Tuesday 21 May 2013

10 Year Anniversary

Much has happened since I first arrived to set up and run Ward Williams Financial Services Ltd in October 2003.

In the 10 years I have been at Ward Williams we have moved twice – from the High Street to Monument Hill and then fairly recently further up Monument Hill.  All of these moves have increased the distance of my commute from home to the office and the distance to the office’s normal “watering hole” – The Slug & Lettuce.

Initially I was working on a part time basis and Jane Watford, who looks after Payroll was designated as my assistant.

It was not long before I changed to full time and recruited our first employee, Clare Kingdon.  She is still with us and has been my “right hand man” through the expansion of Ward Williams Financial Services Ltd.

As the business expanded, further people were recruited and today we have the following team; Clare Kingdon, Hannah Peyton, Guy Campbell, Paul Nathan and Wayne Bass; a team of whom I feel that I can be justifiably proud. 

Ward Williams Financial Services Ltd now has over 800 clients and £58m of clients’ money under advice – significant numbers that demonstrate the success of the business.

Personally, the last 10 years have been hard work, but immensely enjoyable.  I have really enjoyed working with the staff, not only of Ward Williams Financial Services Ltd but also the whole Group.  The senior directors of Ward Williams Ltd, Malcolm McKinnell, Richard Hayward and Phil Grainger have been extremely supportive and I would like to place on record my appreciation of their efforts.

Finally, our clients, without whom we would not have a business.  A big thank you to you all.  I have enjoyed dealing with all of our clients and I hope that Ward Williams Financial Services Ltd can continue to provide them, and new clients, with a friendly and efficient service for many years to come.

I am certainly looking forward to the future.

Thanks for the last 10 years and here’s to the next 10.

  
Cliff Pocock

Breathing life back into your pensions!

FACT: In an economic climate of lower growth, plan charges take on greater significance.

Q: Are your old style pension plans being eaten away by old style draconian charges?


FACT: The risks you are prepared to take are as important as the rewards you hope to make

Q: Do you know if your pension funds are carrying too much downside risk? This is extremely important if you are closing in on retirement.


FACT: The retirement lifestyle you enjoy will only be as good as the income you generate.

Q: Do you know if your pension fund manager is restricting the growth of your retirement fund by consistently producing below-average investment returns?


FACT: The 5th May 2013 Sunday Times Money supplement carried this front-page lead:

“Pain for investors as funds shut down”

FACT: Managers of closed funds have no performance incentive to attract new investment.  

Q: Do you know if your pension plans are invested in one of the record 371 funds that were shut down over the last 12 months due to poor performance? Your pension funds could be unnecessarily losing thousands of pounds in value.


THE BIG QUESTION: If you hold a number of ‘frozen’ pension plans, how can you possibly hope to answer all these questions?

THE ANSWER: Let us help you answer these questions and provide you with simple, easy-to-understand solutions to increase your retirement income.


YOUR NEXT MOVE: Please contact our pension adviser Cliff Pocock (email cliff.pocock@wardwilliams.co.uk or call 01932 830664) to arrange a no cost, no obligation consultation for an initial analysis of your pension position.