Taking Stock - October 2013

Taking Stock October 2013

Colin LawsonManaging Partner

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 autumn edition of Taking Stock…

At the time of writing, we’re enjoying a splash of warm(ish!) weather and early autumn sunshine, following on from what has become an unusually sunny, dry summer. Here’s to more of them!!

The biggest item of news, of which I am personally very proud of is that we recently celebrated Equilibrium’s 18th birthday. I find it hard to believe that it really is 18 years ago since I started the business and how we have grown from pretty much a one-man start-up, to the relatively large organisation we are today. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our clients for their continued support and all of the EQ team for their help and commitment.

As always, we’ve had a very busy quarter with several members of the team undertaking huge challenges in support of our Foundation, a few additional new recruits and the start of our autumn seminar programme.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Taking Stock – if you have any comments, feedback or events that you would like including in future editions, then please do not hesitate to drop me a line at [email protected].

Kind regards

Colin Lawson Managing Partner

We are pleased to announce the engagement of Client Manager Mark Hird to his long term partner Joanne. Mark popped the question while enjoying

a weekend getaway to a boutique hotel in the Lake District. The happy couple are looking to get married

next year. Congratulations Mark & Joanne!

We are excited to announce that Equilibrium has been nominated for the Talk of Manchester ‘Best IFA’ award. While the vast majority of awards we enter are judged by a panel of experts, this award is judged by the people that matter to the business - our clients, staff and industry peers. We would be very grateful if you could support Equilibrium when the voting opens on 11 October.

Thanks for your support!

To celebrate our 18th birthday, we thought you would enjoy a look back at some of our previous incarnations.

The sight-seeing trips continue thanks to our generous and hard earned holiday package. The last few months have seen various members of Equilibrium travelling to:

Talk of Manchester Awards Happy Birthday Equilibrium

Wedding Bells

Where in the world is



Please visit www.thetalkofmanchesterawards.co.uk/awards

Equilibrium?

TembeMajorcaMenorcaPortugalLake Como

NaplesFranceTenerifeSri LankaScottish Highlands.

As you know, the Equilibrium Foundation relies on the hard work of clients and staff members for fundraising. The Jones family has taken our appeal for help and ran (cycled, swam, skydived) with it! Lucas (Equilibrium Client Manager) kicked off the fundraising efforts last September by completing the Tatton Park Triathlon. Passing on the baton in 2013, Mary (Lucas’ wife) plummeted towards earth for The National Autistic Society in a 30 second free-fall during a 10,000ft high skydive. Not to be outdone by their parents, Lucas’ daughters Eve (age 7) & Lily (age 6) ran the Race for Life 5K in aid of Cancer Research UK. After completing

Team Equilibrium represented the Equilibrium Foundation in the “We Love Manchester 10k Run”. The team included Client Managers Matt Dobson, Rachel Lee, Richard Beardmore, and Toby Ellington; Partner & Investment Manager Mike Deverell and Adviser Andy Baker. The event started at the Regional Athletics Arena, passing by the Etihad Stadium (formerly the City of Manchester Stadium) before finishing the run back at the Regional Athletics Arena. We entered the corporate challenge, which averaged the best three times of the group (Lucas 42mins, Andy 46mins, Matt 46mins). We are proud to announce that Team Equilibrium were awarded the silver medal!

Several years ago, Sally Mortimer (wife of John Mortimer, Equilibrium’s Business Development Manager) lost her father to dementia. In late 2012, Sally decided it was time to make a difference by climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK with the hope that the tragic illness which took her father could be cured. The hard training was coupled with an equally determined fundraising effort. Sally kicked off her fundraising with an appeal to the community of Equilibrium clients and staff.

Keeping up with the Joneses

Manchester 10k Sally’s Kilimanjaro Climb



a full Olympic Triathlon in 2012, Lucas then smashed past that already staggering achievement to take on a 1 mile swim, 38 mile cycle and 9 mile run up Helvellyn (3118 feet - 3rd highest peak in England) in the summer! On top of the hard training, the Joneses managed to raise over £2,000 for charity, which was doubled to over £4,000 by the Equilibrium Foundation. Congratulations Lucas, Mary, Eve and Lily on all your efforts this year!

Remember that the Equilibrium Foundation is keen to support causes with which our clients and staff have a personal affiliation. So, if you have a charity close to your heart, please get in touch!

The response was overwhelming with over £2,000 donated during the Equilibrium client Christmas party alone. A year on, Sally successfully battled for 5 days up

5,895m to eventually reach the summit ofthe African mountain. Sally, along with the help of the Equilibrium Foundation and the generosity of our clients, raised over £6,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Peter ChiodoExperience to date at Equilibrium… My time here has so far has been excellent. Thoroughly enjoy the people, the work and the company as a whole. It’s a refreshing place to be with great structure and even greater colleagues.

What have you most enjoyed about Equilibrium so far? Has to be the End of Year aka “get to know everyone”, celebrations, was a great way to speak to everyone and break us newbies in.

Tell us a bit about your background: By trade I am a Graphic Designer, with creative skill and personality.

I previously managed marketing and creative at British Millerain textile manufacturer and brand.

What would you be if you weren’t a Marketing Assistant? A food and travel writer. What better way to spend your time writing about the two things you love.

And finally, tell us something we don’t know about you! I once stayed with Monks in a temple, for 3 nights in Thailand meditating and experiencing a true Buddhist Monk lifestyle.

60 Seconds with...



David McKendrickExperience to date at Equilibrium… I have found the whole team very welcoming and helpful. Most of all I have been pleased and excited by the professionalism and enthusiasm demonstrated from top to bottom.

What have you most enjoyed about Equilibrium so far? The annual team briefing was a highlight. Not just the partying but the openness and fun within the briefing presentation.

Tell us a bit about your background: I have been in financial services for approximately 18 years after completing my degree from Manchester University. I have worked for a major insurance company and two financial planning firms linked to accountancy firms.

What would you be if you weren’t a Chartered Financial Planner: A professional golfer, if I were good enough. As I am not, maybe a teacher or an architect.

And finally, tell us something we don’t know about you! I was the youngest Golf Club Captain ever in Wales at the age of 29, unfortunately that was 10 years ago.

Niamh CostiganEquilibrium has been enjoyable and the friendly EQ team have made me feel really welcomed. The diverse workload of meeting with clients and reviewing their portfolio makes every day different and more interesting. I recently attended a seminar which gave me an insight into the high level of professional care given to each client and their portfolio.

What have you most enjoyed about Equilibrium so far? Most definitely has to be the thrill of taking part in the team briefing Shopping Challenge, it was great fun and a nice way to get know the friendly EQ team.

Tell us a bit about your background: I studied Accounting and Finance for four years here in Manchester and I spent one of those years on placement working at L’Oreal in the customer care department in Trafford Park.

What would you be if you weren’t a Client Manager? The next Annie Mac (famous worldwide professional DJ for the more mature readers among us…)

And finally, tell us something we don’t know about you! I’ve been on the Jeremy Kyle show … in the audience!

Events

10 Oct Successful Lifetime Investing The Mere Golf and Country Club, Mere, Knutsford

17 Oct Investing for Income The Hunting Lodge, Adlington Hall, Adlington

30 Oct Managing Risk & Meeting Expectations Doubletree Hilton, Hoole, Chester

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.

(left to right: David, Niamh, Peter)

Want to brush up on your investment & financial planning knowledge? Then join us at one of our seminars followed by a complimentary lunch. All presentations start at 10:30am.

Documents

Taking Stock - October 2013