Monthly Archives: June 2023

Entertainment, Gaming, Gaming & Entertainment

5 Best Games to Stimulate Your Business Brain

Believe it or not, there are still plenty of people who wrongly assume that games are bad for you. Just because you enjoy something, doesn’t mean that it isn’t good for your brain. There are plenty of great games out there that can be beneficial for your mind while sharpening up your logic and reasoning skills, as well as helping you to relax and enjoy some downtime.

Blackjack

Blackjack is a casino staple and is one of those games that can get the brain functioning and considering strategy.

The base game of blackjack is one that has plenty of opportunities for building a strategy and making choices and calculated risks. There are also other types of additional ways that people can turn blackjack into an even more advanced game. For instance, side bets can be a great way to make the game even more advanced, they can act as a form of insurance bet in some scenarios, therefore expanding the options and decision making process when you are dealt your hand. That said, blackjack is a game of chance and strategy alone won’t guarantee you a win.

Chess

Chess is an ancient game that is associated with smart people all over the globe. It isn’t easy to get to the point where you are legitimately good at this game, so prepare to put the hours in as you work out the best ways to beat your opponents. There are virtually limitless possibilities for a chess game. With all of the pieces moving slightly differently, strategy and rules are bound to test your brain. You need to stay sharp while playing or you will, inevitably, end up in a checkmate situation!

Chess is best played against other humans and, fortunately, with plenty of online chess sites out there and the chances to connect to quality Internet and 4G networks increasing, there are a lot of ways that you can log in and play against others, even when you are on the go.

Crosswords

Crosswords are one of many different word games that do a great job of testing your brain and giving it that extra bit of stimulation. You’re using language skills as well as a bit of creative thinking in many different circumstances.

On top of this, when you choose to play a crossword game, you might also get to try out a cryptic crossword, which means even more potentially tricky clues that really get your brain thinking. Cryptic clues are not very linear, which means you sometimes have to work out a riddle before you even work out the word that you need to fit in.

Some crosswords are more difficult than others and you can find them in magazines and newspapers or specifically buy books full of crosswords.

Tetris

Whether you’re old enough to remember playing this on a Game Boy or you’ve played it in your browser, or even using retro gaming apps, plenty of us know what it feels like to become obsessed with Tetris. The satisfaction of seeing the pieces fall into place is certainly one of the reasons this game was such a huge success.

Did you know that playing it is actually good for you, too?

Science Daily explains that “Brain imaging shows playing Tetris leads to a thicker cortex and may also increase brain efficiency, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Research Notes.”

Being able to form patterns, plan ahead and get out of tricky situations, as well as thinking quickly, are all parts of the experience when you are playing Tetris. These are all skills that can help in real life and Tetris is a great way to stimulate the brain in this way and start to get your mind working. As we can see from the studies, there is proof of long-term benefits.

Jigsaw Puzzles

You either love them or hate them. Jigsaw puzzles can be infuriating and they can be either far too difficult or far too easy (stay away from the kids’ selection).

However, in a similar way to Tetris, the skills you are using to work out the patterns and fit everything together can certainly start to stimulate your brain and provide you with a little cerebral kickstart when you need it. A good way to keep the mind ticking over on a day off, for instance – and if the thought of messy pieces everywhere drives you nuts, why not try a Jigsaw app?  There are loads to choose from.

Summary

There are so many different games that can stimulate your brain. From card games to puzzle games, and even word games. In fact, there are also computer games that can be good for certain skills in your brain, so there’s no reason to feel guilty about playing!

Charity & CSR, Charity Events, Law, Sport

Thames Valley based Blaser Mills Law beat the heat to win the 2023 Jansons Rowing Cup

Local businesses unite and raise over £10,500 for Myocarditis UK

Blaser Mills Law set the fastest time at this year’s Jansons Rowing Cup and secured first place with a winning time of 1:21mins and followed one second behind by Ridge Consulting in the local competition on Wednesday, 14th June 2023 at Dorney Lake in Berkshire. The Jansons Rowing Cup started in 2016 with just a handful of boats crewed by a bunch of enthusiastic local business owners. Today, the sell-out event, has 90+ rowers working in law and architecture through to property and transport.

