In your latest Future Planning update read all about our packed start to the year.

From exam successes and business certification awards to a trip to Fuerteventura and the team’s summer plans and seaside reminisces; there’s something for everyone.

So, settle in and read all the latest gossip from Financial Planning HQ.

Celebrating anniversaries, exam successes, and business certification awards

Back on 23 March, mortgage adviser Sian sat her R02 – Investment Principles and Risk exam. The hours of revision paid off as she passed with flying colours – a huge congratulations to Sian for all her hard work.

We are also delighted to confirm that Future Planning Wealth has recently been working with Standards International and have been three certifications, for:

• Framework for the provision of financial advice and planning services (BS 8577)
• Compliance framework for regulated financial services firms (BS 8453)
• The standard for personal financial planners (BS ISO 22222:2005)

Standards International have been helping to train and transform businesses financial services industry for 25 years, with a focus on professionalism and operational excellence. We’re proud of our certification and it’s good news for you too. It means that you can rest assured that you’re dealing with professional and experts in their field, and that your money is in safe hands with Future Planning.

This year, we’re celebrating Future Planning’s 10th birthday and Sanjay’s 20 years as an adviser. The team recently marked the occasion on a “sports and social” trip to Fuerteventura.

Future Planning head to Fuerteventura

From 2 to 5 May, Sanjay, Sian, Tyrone, Drew, and Adam headed to Fuerteventura, the second of Spain’s Canary Islands for some much-needed R&R, alongside local adventure and tourist nightlife.

Adam reports: “We spent plenty of time exploring the island, walking the beaches and sampling local food and drink.

“We enjoyed a four-hour Catamaran trip and went further out than usual in an attempt to see dolphins. In this, we were unsuccessful, but we didn’t let that stop us from having fun!”

Family BBQs, football celebrations, and an epic adventure: Our summer plans

Thanks in part to the early heatwave and the upcoming National Fish and Chips Day, the Future Planning team has been discussing our summer plans. And reminiscing about some of our favourite seaside holidays.

Adam

“I was recently in Liverpool for the Premier League title celebrations. Around 100,000 fans were expected but estimates now suggest there were around 1 million people there, which is crazy! Even though it was pouring down with rain, the atmosphere was incredible – constant chanting, laughing, and everyone getting along and having a great time.

“I managed to see the bus twice, close enough that we could touch it! I got some great pictures and videos of the players and the trophy.

“I’m just devastated by how the parade ended (the tragic car incident) on a day of such celebration and coming together. The thoughts of everyone that was there are with those affected.

“As a ‘Highworthian’, Lechlade and Buscot are only a 15-minute drive away and always lovely to visit in the summer, so I imagine I’ll be spending some time there. Then on the other side of summer, I’m going away with my family for 10 days to Antalya in Turkey from 1 to 10 September, which will be great too!

“When I was younger, my family and I went to West Bay, next to Weymouth. It’s a lovely little seaside town. We enjoyed it so much that we returned the following year for a longer stay. The ITV show Broadchurch, which stars David Tennant, was filmed there.”

Tyrone

“My main plan this summer is to keep working towards my paraplanning role, passing my financial planning and regulations exams. Outside of that, I plan to have plenty of BBQs with family and friends.”

Sian

“My summer plans are studying. I’m preparing for what is, hopefully, my final exam in October.

“As soon as the sun shines, though, I’ll be outside. I’m pretty good with the BBQ so you’ll likely find me experimenting, making different styles of kebabs. I love minted lamb.

“I’m not sure if I’m getting away this summer but my favourite seaside destination will always be Tintagel in Cornwall. And when it comes to fish and chips, I’m a cod and chips girl. With curry sauce of course.”

Drew

“I’ve off on a cruise with my family this summer so really looking forward to that.

“Bridlington on the east coast is my favourite seaside town. It has everything!”

Sanjay

“I’m training hard for, and then embarking, on a Canadian canoeing expedition on the River Yukon, including exploring Vancouver and Whistler, for some hikes. It promises to be quite an adventure and I’m really looking forward to it!

“Beyond that, I’ve recently bought a new BBQ – just in time for National BBQ Week (26 May – 1 June). Having now had some of the garden landscaped, I’m finally intending to hone my BBQ skills this summer! I’ll be researching Pinterest for recipes to finesse.

“When I think about summer at the seaside it’s always Bournemouth for me. It has a mixture of activities to enjoy, and I now have close friends (and some clients) residing there.”

Elements Conference

Finally, the team will be attending the Elements conference from 9 – 10 July. All the team will be attending this so stay tuned to find out how we all got on.