So, the budget revealed no real secrets. Unsurprisingly we will all pay more tax which is probably right given what the global pandemic has wreaked upon our respective worlds.
As autumn takes hold, despite the unseasonably warm weather fooling the trees into clinging onto their leaves a little while longer and as the hour going back hones into view on Sunday, the sceptre of inflation hovers over us. Perhaps this will be a long winter? I am sorry that this does not sound very cheery!
At TWP we’ve had a busy summer and have welcomed the chance of getting back into the office on a more regular basis, finding a balance between working from home and the office. We’re delighted to be able to welcome you all back into our offices but we still have the ability to conduct zoom reviews if that’s preferable – the new world is upon us.
In the summer, Julia Cole who has worked with TWP for over 6 years chose to retire. Julia was a mainstay of our back-office and her considerable super skill was making what can be an impersonal service at times as we embrace technology more and more to being one that is first and foremost a human interaction; we will miss Julia – she has a permanent and standing invitation to our last Friday of the month visit to the pub – and we wish her and her husband, Ian our fondest wishes as they moved to Congleton during lockdown and have big plans for their new home and their new dog.
To replace Julia – perish the thought – we have recruited Rhodri Lewis who has spent the last 4½ years with Royal London in Wilmslow. Rhodri, as his name suggests is Welsh and plays rugby at Wilmslow RUFC and has enthusiasm and energy abound. His infectious personality has been known to us for some time and we’re delighted to welcome Rhodri to the TWP family; he will in time introduce himself to you all as he takes over the role that Julia did so well for so long.
In addition, we are delighted that Reuben Habergham who has worked in our back office for over 2½ years and has become a real asset for TWP will be promoted from within to join Leah in our paraplanning team. Reuben is a diligent, dedicated and thoroughly conscientious young man who has a bright future ahead of him. We are delighted to provide this next step on his career path for him. Reuben and his partner, Jen saw the arrival of their new baby, Blake just a month ago so the late nights and early mornings together with a new role will provide Rueben with a full plate, but one he will devour with gusto.
Leah Roberts, as some of you will know her, married her long-term partner during lockdown and is now Mrs Magee. Leah represents the very best of TWP and she and Reuben will be able to ensure our paraplanning area – the bits behind the scenes that research and deliberate on the best solutions for you to ensure we meet your life objectives – will be in great hands.
As Reuben will take up his new position in February 2022 in a planned and phased manner we have recruited another young man in Charlie Leddy to step into Rueben’s shoes. Charlie’s career to date has seen him work in recruitment for 2½ years which followed him living and working in Australia which he did straight from University. Upon being furloughed – a fact of life these days – during lockdown Charlie took up a role collecting and testing samples to provide data for a Covid Infection Study. Latterly Charlie took a role with Royal London following his interest and passion for financial services. We are delighted to welcome Charlie who will join us in mid-November and will be able to work with Reuben for some weeks to effect a smooth handover.
All of these adjustments to the tiller are being handled under the watchful eye of Sharon Walters, our Risk and Regulation Director. Sharon, who excelled in the role of Customer Relationship Executive and Paraplanning, now heads up our Administration effort together with her role as a senior manager within TWP. Change is, as I am advised continually the only constant and while change is disruptive by its very nature perhaps it’s also vital for growth. I am delighted that these changes have all been planned and effected without breaking stride and we really do intend to ensure we enhance what we do for you.
Over the last few months as we’ve started seeing clients back in the office again I am witnessing what could perhaps best be described as a variation of ‘pent up demand’. We have had a number of clients whose business activities have changed somewhat and been affected by Covid – who hasn’t, I hear you ask. The common theme we are hearing is that while they invariably employ an accountant for their business, sometimes that relationship can be ‘backwards and inwards’. While that’s important and somewhat inevitable as it’s what accountants do, we at TWP tend to look forward and outward as a default position. Our role is to understand the past, assess the present and plan the future with you. You’ll all be aware of our cash-flow modelling tool which predicts and plots the future and provides you with scenario planning and what-if options peculiar to your own circumstances.
If you or anyone you know could benefit from some of the latter, please get in touch – it’s what we do and we’d be delighted to welcome you and take a temperature check on your circumstances. Call it a winter engine check if you like.
Go safe and remember, Spring forward; Fall back.
Mark Shotton
Don’t Forget The Fish – April 2021