End of year update, 18th December 2020
As 2020 draws to a close, it’s a chance to look back on the challenges and achievements of a year like no other.
This has been such a devasting time for so many people around the world. Most of us are very pleased to see the end of 2020 and, following positive advances with the vaccine rollout, it is with a renewed sense of hope that we look forward to 2021.
At Holden & Partners, despite the unprecedented difficulties brought about by the pandemic, we were fortunate that most of us were already accustomed to working from home for at least one day a week. This meant we were able to quickly adapt to a new way of working, when routine attendance at the office became a thing of the past. Consequently, in common with recent years, we have continued to invest in our staff and plan for the future.
This year, we have been joined by Steven Graves, our new Operations Director, and Bruce Davies who joins us as Paraplanner and technical assistant.
We have also launched our new client portal, H&P Wealth, which means that our clients can access valuations via our new app. There will be further announcements to come next year, about the H&P Wealth portal as well as our wider investment proposition.
Achievements for 2020
In June this year, Holden & Partners was delighted to be awarded B Corp Status. B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies that value purpose alongside profit and promote a better way of doing business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy1. In order to attain the certification, we were independently evaluated against high global standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.
It’s certainly been a rewarding year for accolades! In April, Holden & Partners was recognised in the national Money Marketing 2020 Adviser Awards. We were very proud to be officially shortlisted in two categories; Advice Firm of the Year and ESG Investment Firm of the Year. Over the last twelve months, we have also been nominated in the New Model Adviser Top 100 UK Financial Planning Firms and were shortlisted for the Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts Awards – Tax and Estate Planner of the Year. We were shortlisted for Adviser Firm of the Year – London, in the Professional Adviser Awards. Josh Shaxson was also a Finalist in the new Paraplanner of the Year category at the Professional Paraplanner Awards.
We are excited to work hard to continue this recognition of our bespoke and professional approach, into 2021 and beyond.
Exam success
With most of us spending more time at home this year, our staff have used the time wisely to build on their knowledge. This has resulted in some fantastic exam results across the business. In the Chartered Insurance Institute Financial Planning exams, Dominic Clark and Tom Hartley from our Adviser Support team completed their Diploma in Financial Planning. On the Paraplanning team, Bruce Davies has achieved the Chartered Financial Planner qualification and Josh Shaxson has passed the Discretionary Investment Management and Investment Planning exams.
Several of our staff undertook the Society of Trust and Estate Planning Practitioners Certificate for Financial Services, with Paraplanners, Rachael Teece and Craig Young, and Financial Planner, Andy Macguire, all passing with a distinction.
Investment Analyst, Dan King, passed the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment Private Client Investment Advice and Management exam, and our Finance Director, Paul Jannece, received a merit and a distinction in the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development exam.
Looking to 2021
It’s easy to feel concerned as the economic costs of the COVID pandemic grow. It becomes ever more likely that we will see increases in taxation to pay for government action taken to date. In the UK, a recent review of Capital Gains Tax has just concluded and it is possible that at the next Budget (which could be in March 2021 or earlier), we will see rises in both Capital Gains Tax and other taxes, including Inheritance Tax2. We could also see changes to pension legislation.
Nevertheless, if you have any pending financial decisions, it could be better to make them sooner rather than later, based on the current taxation regime. Of course, if you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact us. Your Adviser is there to help and guide you, especially in a time of so much change and uncertainty.
Merry Christmas!
Finally, we’d like to let you know that our offices will be closed over Christmas. Our final day this year is December 24th and we will reopen on January 4th.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our friends and clients for all their support.
In the meantime, we would like to wish you all a happy Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous and perhaps less eventful 2021.
1 About B Corps | Certified B Corporation
2 Chancellor sets Budget for March 2021 – CityAM : CityAM
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Please note that any thresholds, allowances, percentage rates and tax legislation stated may change in the future. The content of this communication is for your general information and use only; it is not intended to address your particular requirements. This communication should not be deemed to be, or constitute advice. You should not take any action without having spoken with your usual adviser.