Andy Jansons, Managing Director of Jansons Property comments: “For the eighth year in a row this event has been a great success, bringing together the local business community to network and fundraise. This year all tickets sold out in advance, and I’m delighted to say that the money raised has gone to Myocarditis UK which reached a major fundraising milestone recently of £1,000.000. Thank you to everyone who attended and made it a fantastic event!”

With 13 teams of rowers taking part, only one could be crowned the winner. Blaser Mills Law declared victory with most improved team being Lewis & Partners. The team securing last place is historically awarded with the Crabbed Oar, this year it was Flourish PR. The Jansons Cup begins with heats followed by semi-finals and lastly the A and B finals to choose the winning teams. The local guests arrived at 12:15pm, with the rowing commencing at 1:15pm and then concluding with a short awards ceremony along with a BBQ in the clubhouse to celebrate the day.

This year’s entrants are from a variety of local and regional businesses including:

  • Berkeley Group Plc
  • Blaser Mills Law
  • DAY Architectural Ltd
  • Evoke Transport
  • Flourish PR
  • Haslams Chartered Surveyors
  • i-Transport
  • Lewis & Partners
  • Lichfields UK
  • Ridge Consulting
  • Savills
  • Savills Hotels
  • Walsingham Planning

 

Hiren Gandhi, Partner at Blaser Mills Law, comments; “We’ve been taking part in Jansons Property Rowing Cup for 5 years. After winning once before 4 years ago, we’re delighted to scoop the Jansons Cup again in 2023. Winning the Cup is a bonus as the main highlight for the team is being able to support Myocarditis UK, and their tireless efforts to raise money for the rare heart condition. Although we are now tired and drained, it has been well worth the effort.”

All funds raised on the day are donated to Myocarditis UK – a charity dedicated to researching the causes, prevention, and cures of this life-threatening heart condition. To donate and to find out more about Myocarditis UK, please visit www.myocarditisuk.com where you can also discover the full events list for 2023.

Awards, Newport, News, Travel

ICC Wales and The Celtic Collection nominated for six major business events industry awards

ICC Wales and The Celtic Collection have been nominated for a total of six Meetings & Incentive Travel Awards, one of the largest awards ceremonies for the UK business events industry.

Celtic Manor Resort

The Celtic Collection, a prestigious family of experience-focused UK business and leisure destinations including the Celtic Manor Resort, was shortlisted in the Best Hotel Brand Category. In addition, Celtic Manor, was shortlisted for the Best UK Conference Centre and for Best UK Hotel, an accolade it has won nine times in the last dozen years.

As well as three nominations for The Celtic Collection’s hotels, ICC Wales, the £83.7m joint venture between The Celtic Manor Resort and Welsh Government, has been shortlisted for three awards including Best UK Conference Centre, Best Positive Impact/Event Legacy Award for its work on Martyn’s Law and the venue’s Sales Director, Danielle Bounds, has been shortlisted for Personality of the Year.

 

Rachel Phillips, Sales Director, The Celtic Collection said: “To be shortlisted for one award by our industry peers is a huge achievement but three is outstanding. It is a true testament to the hard work of the teams at The Celtic Manor Resort and across The Celtic Collection who are committed to providing event professionals with a fantastic experience during their time at our properties.”

Danielle Bounds

Danielle Bounds, Sales Director at ICC Wales said: “The team at ICC Wales work incredibly hard day in, day out to bring world-class events to Wales and to be recognised for this achievement and our commitment to educating the sector on Martyn’s Law makes me extremely proud. On a personal note, it is an absolute honour to be a finalist in the Personality of the Year category, to be commended by my industry peers is an amazing feeling.”

This is not the first time Danielle has been recognised for her work in educating the global events sector on Martyn’s Law (also known as Protect Duty). Earlier this year she was named as an Innovator winner in the Smart Women in Meetings Awards for 2023.

