients and staff who completed the survey and we look forward to continuing to build on our success!

Colin wins Entrepreneur of the Year Founder and Partner Colin Lawson picked up the accolade of ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the North East Cheshire Business Awards.

Equilibrium was also shortlisted for ‘Team of the Year’.

It marks the second consecutive year we have won at the awards, after we picked up the award for ‘Excellence in Customer Service’ last year.

Colin commented: ‘‘When I first had the idea to start the business, then called Applewood Financial, I had never been a financial adviser, never dealt with a client directly before and never run a business – so to say I took a huge gamble would be an understatement. To have now been recognised as ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ is fantastic. I’m very proud that the judges decided that I deserved the award and it’s brilliant to receive that sort of recognition.’’

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 Newsletter February 2017

Take a look at our new-look website…

We have recently re-designed the homepage of our website, making it easier than ever to find your way around. We have also made a new resources section to be able to view and download our newsletters, magazines, guides and videos.

Right: Our new homepage design

Oakmere Singers awarded £500 grant from Community Scheme Wilmslow group The Oakmere Singers Association has been awarded £500 from Equilibrium’s Cheshire East Community Support Scheme. The group, made up of retired Handforth residents, was set up to raise money for national and local charities through performances across nursing homes, retirement homes and summer fairs in the local area.

The grant will go towards purchasing new microphones, stands and speakers to enable the singers to perform to larger audiences, and as a result raise more money for their chosen charities.

Leo Shorrock, Secretary of the Oakmere Singers Association said: “We are thrilled to receive this generous grant from Equilibrium, which will finally allow us to purchase some much-needed new equipment. All of our members absolutely love singing and it is really rewarding to see the positive impact it has when we go into care homes to perform.”

Connecting clients At our recent events, some clients have mentioned that they would like to connect with others and asked whether this was something we could help with. Many clients explained that at our events they often got to know people sat at their table but that they felt there may be more clients that they could connect with – whether that be socially or professionally.

If you are an Equilibrium client who would like to connect with others on a social or professional level just drop an email to fiona.bousfield@eqllp.co.uk.

Make sure to say any reasons why you would like to be put in touch with other clients – whether that is hobbies, shared experiences or on a professional level. We will collate any requests we receive on an ongoing basis and will put clients in touch with each other when we receive similar requests.

Equilibrium’s Community Support Schemes award grants from £100 to £500 to local organisations and charities. For more information and to apply visit: http://eqllp.co.uk/the-foundation/cheshire-east-communitysupport-scheme/ Below: Jason Lowe, Partner & Financial Planner presenting the Community Support Grant to the Oakmere Singers

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 Newsletter February 2017

Congratulations on your new baby boy!

A huge congratulations to Client Manager Barney and his wife Sarah! Finlay John Kilroy arrived at 3am on Sunday 12 February weighing in at 6 pounds 10 ounces.

Equilibrium is fifth in The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For 2017 As you may already know by now, Equilibrium has been recognised as the fifth best small company to work for by The Sunday Times. We were the highest-ranking wealth management company in the UK-wide list, as well as being the only north west-headquartered firm in the top 20. To read more about the award click here.

Expanding the EQ team We have welcomed two new additions to our client manager team. Laura Stewart joins us after contracting for nine years within the financial services sector on complaint handling projects for various financial institutions.

Carl Hayes joins us with more than 8 years experience of working in financial services.

Jessica Carney has also joined us as our new Events Coordinator. She joins us from McLaren to take a lead on our events calendar.

Client Managers Carl Hayes and Laura Stewart

Events Coordinator Jessica Carney

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.