Unprecedented Times
A look at how one of the Kellands team has adapted to cope with the challenges of 2020.
This year, many of us had to abruptly shift from office life to working from home, something that’s likely to continue for a little while yet. Whilst it has brought its challenges, Kellands was well prepared, remaining fully operational and open for business throughout the year. We hear from our Senior Researcher and Paraplanner Andy Turner on how he has adapted and look at some of his personal and professional highlights from 2020. Read Andy’s article here.
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
This year, many of us had to abruptly shift from office life to working from home, something that’s likely to continue for a little while yet. Whilst it has brought its challenges, it was a relief that Kellands was well prepared, remaining fully operational and open for business throughout the year.
The previous investments Kellands have made into its day-to-day technology and online platform have certainly come into their own! The online client Wealth Platform means than our clients can access documents, update their details and view their investments via our secure online platform. Adding into the mix the rise in popularly in various video conferences facilities, and of course the traditional telephone, it’s been business as usual for us.
FOCUS ON COMMUNICATIONS
For me, having the flexibility of working from home has meant time that was normally spent commuting into the office can be invested and therefore used more productively. However, the biggest advantage of flexible working came when myself and my wife welcomed our first child, Joel, into the world on 16 January this year. Being able to work at home has enabled me to spend more time with Joel, enjoying lunch breaks taking him out for walks, being able to sit in on health visitor appointments, as well as the less fun tasks such as taking him for his first injections!
I appreciate that it has been hard not to have face-to-face contact with clients, and I’m pleased to say there has been a real focus on our communications this year. Kellands have produced various updates on the planning opportunities that COVID-19 has brought, as well as regular market updates, which can be found on our website under the news and views section. We also regularly send updates out on our social media channels and through our e-newsletter, and of course in print with Independent News. Now, more than ever, we want to make sure we are keeping in touch with our clients, providing them with all of the Kellands and wider market news.
STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
Despite all of the challenges this year has brought, we continue to go from strength to strength. September saw further success for Kellands at the Moneyfacts Life and Pensions awards 2020. We were recognised and awarded Highly Commended in the Tax and Estate Planner of the Year category, our third time being successful in this category. Sadly, we couldn’t be there to celebrate in person, but the virtual awards were great fun, and one of our Advisers even won the ‘Best Dressed’ award!
During October, Kellands supported financial planning week organised by the not for- profit professional body the CISI in which we offered free financial planning sessions. It was a great success and really highlighted how important it is at the moment for people to review their finances and seek specialist advice on how to manage their money. Off the back of this, we now run our weekly Friday morning drop-in session virtually; details can be found on our website.
As you can see, whilst the year so far has been somewhat unprecedented, it has presented itself with various personal and professional highlights. As the year draws to a close, the team at Kellands wish our clients the very best – and remember, we are only a Zoom call away!
Andy Turner, Senior Researcher & Paraplanner