 

This year’s Meetings & Incentive Travel Awards ceremony will take place on Friday 15th September at Evolution in London.

—

Image of ICC Wales Dragon
26.08.19
©Steve Pope
Fotowales

 

Accountancy & Accounts, ESG Investments, ESG/CSR, News, Wales News

Accountancy and finance professionals must drive the journey towards social equity, says ACCA report

The future of our organisations and society itself depends on sustainability and a just transition

Accountancy and finance professionals are at the forefront of the transition to a sustainable future according to the latest research by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). Finance professionals from around the world – including Wales – shared their views, resulting in ACCA’s new report ‘Accounting for Society’s Values’.

Organisations need to transition to a sustainable future that embraces the economic, environmental and social aspects in combination. Society faces long-term challenges from social injustice, with stakeholders and regulators increasingly focusing on the social implications of the actions of organisations. That’s why defining and measuring the return to society by an organisation’s activities is becoming as important as the financial objectives themselves.

The accountancy and finance profession needs to see this as an opportunity to define its future role and put the social agenda at the core of the profession.

 

Three key messages from this report:

  1. The profession’s future embraces sustainability through social equity and protecting the environment.
  2. Measuring the social agenda is difficult, but we must act.
  3. There is a strong business imperative to embed this agenda into strategy now.

 

Helen Brand OBE, ACCA chief executive, commented: “The social agenda is a broad one and requires organisations to act now. Without the valued and proactive input of the accountancy and finance profession, the goal of reaching sustainability for all organisations will be unattainable. The profession has an opportunity to play its full part in enabling the just transition, not least the social aspect – one that it cannot afford to shirk.”

 

Report author and senior insights manager at ACCA, Clive Webb, said: “Whilst the emphasis for many organisations may have become focused on the environmental aspects of a just transition, it is important to ensure that nobody is left behind.”

 

Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/Wales, said: “The social agenda is a vital element of the transition and whilst it may present challenges in readily measuring progress this cannot be an excuse for a lack of action. Accountancy and finance professionals need to be at the forefront on ensuring that their organisations measure and report performance in this area if we are to be a just society.”

 

For more information, read the full report on the ACCA website.

 

News

17,000 attend record-breaking equestrian and lifestyle festival following revamp

MORE than 17,000 visitors enjoyed this year’s record-breaking Bolesworth International.

The lifestyle and equestrian festival packed hundreds of activities into five days on the border of North Wales and Cheshire, featuring celebrity guests, international showjumping competitions and a feast of fun for all the family.

The Brand New Heavies, Rick Parfitt Jr and DJ Trevor Nelson were among the stars who took to the live music stage over the weekend, and from Wednesday to Sunday there was a wide selection of things to do, from falconry displays, freestyle motocross and a wildlife and reptile show to a celebrity BBQ masterclass, fancy dress parade, BMX displays, a dog activity zone, EV and hybrid automotive test drive zone and much, much more.

There was also a Women in Business panel with broadcaster and journalist Louise Minchin, Ernst and Young tax leader Victoria Price, and Wrexham AFC CEO Fleur Robinson, before a networking event the following day with sporting legends Michael Owen and Sir A P McCoy, who regaled the sell-out crowd with tales from their successful careers.

With 105 horses in training at his Manor House Stables in Cheshire, former Liverpool and England striker Michael said the equine and business worlds share many of the same values as football, adding: “You have to surround yourself with the best people; you might have the best manager and be at the best club but unless you have the best players it’s pretty hard to turn them into world beaters.

“It’s exactly the same principle in business, which is why we aimed high, for the best trainer, the best staff, the best facility and best of everything – hoping you get a little luck along the way!”

In addition to world-leading showjumping categories, the fairground and myriad attractions across the estate, there were artisan food and drink trucks and a retail village with more than 100 producers, equine independents, makers, and artists.

