Every month, we share some highlights of what’s been happening in and around KBA.
This month, three amazing KBA women made the finals for the Women in Financial Advice Awards 2023 and Garry Lomon celebrates his work anniversary after being on the team for an incredible 15 years. Plus, read about Manchester-based charity Back on Track and find out why they are one of our favourite causes to support.
All eyes are on Sarah Hogan, Joanne Hobson, and Emma Bell – finalists for the prestigious Women in Financial Advice Awards 2023
First up, Sarah Hogan, our Company Director & Chartered Financial Planner, has been announced as a finalist for not just one but two categories in the ProfessionalAdviser Women in Financial Advice Awards.
Sarah is up for:
⭐ Woman of the Year – Financial Coaching
⭐ Financial Adviser of the Year – North West
For the Financial Adviser of the Year – North West award, Sarah is up against KBA Financial Planner Joanne Hobson, who has also been listed as a finalist in the same awards.
As we all know, competition is healthy and having two contestants from the same company is incredibly rare – may the best woman win!
Last but by no means least, Events & Marketing Executive Emma Bell has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Marketing Influencer of the Year category.
Winners will be announced at the lavish gala awards dinner, held in Mayfair, London on Wednesday 1 November – watch this space to find out if we return home with trophies 🏆🏆🏆
Well done, ladies – whatever the outcome may be, you are all winners in our eyes.
Garry Lomon celebrates a fantastic 15 years with KBA
This month we wished Garry, our wonderful Financial Planner, a very happy work anniversary as July marked 15 years on the KBA team.
Garry joined us in 2008, bringing more than 25 years of experience in financial services to KBA The Financial Planning Company. His knowledge, professionalism, and fantastic culture have assisted in the moulding of the great team that we have today.
We are very grateful to all that he’s done and continues to do – for the company, the team, and his clients. So, we made a brew and sat down to ask about his time with us…
What were you doing before you joined the KBA team?
I’d been at Prudential for more than 20 years and at BUPA Health Assurance for seven years before joining KBA.
What do you remember about your first day at KBA Financial?
I can’t remember the first day specifically, but I do recall that it took some time and some intensive training to get my head around the IT!
Best part of a regular day at the office?
It sounds like a cliché but helping people to plan for the future and feel more secure.
What do you love most about your job?
Again, a bit predictable, but as my hero from the 1970’s Zig Zigglar used to say, “I can get everything I want in life if I help enough other people to get what they want”.
Favourite memorable moment?
The first time I used SatNav to drive to a client appointment at their home address. GPS…what a great invention!
What do you hope the next 15 years might hold?
I’d like to remain in the game!
I’m delighted that the KBA proposition has blossomed under Sarah Hogan’s guidance, and I know that our Founding Father, Ken Bates, is very proud of his daughter’s achievements in financial services.
We had a fantastic visit to a local charity following one of our lovely client’s local charity recommendations
Back on Track are a Manchester-based charity who provide community learning and holistic support to adults experiencing multiple disadvantages.
Set up in 1977, the charity has been working with people who have been through major problems like homelessness and drug and alcohol problems for 45 years.
Of their members:
- 91% have mental health problems
- 49% have a conviction
- 55% have problematic drug/alcohol use
- 50% are homeless or vulnerably housed.
Helping around 600 people every year, the charity does amazing things to help vulnerable people get their lives back on track. Through a range of training, work experience, and one-to-one guidance, they provide brilliant support to help people:
- Manage problematic drug/alcohol use
- Live a crime-free life
- Improve mental health and well-being
- Find a stable home.
Since the beginning of the cost of living crisis, the charity have been finding that their work is in greater demand than ever, with problems like homelessness becoming far worse. The pandemic and the ensuing rising costs of living have also meant they are seeing more people with mental health problems.
With this in mind, if you’re interested offering your support by volunteering your time or making a donation, see the Back on Track website to read more about the fantastic service they offer and how you could get involved.
