Autumn has arrived, but at Future Planning, we’re clinging onto the sunshine and taking a final look back at our busy summer.

So, put the kettle on and your feet up and let us take you back to July.

The Future Planning team attends Elements 2025

The Elements 2025 Financial Planning Conference, hosted by Plannex, took place on 9-10 July in Manchester. Sanjay took the wheel for a three-hour drive during which we enjoyed a mixture of music, games, and laughter.

Here are some of the team’s thoughts and highlights.

Adam

“I had an amazing time at Elements 2025.

“The conference was split into two. On Wednesday, the ‘Elements Evening’ was an opportunity to meet and mix with everyone. We all had a good laugh and a couple of drinks. We joined in with some fun games of bingo and then participated in karaoke.

“I got up on stage and sang my heart out to ‘Mr Blue Sky’ by the Electric Light Orchestra. The next day was brilliant. The all-day conference featured so many intelligent and interesting people, talking about different ways to improve not only ourselves, but the business as well. One of the highlights for me was George Kinder’s amazing speech on Fiduciary.”

Sian

“The Manchester conference was really well put together, with a positive vibe throughout.

“It was a great day and night bonding as a team and interesting to be surrounded by so many individuals (men and women) who launched and continue to run successful companies. It was great to see lots of women at a financial event too!”

Drew

“The Manchester conference was a brilliant experience. I especially valued hearing the thoughts of others in the financial space — hearing their perspectives, how they’ve grown, and what they’ve learned.

“I particularly enjoyed one investor’s talk during which he challenged us to step back from our current assumptions and recognise that what feels permanent today has changed before and will change again. It was a refreshing reminder to stay adaptable.

“Alongside the formal sessions, it was also great to interact with people in a more relaxed setting the evening before, which gave the whole event a personal and approachable feel.”

Sanjay

“Having been away in Canada, it was great to catch up with some of the team driving up together.

“We enjoyed karaoke in the evening and a packed conference the next day.

“My highlight was one strategy to reduce the time spent sitting down by having internal walking meetings where a screen is not needed and they are in-person, which has been successful.”

Fun, games, and great music at the My Dad… festival

On 26 July, Future Planning were delighted to once again sponsor the My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad festival at the Old Town Bowl in Swindon, in tribute to local man Dave Young.

Eight incredible bands took to the main stage during the day (and into the night), with street food stalls, a maker’s market, and fairground rides for the kids!

And the Future Planning was there too, having fun, taking part, catching up with clients, and networking with fellow businesses from Swindon.

All profits from the event went to Prospect Hospice to support the amazing work they do.

We’ve all been on our summer holidays

Adam

“I went to Alanya, Turkey, at the start of September for 10 days.

“Last Christmas, my older sister and I couldn’t decide what to get each other, so we opted to treat ourselves to a holiday. After a quick chat, we thought it would be even more special to invite our parents along – after all, they’d taken us on holidays when we were children!

“It turned out to be a trip to remember. From lounging by the pool in 42-degree heat and indulging in a luxury Turkish spa and massage, to exploring mountain caves and enjoying lunch on the Dim River, every day brought something new.

“We relaxed on a boat with a parrot, soaked up the evening entertainment, and even partied in the city until the early hours. The days flew by, but the memories will last a lifetime.” 

Sanjay

“My friend wanted to do the Yukon River Quest race for his 40th birthday!

“It’s a marathon team canoeing expedition, and a race, which is around 715km long and must be completed within 90 hours. It was a great experience, disconnecting from technology and exploring British Columbia and Yukon. We then headed toward Alaska at the end.

“The scenery and nature are breathtaking and memories to last a lifetime. It took some time to recover, though!”

Sian

“The summer for me was mainly spent studying for RO4… probably 100-plus hours in total!

“Other things I have enjoyed are seeing friends, cooking new food in my Ninja Crispi, and enjoying walks with Hugo, my Frenchie. I also went to a Reiki healing session with a friend.

“Our girl group is planning to go and see Moulin Rouge! The Musical in London within the next month or so, and we’ll maybe start some early Christmas shopping too (the dreaded word!).”

A fun team-building day at Bath Races? You bet!

After a jam-packed summer, the fun continued into the start of autumn when we embarked on a team-building day to Bath Races on 30 September.

While our betting was generally unsuccessful, we still had an amazing time, enjoying the facilities and networking with various companies around Swindon and Bath.

We arrived and departed in style, in a stretched Lincoln Town Car – a “Lincoln limousine” – of which there are only four in the country, as they’re imported from the States.

Thank you to Total Guide Wiltshire for inviting us.