Christmas message from Steven Pyne
As 2021 draws to a close we wanted to thank our clients and friends for all their support during what has proved to be another challenging year. I don’t think any of us imagined as we started the year that the pandemic would still have us so firmly in its grip, but it looks like there are still twists and turns to come.
Holden & Partners
We are proud of the team this year who have continued to adapt and make the best of our new working arrangements. However, it’s certainly been good to have more face-to-face meetings, time in the office and the opportunity to be together at our sports day late in the summer. We are hoping to bring back our client events next year so watch this space for further details.
As Holden & Partners continues to grow, this year we have also welcomed new team members Maria Mushtaq, Sine Wickham and Ken Naunton.
We’re always thrilled to promote, progress and retain our talented team, and as you may be aware, in April, Stefani Williams and Reece Biggadike became partners. This was a reward for all the hard work and commitment they have each shown since joining us over seven years ago.
We’ve continued to focus on our commitment to training everyone at Holden & Partners so that they can develop their knowledge and skills base.
We’ve also been recognised for our work. We were successful at the Professional Paraplanner Awards 2021, winning Paraplanner Team of the Year and have been listed in the New Model Adviser Top 100 2021, which recognises and celebrates the best of the professional financial planning community. We also received the Diamond Award for Payroll Giving; the highest mark given by the Charities Aid Foundation.
In August, we published our first B Corp Impact Report. This was an incredibly significant moment for us, as it reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement in sustainable working, both in how we operate as a business and how we invest on behalf of our customers.
The climate takes centre stage
Whilst it may not have made for more cheerful headlines than the pandemic, the environment and climate change have featured strongly in the media this year – perhaps more than ever before. ICAAP declaring a ‘code red for humanity’ back in the summer and the gathering of leaders at COP 26, meant that eyes were well and truly on climate change and the worldwide response.
In the face of such major challenges, it is easy to feel helpless. What difference can I possibly make? Individually the choices we make might have little impact it’s true, but collectively investors can make a huge difference if we choose to invest positively, for example in areas that support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.1
Nineteen years ago, Holden & Partners was still just an idea that we were getting excited about behind the scenes; how amazing it would be to build a financial planning and investment company with sustainable and ethical principles at its core! And now, as we get closer to our third decade in business, that dream has become a reality, and not only that, but it becomes clearer all the time that our approach is one that resonates.
We want to reinforce those principles as we move into the new year, working with you to keep striving for a hopeful and sustainable future.
Supporting Richard House Children’s Hospice
As we head into the festive season, it is a good time to remember the impact that Covid-19 continues to have on the UK’s charity sector. Recent research from the Charity Commission reveals that over 90% of charities have experienced a negative impact due to the pandemic, be that due to financial, service delivery or staffing issues.
This Christmas, we are making a donation to Richard House Children’s Hospice. Richard House is based in East London, providing palliative care to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. They have launched an urgent winter appeal to ensure they can continue to support families caring for children. If you would like to join us in donating to their campaign, we have a dedicated donation page here.
Christmas office opening details
Our offices will be closed over Christmas, from midday on December 24th and reopening on January 4th.
Finally, we’d like to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy New Year.
Steven Pyne,
Managing Partner
The value of investments can fall as well as rise. You may not get back what you invest.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
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1 The Sustainable Development Goals – Holden & Partners (holden-partners.co.uk)