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Tales From The Frontline – Golf!

In this week’s Tales From The Frontline, Advising Partner Jan Axten-Rice tells us about her positives and negatives of lockdown and hails the return of golf! 

Yet another sunny day in North Gloucestershire!!!  We’ve been so lucky with the weather and I feel blessed that I live in the country with great dog walks and a garden to enjoy.  Time and time again my thoughts have turned to those less fortunate, who have no outside space of their own and young children to keep occupied.  They must be so grateful that they are now able to spend more time in the fresh air with space for the children to run.

Nick (husband and Administrator) and I have continued to keep the business ticking over.  It has been so important to keep in contact with my clients; regularly by email and then telephoning from time to time just to see they are OK.  I don’t have a huge number of clients and have worked with them all for many years so any conversations at present have around their well-being, with only a general chat about their investments/pensions.  Their comments with regard to this have ranged from ‘There’s nothing we can do about it, we just need to sit tight’ to ‘You have always said my money can go down as well as up, so I understand’.  Everyone seems to appreciate the fact that I am checking up that they are OK.

One bonus of the current situation is that it has given me an ideal opportunity to encourage my clients to log onto the Wealth Platform.  I am continuing with my annual reviews, asking clients to update their Risk Questionnaires through the Wealth Platform, then reviewing the Precision Review Pack and speaking to them on Skype.  I have an elderly client base and have managed to do this with most of them although there are a few who needed someone in the house to show them what to do.  From my clients’ comments, I know they have welcomed the regular up-dates from Sandringham.

A lovely new car arrived for me on 14 March, since when I have only driven 60 miles. Saving fuel I suppose, but it’s disappointing to have a new vehicle sitting on the drive doing nothing.  At least I won’t need to worry about the mileage limit on my lease this year!

Our biggest loss has been the lack of golf, but I am out for my first game this week.  Having been elected as Lady Captain of a Gloucestershire Golf Society for 2020, I’m having a bit of a sad year with major events and matches being cancelled.  I am hopeful that we will be able to hold some of the events planned for later in the year.

As for the holidays we had booked – currently trying to get our money back!!!

It’s going to be a while before I can visit my clients again, but when I do, I am hoping all my efforts keeping in touch and trying to carry on as normal will have maintained our good relationships.  It is important they know I really care about them – not just their investments/pensions, but them and their families.

Jan

Jan Axten-Rice, Advising Partner

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