In this month’s Market Commentary, Raymond James UK European Strategist, Jeremy Batstone-Carr, discusses a new term in the financial lexicon, a change in the market’s tone and why, despite the challenges ahead, there is cause for optimism in the long run.
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Obtaining feedback from our clients is an important part of our business as it ensures we continue to provide the service our clients are seeking and don’t let things slip.
Our latest survey was conducted at the height of the market mayhem in March, where portfolios were being tested and communication with clients was essential. At times where markets are plummeting, clients need to know they can trust us to look after their money and make the right decisions. We also need to be available to speak to at any time as its obviously concerning watching markets around the world fall relentlessly. It is at times of stress where any cracks in our proposition will be exposed.
Thankfully, the survey results confirmed our commitment to providing a personal service built on trust, clear communication, and our expertise as financial planners and wealth managers.
We are pleased to report that of the 15 respondents, there was 100% overall satisfaction with our services and 100% of respondents would be happy to recommend our services to their friends and colleagues.
The survey also highlighted what matters most to our clients. Honesty and trust was the most important factor, followed by our knowledge and expertise. We scored 100% client satisfaction on both these metrics. This is important to us, as these metrics are fundamental to our proposition. Trust and expertise are hard to obtain, but very easy to lose without continued hard work.
Finally, many of our clients also deal with wealth managers or advisers at other firms as well as Raymond James, John Street. We asked these clients if they receive a better service from us, the same, or a better service from other companies they deal with. 100% of respondents said they receive a better service from us, which is reassuring.
Thank you to all our clients who responded in March. This year’s survey results are encouraging, but we will not to rest on our laurels. We continue to work to provide the best service possible for our clients and encourage further feedback from those who did not, or were unable to complete the survey in March.
If you would like to arrange a chat, please contact us.
As an office, each year we look forward with a mix of excitement and apprehension to the Citywire 10k Charity run. Countless hours of training are required (so we’re told), so needless to say the threat of cancellation amid the Coronavirus pandemic was most unwelcome. Thankfully, to ensure the charities did not lose out, Citywire pulled out all the stops and took the run virtual!
Unfortunately, a virtual run still means we had to run. Ed, Andy and Stuart competed in the virtual 10k race, running round various streets in North London and Essex, while Latrena, having recently given birth to her daughter Mabel, competed in the 5k race around the roads of Beckenham. We all finished safely, and while we didn’t threaten the winners, we all beat our personal targets. As a team, we are delighted to have raised just over £2,000 for two great charities, St Francis Hospice and Neuroblastoma UK. Overall, Citywire raised over £25,000 through the race, which during these tough times is fantastic news for the two charities.
If you would like to donate to these great causes, the fundraising remains open here.
Following the success of last year’s 10k run for charity, early in July the team at Raymond James, John Street once again made their way (at varying speeds) around Regent’s Park, taking part in the annual Citywire 10k charity run.
Andy, Ed, Stuart and Latrena all ran the course and we are delighted to have raised £4,000 for two charities, Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan Cancer Support. In total there were 256 runners taking part, helping Citywire raise an amazing £28,000 in total for the two charities.
We are all very happy to be able to play a small part in raising so much money for two fantastic charities and look forward to doing more in the coming months.
We are delighted to announce that Latrena Petkova has made the final shortlist for the ‘Women of the Year awards – Paraplanning’ in the ‘Professional Adviser – Women in Finance Awards 2019’.
As those who know Latrena will testify, she has worked tirelessly over the past year or so to help build our proposition and without her, it goes without saying we would not be in the position we currently are.
Latrena is an integral part of our offering and thoroughly deserves this nomination. She is a credit not just to Women in Finance, but to our profession in general. We wish her every success in the final on July 3rd.
Fingers crossed!
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In November 2018 New Model Adviser, the Citywire publication named Andy Butcher as one of the ‘Top 35 young financial planners making their mark on the profession‘.
Six months on, Andy and others provide their Top Tips for young advisers coming through the industry.
Read more here.
We are delighted to hear that Andy Butcher has been named as one of the “Top 35 Next Generation Advisers in 2018” by The New Model Adviser publication.
After also featuring in 2017, the Citywire publication once again recognised Andy’s achievements in the past 12 months.
“2018 has been a year of rapid growth for our business, which has enabled us to add to our proposition by hiring Stuart as our Senior Investment Analyst and Latrena as our Senior Paraplanner. As our business grows, we continue to embrace new ideas and technology, aiming to position ourselves as a Next Generation firm. Being named as a Top Next Generation Adviser for the second year running is once again a huge privilege and recognition of our work to date.”
Please follow the link below for more information.
“The Top 35 Next Generation Advisers 2018”.
Following the Chancellor’s Budget Statement on Monday, we have produced a summary of the main points of discussion.
Our Budget Newsletter can be downloaded here.
Inheritance tax has been cited in the past as a voluntary tax, as there are many ways to reduce one’s IHT liability. While there are a number of options, it is often not practical or advisable to completely mitigate IHT.
Andy Butcher offered his views to Money Observer.
The article can be found here: https://www.moneyobserver.com/dont-sleepwalk-inheritance-tax-nightmare
Please note, we are not affiliated with Money Observer and the views and information expressed on their website are their own.
The past year has flown by, but a lot has happened. We took some time to reflect on what we have been up to in the past 12 months and have summarised a few points of interest in our Annual Update.
Raymond James, Hampstead, Annual Update 2018