Taking Stock - July 2014

Taking Stock Newsletter July 2014

Debbie JukesPartner

Equilibrium Asset Management LLP (a limited liability partnership) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Equilibrium Asset Management is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference 452261. The FCA regulates advice which we provide on investment and insurance business; however it does not regulate advice which we provide purely in respect of taxation matters. Copyright Equilibrium Asset Management LLP. Not to be reproduced without permission

Welcome to the summer edition of Taking Stock.

I hope you enjoy our EQ community newsletter that aims to bring you up to date with events and happenings here at Equilibrium.

Our ‘family’ continues to grow and I’m delighted to welcome Simon Lister, Robert Douglas, Courage Ruwanza, Jennifer Bessell and Laura Robinson to the team in their respective roles as Client Managers, Receptionist and Marketing Assistant.

During a busy last quarter, we have seen the nomination and title of the Knutsford Community Hero taken by local winner David Jones. Plus we had the winner of the Alderley Edge for Girls School Fantasy Investment League competition the prize for which was scooped up by Sorcha Chadwick.

The EQ team have been keeping busy with various challenges for charity, one of which was a football related quiz at the office in honour of the World Cup. Great fun was had by all although, sadly, my own team’s performance was about as impressive as the England squad in the actual tournament.

As always, if you have comments or feedback, please drop me a line at [email protected] Also, don’t forget that if you’re involved with any project or activity that you would like to promote, we would be happy to include the details.

Meanwhile, enjoy the sunshine . . .



Left to Right: Guardian news editor James Wilson with Community Hero winner

David Jones, Colin Lawson from Equilibrium Asset Management and Val Bryant, 2013

Community Hero Winner

Equilibrium Managing Partner Colin Lawson congratulated David by saying:

“He has shown great dedication, generosity and kindness to the community over many years, giving up his time to help with local charities, the Lions and the Good Neighbours Scheme, all helping to make Knutsford a great place to live. He works tirelessly to help others in the local community.”

David has been an active member of the Lions Club for over 30 years and was instrumental in setting up the Knutsford Talking Newspaper and the vital Good Neighbours Scheme, which helps people who are having problems attending hospital appointments.

He has also decided to share his £500 prize between Knutsford Lions, Knutsford Talking Newspaper and Knutsford Good Neighbours.

Knutsford Community Hero

David Jones has been named as Knutsford’s Community Hero for 2014

Fantasy Investment LeagueYear 12 student, Sorcha Chadwick, from Alderley Edge School for Girls, has been crowned the winner of the Equilibrium Fantasy Investment League.

The aim of league was to educate economics and business studies pupils at the school on how the stock market works and how global events can have an impact on the UK economy.

Sorcha made a healthy 5.04% profit over six months on the £300 investment fund she was given at the start of the competition. She won an iPad as well as securing a £250 donation from The Equilibrium Foundation for her school house charity, CLIC Sargent, which supports children with cancer.

Mike Deverell, investment manager at Equilibrium, said: “This was a really interesting project and it was fascinating to see how the girls did. When we ran the league last year it was during a time when everything was going up and the pupils made between 4% and 9% gains. This year was more challenging as some markets did much better than others. We saw a range from minus 5% to plus 5%

“Sorcha helped her returns by buying into emerging markets after the sector had fallen and then selling at a profit after it had recovered. She did really well from this trade and it made all the difference in such a close competition.”



Equilibrium’s relationship with Key 103’s Cash for Kids charity continued this month with our World Cup themed quiz at Equilibrium HQ. Teams of 5 competed in 5 rounds on flags, culture, music, food and world cup trivia. A team comprised of Lucas, Rich, Laura, Mark, and Andrew (pictured below) took the EQ Crown. We’re delighted to have raised just over £200 for Cash for Kids.