Bolesworth’s Managing Director Nina Barbour said the new-look event was designed to attract even more families to what was traditionally a celebration of all things equine.

“Our love of horses and showjumping is paramount and at the centre of everything we do at the Bolesworth International,” said Nina.

“But we wanted to do even more for our visitors this summer, especially families, which is why we introduced so many different elements.

“From live entertainment to fairground rides, activities for dogs, children’s games, action-packed shows and the EV driving zone – a particular favourite on Father’s Day – we tried to cover all bases.

“The feedback and numbers we’ve had through the gates were astonishing, we are absolutely thrilled and thank everyone who was a part of the event this year.

“From our brilliant staff to the competitors, stall holders, event partners and all of those people who bought tickets, we are incredibly grateful and look forward to seeing you at further events in the months ahead.”

The showjumping culminated in victory in the Cavago CSI3* Grand Prize for Irish star Billy Twomey, riding Chat Botte E.D.

Elsewhere, in the eVet Drug-sponsored Puissance, the winners were specialists Guy Williams and Mr Blue Sky who jumped a staggering 2.15m in the final round, and Veneno, ridden by Scotsman Graham Gillespie, took the plaudits in the Dodson & Horrell 1.50m jump-off.

Bolesworth Castle has a packed schedule for the second half of 2023, including the much-anticipated new Jurassic Live adventure (July 25-30), Cheshire Balloon Fiesta (August 4-6), a Halloween Circus, Fireworks and Christmas at Bolesworth, a festive extravaganza to feature a 240 square-metre ice-skating rink, a Champagne bar, and the popular lights trail.

To book your tickets and for the latest news and information about events at Bolesworth, visit www.bolesworth.com or call 01829 782210.

Alternatively, email info@bolesworth.com and follow them on social media at @bolesworth.

News, Property, Retirement

Selling up and downsizing to a rental retirement home – why now could be the ideal time

News that house prices are remaining resilient, but that further interest rate rises are predicted could make now the ideal time for people to sell up, downsize and move to a rented retirement apartment, according to Dominic Stead, Property Director at My Future Living.

Last month Rightmove[i] showed that the average asking price for a home in Great Britain increased by 1.8% in May, which pushed average prices to a record high of £372,894.

However, those on variable rate mortgages or coming to the end of a fixed deal won’t welcome the news that the Bank of England is widely tipped to increase interest rates once again next week[ii] as inflation remains high.

Dominic Stead, Property Director, My Future Living

Dominic Stead said: “Downsizing and renting in a retirement development can be a good financial decision. The sale of a house can free up capital in bricks and mortar and if people rent they no longer have to deal with any maintenance or the up keep of a home.

“Many people will have experienced their pension income not going as far, so downsizing could be an opportunity to enjoy the equity they have built up in a home in their retirement and make life a little bit easier.

“Moving to a retirement development is still about independent living but in a friendly and social community. A major benefit is assured tenancies too which give the same security of tenure as home ownership – something that is key for people selling up and renting.

“The great news is people can move into a retirement development from age 55 when many may still be paying a mortgage and working. For couples and singles alike it can be a good solution and enable a better standard of living than if they stayed as home owners.”

Robin & Val’s Story

Robin (67 years old) and Val Greenfield (64 years old) moved to a one-bedroom apartment in retirement development Waverley Court in New Milton, Hampshire just over a year ago. Val still works full time as an Activities Organiser in a Dementia Care Home and Robin is a retired actor.

Val said: “We wanted to find a home to grow old in, so we weren’t prisoners in a flat having to go up flights of stairs and we did not want to become a burden to our children. I have two elderly parents and I’ve seen the pitfalls of not making the move earlier enough in life. We thought let’s do it whilst we can make a good choice of where we want to be. This apartment came up on the ground floor and it seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

“The renting process was straightforward with no hiccups or issues. Before we moved in, the leaking tap was fixed, and the carpets were replaced and whole place was re-decorated.  We’re now completely settled and have made it feel really homely. Our apartment is cosy but spacious. Even though we downsized from a two bedroom apartment, we didn’t need to get rid of lots of things as the apartment has lots of space.”

