Every month, we share some highlights of what’s been happening in and around KBA.
This month, we’ve been nominated for an award and need your help to win, Emma Bell celebrates her two-year work anniversary, and Mandy Mycock and her dog, Sunny, have taken on not one but two walking challenges.
KBA have been nominated for a Southport Stars Award
We are incredibly proud to announce that we have been nominated for the Expert Services Business of the Year award at the Southport Stars Awards 2023!
We took on our Southport Yorkshire Building Society agency and Financial Planning office in May 2022. Like any new venture, it hasn’t come without challenges; nonetheless, we have built fantastic relationships with our YBS customers and love being involved in such a great community, so being nominated for this award is a real honour.
Who wins? That’s down to YOU!
We would be incredibly grateful if you follow the link below and nominate KBA FS Ltd for the Expert Services Business of the Year Award:
www.southportbid.com/stars-vote
Thank you in advance from the KBA family ❤
Emma Bell celebrates her work anniversary
Emma is our Events & Marketing Executive and has been a fabulous member of the KBA team for two years. Doing a fantastic job of ensuring our events run smoothly, it’s also thanks to Emma that you receive our monthly newsletter and are reading this right now.
We grabbed Emma for a few moments to find out more and see if she’d be willing to give us a sneak peek into what she’s looking forward to in the coming year.
What were you doing before you joined the KBA team, and do you remember the interview?
Before working at KBA, I worked in hospitality and event planning for 10 years while putting myself through a Level 5 Diploma in Event Management and Marketing.
I remember my interview like it was yesterday (mostly because I did 10+ practice runs and recorded them all!). It was mid-Covid, so everything was done remotely on Zoom.
I was actually applying for two jobs at the time, one of which had already offered me the position before I had my first interview with KBA. The interview was fantastic and gave me a really good feel for the culture within KBA. Later that day, I declined the job offer with the other company.
My brother told me I was stupid to put all my eggs in one basket, but I had a gut feeling I was making the right choice – turns out I was right!
What do you remember about your first day at KBA The Financial Planning Company?
I was extremely nervous! I like to think I’m quite a confident person but when I meet loads of new people at once I can get rather overwhelmed, so I was very worried that my nerves would get the best of me. Thankfully, this was not the case at all!
I was greeted by our Nantwich Team Leader, Cheryl Clarke, and shown around the building and introduced to the team. They all made me feel so welcome and part of the team that the nerves disappeared almost instantly.
What do you love most about your job?
The people and the progression opportunities. I have met people in this job that I know will be friends for life. The culture, values, and levels of appreciation that I have experienced are something I have never found with any other company.
Is there anything you still find challenging?
I learn at least one new thing every day, it’s a lot to take in, but I honestly would not have it any other way.
Favourite memorable moment so far?
I would have to narrow it down to three…
- Our October team getaway – we’ve grown so much over the last 18 months, so it was very special to have the team together for a whole weekend.
- The National Sleep Out – in September 2022, we slept rough to raise money and awareness for local and national homeless charities. While the circumstances were not ideal, it was fantastic to get together and have some team bonding time and raise funds for a great cause at the same time.
- Every time we mark a national celebration such as afternoon tea for the Jubilee, wearing green for World Mental Health Day, or red noses for Comic Relief. With the KBA team spread across four offices it can get difficult to organise these types of occasions so when people come together, and everyone really makes the effort it gives me a huge sense of pride. Plus, the costumes that our Trainee Paraplanner, Rachel Hatton, comes up with are memorable enough on their own.
What are you looking forward to in the coming year?
Expanding my knowledge in my current role and all the fabulous client and team events I get to plan – watch this space!
Mandy Mycock and Sunny have taken on two charity walking challenges
Our Nantwich Customer Consultant, Mandy Mycock has been very busy this past month. She and her beautiful dog, Sunny walked 100km in March raise money for Dementia UK and increase awareness of the issues people face.
Mandy and Sunny managed to finish their impressive personal challenge with time to spare. So, in April, they’re raising money for Stand Up to Cancer by walking another 60 miles.
So far, Mandy and Sunny have raised a fantastic £130 that will be going to two great causes. If you’d like to help the fantastic duo reach their goal, please donate. Whether you give £1 or £100 – every little bit helps, and your contribution will make a massive impact.
