Achieving Corporate Chartered status is a very big deal for a financial planning firm, as few firms qualify to use this title. 

As a Chartered firm, we must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to our team and our clients, and we must adhere to high ethical values and standards at all times. And, once achieved, we have to reapply for Chartered status every year.

In November, BlueSKY celebrated 10 years of becoming Chartered. So, to celebrate this achievement, we asked Jeremy to share a look back over that time.

Aiming to make BlueSKY the most trusted and professional financial planners in Berkshire

10 years ago, BlueSKY was a business in transition with Mark and Rob at the helm. I joined in 2014.

Our bold plan was to make BlueSKY the most trusted and professional financial planning firm in Berkshire. An obvious way to demonstrate our commitment was to achieve Corporate Chartered status.

We also started working with a business coach who helped us understand what sort of firm we wanted to be and how to achieve this. He referred us to the book Traction by Gino Wickman, which remains the template for how we run BlueSKY.

Back in 2013, we were still a “traditional” IFA, taking on too much work, some of which we didn’t enjoy (for example, mortgages). 

Our coach helped us to focus our activities on high-quality lifestyle financial planning with a focus on cashflow modelling. This approach puts clients – not products or investments – at the heart of our business. 

In 2014 we established an Investment Committee and implemented a consistent and proven investment approach. While the foundations remain, we have been able to refine and improve this approach over time as more cost-effective options have become available. 

And, while we’re extremely proud of what we have created, investment management is not the focus of our client relationships.

Recognised experts in our field

During the last 10 years, we have upgraded the business in other ways too.

For example, we have a great website full of interesting and informative blog posts and guides. We also send out monthly newsletters to educate and inform readers. 

Internally, we have one-to-one meetings with our staff on a weekly basis, and quarterly “off-site” days for the whole team where we can refine our procedures to make our service even better.

In addition, we work with solicitors, both locally and nationally, and have become acknowledged experts in our field. We write regular blogs for solicitors and run webinar programmes – often attracting hundreds of attendees.

Resting on our laurels is not an option

The last year has seen some big changes that will serve BlueSKY for many years to come. Our founder, Mark, retired from the business in 2022 and Rob (already a co-owner) and I formally took over the reins. 

During 2023 we also adopted a new client relationship management system, moved our IT to the “cloud”, and recruited new members of staff.

While we are very proud of these achievements, resting on our laurels is not an option. We’re looking forward to what the next 10 years will bring.

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out how a Corporate Chartered business can help you to achieve your financial goals, please get in touch.

Email info@BlueSKYifas.co.uk or call us on 01189 876655.

Please note

This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.