 

Talking about the benefits of living in Waverley Court Robin said: “We’ve got the peace of mind we’ve always wanted. It’s an ideal size for us and in a great position, close to the high street, which has a market day, and the beach. It will also so be great for our future when we get a little dog as pets are allowed and we are on the ground floor.”

Val adds: “When we both are not working there is a lot going on. The community is really friendly and there are regular coffee mornings, lovely evening events and quizzes. There are parties too for special days, and it’s really nice to know there are things to do without even going out of the front door.

“In the unlikely event that one of us is no longer here we are within a community where we already know people. I think that will be comforting for either of us. But we hope that’s a long way in the future. We both still feel young!”

 

They concluded that: “After 37 years of marriage, we couldn’t be happier together and we’ve now found the perfect place for the next 37 years of marriage.”

 

My Future Living offer rental apartments in retirement developments throughout the UK. Apartments are available on an assured ‘lifetime’ tenancy, which means people can stay as long as they wish, as long as they keep to the terms of their lease.

Developments benefit from landscaped gardens, a communal lounge to socialise in plus a 24-hour emergency alarm system in each apartment and an onsite manager on duty.

To find out more about renting a home in a retirement development visit: www.myfutureliving.co.uk

[i] https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/property-news/house-prices-hit-record-high-may-2023/

[ii] https://news.sky.com/video/interest-rates-no-alternative-to-rises-in-bid-to-bring-down-inflation-says-chancellor-12902064

ESG/CSR

Roman Semiokhin: Understanding the Difference Between ESG and CSR

Roman Semiokhin is an investor and philanthropist who pledged his support to aid government efforts following wildfires in Cyprus, providing emergency relief to families whose homes had been damaged or destroyed in the catastrophe. This article will look at environmental, social and governance (ESG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR), exploring the key differences between them.

The terms ESG and CSR are often used interchangeably, although there are important differences between them. Although both acronyms measure a company’s impact on society, ESG reflects a company’s external impact, whereas CSR is an internal initiative designed to enable a company to fulfil its corporate purpose. In order for social impact professionals to help their organisation live up to its values and make a positive impact on society, it is crucial for them to recognise the difference between the two principles.

ESG establishes a framework by which to evaluate a company’s impact. Environmental, social and governance is an umbrella term that refers to criteria used by stakeholders – and in particular, investors – to assess a company’s impact on society. When evaluating investment opportunities, in addition to analysing a company’s traditional financial metrics, many investors also look at its ESG rating.

Many companies publish an annual impact report showcasing their ESG ratings. The aim of this is to help the company’s leaders, investors, employees and customers understand whether corporate decisions are having a positive impact.

Corporate social responsibility refers to a company’s internal policies, practices and values that address social, economic and environmental issues. All of these different facets are combined in a corporate purpose statement. Rather than being externally regulated or mandated by external bodies, CSR agendas are set by leadership, management and employees, with each party holding themselves internally accountable. Ideally, CSR principles should be embedded in a company’s culture, driving decisions regarding community investments, giving programs and volunteering initiatives.

People are more socially conscious today than ever before, with consumers prepared to pay more for sustainable products. The CSR model provides a conduit through which companies can report their sustainability efforts to buyers and stakeholders.

A company’s CSR strategy may prioritise lowering the business’s carbon footprint, improving labour practices and/or engaging in charity and corporate volunteering. One well-publicised example is Microsoft, which aims to minimise its own carbon footprint while simultaneously helping customers to do the same. Another example is Verizon, which has provided school children with virtual learning technology to help bridge the digital divide.

Both ESG and CSR policies help to inform the general public about the goals and values of a business. They can be used by businesses simultaneously, with CSR providing an internal framework to communicate with employees and ESG used to establish measurable goals. In other words, CSR can be used for driving internal awareness of initiatives, while ESG provides the solid numbers behind them.