Cash for Kids Football Quiz

The great work of the Equilibrium Foundation has been continued by two of our youngest fundraisers to date. Lucy (right), daughter of Equilibrium Financial Planner David McKendrick, and her friend Abigail braved the schoolyard to sell homemade cakes & biscuits to classmates in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Their initiative was rewarded by Equilibrium, who doubled the amount they raised, donating a total of £70 for the worthwhile cause.

The Great British (Heart Foundation) Bake Off

Equilibrium Fantasy Football League

Each year a number of the Equilibrium team compete in a Barclays Premier League Fantasy Football League. Usually, the league is dominated by the statistically driven investment team, but this season, an unlikely competitor knocked them off their perch. A team of ladies from the office led by Client Manager Rachel Lee entered the competition and pipped the boys to the post. Congratulations to Rachel and her team!

Client Manager Niamh Costigan has been selected for a once in a lifetime experience to join the ICS program’s ‘Restless Development Nepal’ project. Unfortunately for Equilibrium, Niamh will be leaving us to work on various charity projects in the poorest parts of Nepal. Restless Development looks to address three main problems common to third world counties; civil participation, livelihood & employment, and sexual & reproductive health.

As a part of Niamh’s placement (which is funded by the UK government), she was asked to raise £800 which would go directly to the people that needed it in Nepal. Niamh tackled the scorching Bupa Great Manchester Run (25°c) and with the help of the Equilibrium foundation, she more than achieved her goal.

We wish her the best of luck on her travels.

Kathmandu Calling!



On Sunday 1 June, Client Manager Rebecca Johnson-Townley and her horse ‘Runnon Rio Grande’ took the top prize of ‘Champion Riding Horse’ at the Rutland County Show. Rebecca and Rio won their preliminary heat before clinching the top spot in the finals later that day. Rebecca can now look forward to a trip Brighton in August for the prestigious Royal International Horse Show, where she will compete with Rio against the best the nation has to offer.

Rebecca and Rio take top prize at Rutland County Show

New Arrivals In the past three months, the Equilibrium family has boomed with six new starters joining us. In addition to our new staff, we are pleased to welcome our two youngest members that make our baby faced new graduates look like old men.

Financial Planner Andy Baker and his wife Lucy, become parents for the second time with the addition of a little sister for 3 year old Emma. Chloe Rose Baker was born in April weighing 7lbs 5oz.

Soon after, Manager Paul Farrugia and his wife Catherine became first time parents with the birth of 8lb 3oz Isaac William Farrugia in May.

Chloe Rose Baker

Isaac William Farrugia

Claire’s Sahara Desert TrekThree months to go! As mentioned in previous issues of Taking Stock, Client Manager Claire Hayward has set herself the challenge of a 5 day trek through the Sahara in support of St Luke’s Hospice in Essex. Claire has been training and fundraising hard over the past few months, making great strides to hit her £2,000 target.

Claire looks forward to a boost in donations as a result of a charity pizza on the menu at ‘That Pizza Place’ in Wilmslow. All profits from the pizza are added to Claire’s fundraising total which will be doubled by Equilibrium. So if you are planning to be a little naughty by ordering a pizza, you can feel great knowing you are helping St Luke’s Hospice.

Matt – Barbados

Anne – Rhodes Richard – Budapest Colin & Gaynor – Toronto & Petit St Vincent Niall – Portugal Debbie – Dorset

Simon – Back to back festivals! Glastonbury -

then to Croatia for the Garden Festival. John – Isle of Man for the TT Nilesh – Port Aventura, Spain

Where in the world is Equilibruim?Rebecca Johnson-Townley – J10 - Discretionary Management for Diploma level

Matthew Dobson – RO4 - Pensions & Retirement Planning

Kevin Rickard – AF4 - Investment Planning

Andy Baker– AF5 - Financial Planning Process

Mark Hird – AF5 - Financial Planning Process

Catherine Dooley – AF3 - Pension Planning (can now apply for Chartered Status)

Exam Passes

60 Seconds with...


Simon ListerExperience to date at Equilibrium… My tenure to date has been great. The EQ team has been very welcoming and friendly. The environment is energetic, professional and yet very social which is refreshing to see and be part of.

