Welcome to the autumn edition of the Bluesky Bulletin.
In this edition, we recap the markets in 2025 so far, welcome the newest members of the team, and reflect on what the team has been up to this quarter.
2025 so far: A turbulent time for markets, followed by a period of strong recovery
The start of 2025 saw a turbulent time for markets, with the “Trump Tariffs” causing a loss of confidence and sharp declines in global equity markets.
Since then, markets have recovered strongly and, for the time being at least, markets now seem to be less concerned with the ramblings from across the ocean.
Investors who understand and accept the fact that markets go up and down – but over a long period, the trend is always up – saw their investments drop in value in early 2025, but have seen a subsequent recovery in recent months.
Moving into autumn
We’re now moving into this editor’s favourite time of year, autumn, a time for reflection and the celebration of the last warmth of the summer as we move towards winter.
This editor is reminded of the quote by Samuel Barber, “Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits”.
As investors, to give ourselves the best possible chance of beating inflation, we must accept that markets will periodically decrease in value but then typically rebound within two years. No doubt we will see markets fluctuate again, but the savvy investor holds firm when “we lose in flowers” but later enjoys “the gain in fruits”.
It’s never easy to keep your nerve, but this is where Bluesky’s knowledge and expertise can help. For most of you, our cashflow modelling helps provide reassurance at times of market stress.
Bluesky company days
As previous staff bulletins have mentioned, each quarter, we hold an offsite day where our staff get together for a day of company updates and training.
We believe these days are invaluable to ensure we take time to reflect on what went well over the previous quarter and consider areas where we can improve.
The day is not all work, and this time Neil organised a walk with the excellent “Terry’s Reading Walkabouts”. The ever-engaging Terry took us all on a Thames- and Kennet-side walk around the six bridges of Reading.
The tour was fantastic, with lots of information and history about Reading, encompassing architecture, history, and biscuits!
Below are some team shots from the day.
Back by popular demand, Mike organised another game of Kubb, an old Swedish game played with wooden skittles. Not to say I’m competitive, but the editor’s team won 3 – 1…
A warm welcome to “Young Jack” and Isaac
We’d all like to offer a hearty welcome to “Young Jack” and Isaac, who joined Bluesky at the end of July.
“Young Jack” is our first ever graduate recruit, and we call him “Young Jack” as opposed to our existing colleague “Old Jack” (who’s not really that old!).
Jack graduated from Cardiff University in 2024 and brings valuable experience from internships in the financial services sector, including roles in wealth management and investment banking in London and Dublin.
More recently, Jack spent a season in the French Alps, combining his love of adventure with skiing, before stepping into the next chapter of his professional journey.
Outside of work, Jack enjoys playing golf and tennis, is a passionate Manchester United supporter, and loves to travel and explore new cultures.
Here’s a photo of Jack exploring the lovely city of Budapest.
Isaac is our first-ever university placement student, and he’ll be with us until summer 2026. Currently undertaking a degree in Mathematics and Economics at the University of Exeter, Isaac has joined Bluesky to gain an insight into the world of financial planning.
He’s passionate about building a career in financial services and is eager to gain some real-world experience and valuable insights in the industry. Outside of work, Isaac is a keen golfer, a huge movie and TV fan and enjoys reading books on behavioural economics and finance.
Here he is in Bulgaria (note from editor, I went skiing there while at school, and it was still a Communist country, firmly behind the Iron Curtain).
Both Jack and Isaac have already made great first impressions at Bluesky, and we look forward to finding out what the next few months bring for them.
A sad farewell to Natasha
After three years, we are very sad to say goodbye (or more hopefully, “au revoir”) to our paraplanning colleague, Natasha.
Natasha got married last year and, with her husband Brad, has decided that now is the right time to go travelling. Her first stop is Sri Lanka, followed by a tour through Asia and finishing in New Zealand and Australia.
Natasha has been a fantastic colleague, ever professional and always smiling. We wish her and her husband “bon voyage” as they embark on this exciting new leg of their lives together.
… and a sad farewell to Chalfont Court
27 years ago, Mark and Liz started Bluesky on a floor of Chalfont Court in Lower Earley, and some of you will remember those early days.
Over the years, we grew into both the bottom and top floors of the offices, and in 2023, Rob and Jeremy decided we needed more space for our team and clients. We moved to our new home in Sindlesham in July 2024, where we continue to enjoy life at The Barn.
As part of our lease obligations, we had to freshen up Chalfont Court for the next tenants. Our contractors have done a wonderful job, and the old office looks unrecognisable (as shown below). And yes, that really is the old meeting room at the end (minus the glass partition).
Summer photos
Like many of you, our staff members have been on their travels over recent months and here are a few photos of the team enjoying their summer holidays.
This is Nick at the breathtaking La Sagrada Família in Barcelona.
Here’s Vicky relaxing with her family in Turkey, where it was a ‘chilly’ 41°C.
Jeremy with his son Laurence and whippet Stanley in sunny Devon.
Here’s Neil working hard on a cruise to Guernsey.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this quarter’s Bluesky Bulletin, and look out for our next update in December 2025.