To incorporate ESG, businesses need to undertake materiality assessments, collecting insights from stakeholders; conducting gap analysis; setting goals; developing a measurable roadmap on KPIs; and reporting on progress. Companies must also consider their corporate culture, its impact on the environment and their relationship with the local community, putting leadership in a better position to educate the workforce on how they can be part of the solution.

Swedish furniture manufacturer IKEA operates one of the most sustainable supply chains of its industry today, with 100% of its cotton sourced from farms that adhere to the Better Cotton standards and 50% of its wood sourced from sustainable foresters. In addition, IKEA stores worldwide are powered by more than 700,000 solar panels.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic electronics company has achieved remarkable feats in sustainability. The company moved its North American headquarters from New Jersey to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified building near Penn Station in downtown Newark. In doing so, the company eliminated the need for employees to drive to work, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Tobias Buxhoidt is the founder and CEO of parcelLab. He reflects that many brands preach about their sustainability credentials. However, in terms of showing the willingness or flexibility necessary to allow customers to make more eco-friendly delivery choices, many are falling short – for example, overlooking opportunities to audit package sizing to reduce waste or neglecting to give customers the choice of carbon offsetting in the transportation process.

In the built environment, companies have a wide range of options to make themselves more sustainable, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind turbines and solar panels; using sustainable, ethically-sourced materials in a building’s construction; and implementing recycling measures and rainwater harvesting.

Both CSR and ESG hinge on a company embracing sustainable practices. ESG tends to focus on more specific issues, such as waste management, fair labour practices and carbon emissions, providing metrics that can instil confidence in investors and the broader market. Meanwhile, CSR is more qualitative and can be used to build internal awareness and goals within a business.

For more information about ESG and CSR, visit Roman Semiokhin’s website: https://romansemiokhin.com

 

Insurance

Insurance Made Simple: A Practical Guide for Self-Employed Business Owners

When it comes to sorting the administrative details out for your business, there are some elements that just feel beyond painful. One of those is ironically insurance, given that it is supposed to be something that gives you absolute peace of mind that your business is safe in the event something unexpected should occur. That said, it doesn’t need to be the headache that it so clearly is, and it can be a lot easier than you might think.

As far as self-employment goes, we’ve seen a steady increase over the last couple of decades, though COVID-19 brought with it an inevitable decline in self-employed people in the UK. That said, with COVID seemingly in the rear-view mirror, we are seeing some signs of a recovery regarding the figures relating to those that choose to work for themselves. This is something definitely worth celebrating, but also the perfect opportunity to consider what makes a business successful, but above all bulletproof in the face of adversity.

Of course, there are countless things that make a business successful – above all, a steady income and a solid customer base. But just how reliable are those things when it comes to maintaining the business? What if something goes awry along the way? Can you afford not to take out insurance to ensure your company’s future? These are all questions well worth asking yourself when you think about the longevity of your business.

 

Think about yourself

It goes without saying that if you weren’t the kind of person to take risks, you wouldn’t have a business in the first place, though of course there is an element of caution required. This insurance tends to fall into two categories; personal and business insurance. That’s not to say there aren’t other kinds of categories, but these are the two primarily worth focusing on.

The priority for you should always be personal, so life insurance is a necessity, especially if you have a family that depends on your income. As well as this, you should look for insurance in the event of something unexpected happening – for example, illness or injury. If this prevents you from doing what you do best, then can you really afford to carry on without a requisite plan in place?

Income protection is also something to really think about, and this does naturally tie in with thinking about your business. But if anything should go wrong with that business, it’s always good to know you have a failsafe plan in place.

Taking care of yourself and your family is paramount, as without this foundational step, business success would be nigh on impossible regardless. Even having said that, your health and wellbeing, as well as that of your family, are much more important than any success in business.

 

Then think about your business

If you have the foundation in place, then there’s a good chance success for your business will generally follow suit, but of course there are many important things to consider for the safety and security of your business in the longer-term future. As mentioned, income protection is important, but liability insurance should be a priority.