What have you most enjoyed about Equilibrium so far? The monthly team Q&A’s and staff get-together!

Tell us a bit about your background: I’ve worked in the financial services industry for almost three years now. Prior to joining EQ I was working for a debt solutions company. Whilst working there I studied and completed my Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning.

What would you be if you weren’t a Client Manager? Always wanted to be a pilot!

And finally, tell us something we don’t know about you! Budding DJ - I mix music, vinyl and CD-Js and I’m attempting to learn how to produce my own tracks.


60 Seconds with...

Robert Douglas_Experience to date at Equilibrium… Excellent! Everyone has been incredibly welcoming; there’s a real family feel about the company. This mixed with professionalism and a client centric attitude is great to see.

What have you most enjoyed about Equilibrium so far? My colleagues are a huge positive. I’ve also enjoyed meeting clients in the reviews I’ve been given the opportunity to attend. As every client’s circumstances are unique, every day presents something new; this makes getting up in the morning very easy!

Tell us a bit about your background: I studied Economics with Philosophy at the University of Nottingham, graduating last year. After several months travelling to various places around the world I decided it was time to settle. All I had to do was decide what I wanted to be doing! Luckily, someone I play football with knew an adviser in Hale who was looking for staff. It was there I passed my first professional exam and gained valuable experience to bring to my interview with Equilibrium.

What would you be if you weren’t a Client Manager? Exploring the few areas of the world which are still relatively inaccessible as a photographer would be incredible… if I had an eye for photography.

And finally, tell us something we don’t know about you! I won an archery competition last Summer – it was the first time I’d ever used a bow!



Suggestions for improvement!

“more space and privacy for interviews with advisers”

We are pleased to say we have remedied any concerns regarding the privacy of meeting rooms. We hope that our new range of meeting suites will provide a comfortable and private setting for sensitive talks with your adviser. If for any reason you would prefer a meeting without a Client Manager present, then please let us know before your appointment.

“investigate more obscure opportunities for investment”

We have several ‘standard’ portfolios available which range from a cautious through to a speculative approach. One, or a blend, of these portfolios tends to suit the majority of our clients. In addition, our philosophy is not to invest in an area that we don’t understand or appears too good to be true; hence it is true that we usually stick to what may be perceived as ‘conservative’ types of investments. However, if there is something specific you would like the investment team to research, then they will be happy to do so.

Client FeedbackMany of you will have been asked to fill out a postcard at your annual review, which is mailed to an independent third party, who then displays the results online. We are very proud of the feedback we have received from you all, which shows a 96/100 rating, and thought we would share some of your comments – the good and the bad!

Well done!

“There is a very friendly atmosphere at Equilibrium Asset Management and I am more than happy with my portfolio.”

I am pleased that our ‘friendly expert’ approach is appreciated.

“Jason Lowe and Lucas Jones at Equilibrium Asset Management inspire confidence and there is no high pressured sales activity.”

Giving our clients future financial confidence is our mission so it’s great to see that we’re succeeding.

After a great series of seminars, we are pleased to announce the remaining dates in our autumn seminar schedule.

Events

Successful Lifetime Investing

Thursday 11 September The Hunting Lodge, Adlington Hall, Adlington Thursday 18 September Doubletree Hilton, Hoole, Chester Thursday 25 September The Mere, Mere, Knutsford

Current Financial Affairs

Thursday 9 October The Hunting Lodge, Adlington Hall, Adlington Thursday 16 October Doubletree Hilton, Hoole, Chester Tuesday 21 October The Mere, Mere, Knutsford

Demand is expected to be high so RSVP as soon as possible to avoid disappointment by simply emailing [email protected] or calling Emma on 0161 486 2250

Taking Stock - July 2014

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Transcript of Taking Stock - July 2014