The end of one year and the start of a new one is often the time when people begin to look ahead.

January is one of the peak times for our chartered financial planners starting to work with new clients.

Our first conversation is about ascertaining what the client wants.

We need to understand the stage of life they are at. Are they approaching retirement or do they still have children at school or university? Do they own a business or are they employees? Has the mortgage been paid off? Do they have savings or have recently inherited?

We like to know what makes people tick away from work too. Do they have hobbies or enjoy dining out or taking holidays? Or do they have more of a cautious mindset to spending? 

It is our job to ask the right questions to be able to advise the client in the most appropriate and personalised way and start to build an effective investment plan.

We would expect to gain a good insight at our no-obligation first meeting, which is always free, from which we can respond with a bespoke proposal we believe is right for the client.

Once someone becomes a client, we will agree their priorities and start to create a plan with the objective of providing long-term financial security.

We will look at your various policies, pensions, investments and accounts and, using industry-leading software, provide a detailed analysis of the current position and what needs to be done to achieve those future goals.

Markets are forever changing. Part of our responsibility to you is to keep abreast of fluctuations in terms of financial models, products, risks and cost of funds. 

The one thing that is certain is that the financial services industry has changed a lot – and for the better – since I first started out 30 years ago.

Putting in place a long-term financial plan, that is carefully considered but maintains an element of flexibility, is the essential starting point.

The fun bit of our job is not so much watching our clients save money, but helping them to achieve and enjoy the retirement they envisage when the time comes.

For more information or to arrange a free initial consultation visit www.phillipbatesfs.co.uk or call 0151 353 1066.

Earlier in the year, there was lots of chatter about companies and the wider public stockpiling in preparation for a possible no-deal Brexit.

A few months on, and further deadlines having passed, there continues to be political and financial uncertainty, but a determination among people to get on with life.

The next key dates would appear to be the General Election on December 12^, followed by the latest Brexit extension which is due to run out at the end of January next year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the election in the hope of securing a majority Government. The electorate will decide whether he – or one of the other parties gets their wish – or whether the country finds itself continuing in a hung Parliament but with a slightly different set of MPs.

As we near the end of 2019, the financial markets are relatively sound with the returns higher year on year.

The positive results are principally due to the falls of the previous year and they are currently too good to be sustained. 

But the current position is that all assets are continuing to grow in an economic environment lacking in confidence.

Whatever happens with the General Election and the ensuing Brexit saga, we will continue to monitor the markets and react accordingly. 

One consequence of the end of year political drama is that we will delay the release of our annual client portfolio financial review, usually published in November/ December, until January next year to ensure it takes full account of any impact caused by the General Election.

We are always delighted to promote charitable causes that matter to our clients.

In this newsletter, we turn our spotlight on to the Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted.

The charity was founded in 1989 by a group of visually impaired people and, since then, has gone from strength to strength, despite having to raise 100% of its funding.

Adele Law, who sits on the charity’s board, says: “We help blind and partially sighted people on the Wirral with the practical, emotional and social support they need to live independently with sight loss. We work with people of all ages and their families, providing Low Vision Aids, IT training, an advocacy service as well as clubs, classes and social activities.

“Although our resource centre is in Birkenhead, several of our members live in the Neston area, as we are the only organisation providing these services on the Wirral

“This year, with the end of a substantial grant, we have already had to make staff cuts and curtail some planned activities.

“We are always looking to increase our links with the business community and would love to talk to businesses who may be able to support us in some way. Whilst cash is always welcome – businesses help us by staff fundraising or donating much needed services.”

For more information please visit http://www.wirralsociety.org.uk/or email fundraising coordinator Lynne Sedgwick at lynne@wirralsociety.org.uk