Financial Planning with RachelBy Rachel Efetha, Chartered Financial Planner.

At the end of November, four members of the team attended the National Financial Planning Symposium in North Greenwich.

Symposium

/sɪmˈpəʊzɪəm/

Noun

  1. A conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject
  2. A drinking party or convivial discussion, especially as held in ancient Greece after a banquet (and notable as the title of a work by Plato)

Please rest assured that the first definition is the appropriate one for the event, rather than the second!

We heard from a variety of key industry speakers on both technical topics such as the importance of cash flow planning and how much wealth is tied up in Defined Benefit Pensions Schemes in the UK (£2 trillion – if you’re wondering) and softer skills such as storytelling and how humans make decisions.

There was also the opportunity to talk to product providers and IT solution providers during coffee breaks in the exhibition hall, as well as bumping into old colleagues and networking with new contacts.

The headline guest speaker to close the Symposium was Helen Sharman, who became the first British Astronaut in May 1991.  Although that sounds far removed from what we do – there were important lessons regarding teamwork and trust in your colleagues that run through most businesses.

On the Thursday evening, we attended a Black Tie Awards Dinner, where the second definition took over (but in moderation as we had another full day to attend on Friday!).

Overall, another good conference from our professional body, even if the ‘Star Wars’ theme of ‘The Force Awakens’ was a little confusing and tenuous.

How Anstee & Co can help you with Financial Planning.

financial planning call backIf you would like to arrange a Financial Planning meeting with Rachel or one of our other advisers then please contact us. The initial fact-finding meeting is free and without obligation.

Rachel is based in Bedford but we also have  Finacial Planning advisers based in Kettering, Towcester, Northampton, Stamford, London, Birmingham and Droitwich.