We are extremely pleased to announce that Thomas and Thomas has made it into Citywire’s ‘Top 100’ UK IFA Firms – for the fourth consecutive year since the award was launched. This is an award that seeks to recognise the strongest contenders within the Independent Financial Adviser space across the whole of the UK.
It is based around the firms’ profitability, business model, recurring income, performance, qualifications, service and innovation. Citywire has informed us that they were inundated with entries this year and it has taken months for them to whittle it down to only 100 so we feel it is a great achievement to have made it into this small select group once again.
As one of the smaller niche practises in the entries, we are thrilled to be one of only 28 UK firms who have achieved the ‘Top 100’ title every year since it was launched in 2012. Thomas and Thomas were also the only firm in Wales to make it into ‘The 90% Club’ which recognized those who have recurring revenue of 90% and over. We have always believed that recurring income encourages the right behaviors within financial planning – focusing on keeping existing clients above chasing new ones. This may be the last year that we can boast this fact as many of our competitors have been chasing hard to achieve this status.
2015 has been a fantastic year for us. In a year of extremely volatile markets and a falling FTSE 100, all of our five model portfolios have remained firmly in profit at the date of this article. It has been a pleasure to report this to our clients, as part of their financial plan depends upon the robustness of their portfolio and our diligence in navigating these ‘interesting’ times for them.
As a firm of three, we have passed eight exams in total this year and Darren achieved ‘Fellow’ status of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) which is the highest standard achievable within the financial planning profession.
In the spring and summer we made two exciting ‘Buried Treasure’ videos which went on our website to help our clients understand recent Pension and ISA changes. With the use of sandcastles, buckets, horses and his daughter – Darren certainly made these subjects interesting!
This winter we announced the launch of our new ‘EKO’ portfolio. Although we already offer a bespoke ethical service, this new eco-friendly portfolio invests solely into funds that support renewable energy and action against climate change. Although the portfolio will not suit every investor, we are really proud to be able to offer an additional service to our clients.
In January we shall travel up to London to see if we have managed to win ‘New Model Adviser firm of the year’ for the second year running. This is an even more prestigious award that celebrates the best of the professional financial planning community and one that we were successful in winning in both 2013 and 2015. We will go up against other firms in the Wales region category and attend a two day conference and awards ceremony to find out the results.
This year the competition will be stronger than ever as we watch firms following where we have led in terms of their recurring service models. We will be delighted to be a part of it once again and to be recognised as leaders in our profession whatever the outcome.
We feel very proud to have received recognition as one of Citywire’s ‘Top 100’ firms and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful clients who have supported and encouraged us throughout the year. Without you we couldn’t call this ‘Our Best Year Ever’ for Team Thomas.
We wish you all a very merry and peaceful Christmas, and here’s to a prosperous and rewarding New Year.
Katy, Lisa and Darren