Public liability insurance pays out in the event of any error from your business that results in injury or damage to a member of the public. An example of when this might be required is when someone slips due to a spillage within your commercial property. In many cases, customers may wish to see proof of insurance when doing business with you.

As well as this, professional indemnity insurance for bookkeepers is an absolute must-have. Professional indemnity insurance (PI) offers protection in the event that a customer or client claims that they have received poor advice that has resulted in loss of profits or harm to their own business. Much like with public liability insurance, you may feel that it’s unneeded, but it’s a vital safety net in any case.

Then we come to some of the more practical and tangible kinds of insurance, such as buildings and contents insurance, equipment insurance, and goods-in-transit insurance. These are all fairly self-explanatory, but they are crucial in the event of a fire or a burglary of your premises. As with most insurance, hopefully you won’t need it, but it’s always there if you do.

 

In any case, insurance should be a priority if you are self-employed, because life is highly unpredictable at the best of times. We only have to look at the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and countless other political maelstroms to recognise that insurance matters big time.

 

Finance and Banking, Investment, Investment News, North of England

Rosebridge create UK business first, in collaboration with Vanguard and Redington

With the launch of their new DFM Proposition

One of the North’s leading chartered financial planning businesses, Rosebridge, today announced the launch of its DFM arm – Rosebridge Asset Management Limited (RAML) – providing the UK’s first offering of its kind within the industry.

By working in collaboration with two leading global asset managers in Vanguard and Redington, RAML will provide unparalleled asset allocation and fund selection analysis for its innovative range of risk rated active and passive investment solutions.

This is the first custom model portfolio solution global investment management firm, Vanguard, has entered into in the UK to date. They currently hold approximately $7Tn in assets under management, with a client base spanning 30 million worldwide,[1] and it is one of the first partnerships of its kind for Redington’s Global Assets team, which provides advice to institutional clients with an aggregate of +£500bn in assets.

 

Phil Rose, CEO of Rosebridge Asset Management Limited commented: “We are delighted to work alongside both Vanguard and Redington to launch our new proposition. We know that joining forces with two such renowned global asset managers and harnessing their collective expertise, research capabilities and bargaining powers will ultimately translate into better investor outcomes.

“The UK financial planning community is striving for this, and I believe we will see larger mid-market financial advice companies, not only build bespoke relationships with global investment firms, but also with platform providers to help increase efficiencies, reduce costs but most importantly enhance the service level agreements offered to consumers.

“We began the process of developing an innovative DFM proposition over two years ago. Thanks to the invaluable guidance of our Investment Committee, we took the decision to look for global active and passive investment specialists to work alongside in order to strengthen our consumer proposition.”

 

The strength of this expert duo is unrivalled and will provide investors with access to innovative active and passive investment solutions – the former being built on Redington’s market leading research and fund selection processes and the latter utilising Vanguard’s array of low-cost index tracking funds.

Additionally, the RAML Investment Committee bring a wealth of experience, retaining the independent expertise of Graham Harrison (Group Chairman of Asset Risk Consultants) to provide direction and unique industry insight, Peter Bickley (ex-Chief Strategist at Deutsche Bank UK) to monitor and review asset allocations and Mark Harris (award winning ex Henderson fund of funds manager) to provide quantitative and qualitative fund research analysis.

 

Phil added: “These bespoke relationships will ensure RAML’s investment solutions remain relevant and appropriate for the ever-changing investment landscape both now and in the future.”

 

Neil Cowell, Head of UK Distribution, Vanguard UK, commented: “We are delighted to work alongside Rosebridge Asset Management Limited for what is our first custom model portfolio solution with a financial advice firm in the UK. We’ve had a longstanding relationship, dating back many years with Rosebridge, and share many of the same principles; namely delivering value to investors, a relentless focus on low-cost solutions, and a shared alignment on investment philosophy. We will launch a range of index fund-based model portfolios later this year that we trust will continue to serve Rosebridge and their clients going forward.”

