The afternoon sees me visiting a new client on the south bank of the Humber, which involves a trip across the majestic Humber Bridge, a superb view of which we enjoy from our riverside offices. The client is a referral from a firm of very successful clinical negligence lawyers and he has a long list of questions and concerns that I am able to deal with. Clients like this really do need lots of reassurance and it is a reminder of how important we can be to people.
Tuesday
The morning sees a couple of review meetings in the office. They are a real pleasure these days with lots of green ink on the reports. Our structured review service has been one of the real successes within the business in recent years. Our annual client survey tells us that clients value this above most things.
The afternoon sees another review meeting but this time for one of our biggest clients and involves a drive to Penistone to meet with a mum, dad and son. It is sad to hear that dad is not well and the family are talking about registering the enduring power of attorney we recommended they prepare some years ago.
Wednesday
Today is a mixed bag. I have a meeting with one of our former introducers who is now retired but still a client. He has had health problems but I am pleased to see he is much better now. I also learn that he continues to be an ambassador for the Institute of Financial Planning and has introduced one of his walking friends who is in need of advice following the recent death of his wife.
This is followed by my annual knowledge test (yes, I passed) and my quarterly one-to-one. Being the managing director affords me no privileges in this department. The one-to-one is a good opportunity to review the successes and challenges of the last three months and plan the next three months’ business development activity.
Our practice management consultant, Steve Billingham, arrives in readiness for our quarterly strategy meeting tomorrow. The evening sees us having a relaxing chat about the business over a meal at one of our favourite restaurants on the Hull Marina.
Thursday
Most of the day is spent with Steve and my co-director, Becky, reviewing the performance of the business and planning for the next year as well as updating our five-year strategic plan. It is pleasing to report that everything is going to plan and we can look to the future with real confidence. Before taking Steve to the train station, we meet with a potential recruit who I think would be a real asset to the business. Instead of going back to the office I head to the Hull Streetlife Museum where the local Chartered Insurance Institute branch is celebrating its centenary.
Friday: The day starts with breakfast at a café near the office at 8am where I meet my support team, Joe and Jess.
We work through what we achieved during the week and what we need to do over the next week or two. It certainly beats the gym.
I fit in a short meeting with some clients who urgently need to talk about investing a substantial sum of money that has just come their way. This is shaping up to be a great day.
Following this I am on my travels again, this time to the lovely city of York to see one of our oldest clients who is always pleased to see me and very grateful for what we have done for her. I know we get paid well for what we do but it is nice to be appreciated. Half the meeting is spent discussing which of Betty’s Tea Rooms cookery courses would be the best to go on.
We are keen to expand the business and the afternoon is spent with an adviser who is looking to retire over the next few years and sell his business. The meeting goes well and I think that the adviser and his business would be a good fit for us. I am hopeful that we will be able to agree a deal as I look forward to a packed weekend of gigs and rugby – come on England.
Kevin Ferriby is managing director of Hull-based Informed Financial Planning
