A note from Lucy – March 2022
Lucy Byrom – Operations Manager
It’s certainly been a busy 3 months since my December 2021 communication to you all.
From overseeing and ensuring our MyLonghurst App updates were successfully received, to signing off our new Annual Review process, to submitting financial planning award applications, and much more.
My objective for today’s quarterly communication is to provide you a broad overview of what we have in store for both clients and professional partners over the coming months.
BS 8577 Assessment
Over the coming months Longhurst, as a business, will be assessed for the BS 8577 Certification.
BS 8577 (the provision of financial advice and planning services) is the only British Standard for financial planning and advice businesses.
It specifies best practice for embedding an effective operational management system, which will also support adherence to ISO 22222 Personal financial planning – requirements for personal financial planners (something our Chris Broome achieved last year).
BS 8577 provides a set of agreed measures that will verify that a framework of excellence sits at the heart of our business.
We expect this additional certification to provide further reassurance to our clients that everybody who works within Longhurst meets and operates within the regulatory and professional standards framework we set – no matter the individual, their qualifications, or their seniority.
PFS Associate Firm
Longhurst has already begun the application process to obtain the ‘PFS Associate Firm’ accreditation via The Personal Finance Society.
Associate Firms voluntarily demonstrate the adoption of the professional standards set by the Personal Finance Society enabling them to stand tall behind a culture that places clients and staff at its heart.
Firms will enjoy a closer association with us as we strive to build public trust in financial services and elevate the importance and value of financial wellbeing through regulated personal finance and Investment advice.
On successful application firms are able to evidence their commitment to clients and broader stakeholders through the use of an Associate Firm mark.
Cyber Security Service Launching
Ensuring our clients’ personal and corporate data is kept secure is essential for all parties.
As such, in late spring 2022, Longhurst will be launching a new ‘Over and Above’ service for clients, in partnership with our cyber and IT partner, YourCloudWorks.
This service will consist of a complementary annual audit of your IT systems and cyber security, with YCW on hand to support you with any remedial work that may be required.
Book Promotion – ‘How to raise Entrepreneurial kids’ and ‘Clever Tykes series’
Supporting the next generation with their educational and career development is important for us here at Longhurst.
We also want to support the parents and other adults in that child’s life.
So, in line with our overall approach of gifting books to our clients, we’re doing it again, but this time in mass!
In April, all clients and professional partners of Longhurst will receive a complementary book pack, consisting of:
- ‘How to raise entrepreneurial kids’ – Jodie Cook & Daniel Priestley
- ‘Clever Tykes series’ – Jodie Cook
We’ve even recorded a fantastic promotional video with Jodie to help introduce you to the books – look out for this next month.
Seminar Series – Business Owner Focus
We are planning a series of business owner focused seminars, alongside some of our professional business, tax, and legal partners.
Held at the Porsche Experience Centre, located in the heart of the Silverstone Circuit, we expect the location and seminar content to be impressive.
Attendee numbers will be limited, with a qualifying criteria also set.
More to follow on this as the events start to take shape.
Springtime Flowers!
As is now customary here at Longhurst, to celebrate the new spring season, in early April clients will receive a bunch of springtime flowers.
This is one of our favourite events of the year – so simple – with smiles all around.
I’m here to help
As I sign off my second article for Longhurst I just want to say that if you have any questions in relation to any of the above, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me or one of the team.