 

Determining the right investment specialists to work with posed a significant challenge to RAML given the high volume of active investment specialists. “Ultimately, it was Redington’s robust asset allocation, quantitative and qualitative research processes that truly set them apart.” said Phil.

 

Tara Gillespie, Head of Global Assets at Redington, commented: “We are delighted to be supporting Rosebridge Asset Management Limited in getting the best outcomes for their clients through outcome focused strategic asset allocation and manager selection advice. Supported by the deep expertise across our business, we will bring institutional strength solutions and access to innovative, best-in-class investment opportunities to RAML and their clients.”

 

RAML will be partnering with AJ Bell’s institutional platform to deliver their new investment solutions.

 

Phil added: “AJ Bell’s status as a FTSE 250 listed company greatly reduces the risk of a private equity take over. In our experience such events have caused significant upheaval, client uncertainty and poor service outcomes – this is something we wish to try and avoid.

“Whilst it has been a long and at times difficult process, we believe the bespoke relationships we have forged will place our innovative range of risk rated active and passive investment solutions ahead of those available within the wider financial planning community.”

 

Rosebridge Asset Management Limited is a UK based company – more details about the platform can be found here: https://rosebridgeassetmanagement.com/

 

References

[1] Source: Vanguard as at 31st March 2023

Image: Stock Photo

Marketing, PR and SEO

Agency vs In-house PPC: What Does My Business Need?

In today’s digitally connected world, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising has become a critical component of most businesses’ marketing strategies. However, managing a successful PPC campaign is not a simple task. It requires a certain level of expertise, time, and constant monitoring. Hence, the question arises – Should your business opt for an in-house PPC team or hire a specialised PPC agency?

This article will guide you through the pros and cons of both options to help you make an informed decision.

 

The Benefits of Hiring a PPC Agency

Expert Knowledge and Experience

A PPC agency comes with extensive experience and expertise. They are up to date with the latest trends, strategies, and industry changes. They bring an external perspective and provide innovative solutions that an in-house team might overlook.

Access to Advanced Tools

PPC agencies often have access to advanced PPC tools and software that may be too expensive for a business to invest in directly. These tools can provide superior analytics, better targeting, and overall improved campaign performance.

 

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The Drawbacks of Hiring a PPC Agency

Less Control

When outsourcing your PPC to an agency, you might lose some control over the campaigns. Also, the agency might not understand your business as deeply as an in-house team would.

Cost

While agencies provide expertise and advanced tools, they can be expensive. Businesses need to consider if the return on investment justifies the cost of hiring a PPC agency.

The Benefits of In-House PPC

Full Control

When your PPC efforts are managed in-house, your business has total control over every aspect of your campaign. The team can be closely integrated with your other departments, making the execution of cross-functional strategies a lot more seamless.

Deep Understanding of Business

An in-house team, working exclusively for your business, is more likely to have a deep understanding of your brand and products. This could result in a more personalised and brand-aligned approach to your PPC campaigns.

Cost Savings

While hiring and training an in-house PPC team might have higher initial costs, over time, it can be cost-effective. You avoid agency fees and get more value as the team can work on other marketing tasks as well.

The Drawbacks of In-House PPC

Limited Expertise

While an in-house team may have a deep understanding of your business, they may lack the wide-ranging expertise that a specialised PPC agency offers. Agencies typically work with a variety of clients and sectors, thus gaining a wide perspective and innovative approaches.

Resource Intensive

Hiring, training, and retaining an in-house PPC team requires considerable resources. Moreover, managing successful PPC campaigns is time-consuming and requires constant monitoring and updating.

Conclusion

Choosing between an in-house PPC team or a PPC agency depends largely on your business’s specific needs, budget, and long-term goals. For small businesses with limited resources, hiring an agency can bring in the required expertise without heavy investments. On the other hand, larger businesses might find value in building an in-house team that can fully integrate with the company’s vision and strategy. Ultimately, the decision should be based on what will provide the most value and drive the best results for your business.