Every month, we share some highlights of what’s been happening in and around KBA. This month, we expanded again with a new Yorkshire Building Society agency in Southport, welcoming six new people to the KBA team.
One of our amazing clients, Chris Hopkirk has launched a brand-new business venture to support mindfulness and meditation in the workplace. Read on to find out more.
Finally, we’ve also welcomed two friendly new faces to our head office in Leigh: Wumni David as our new Admin Support and Mollie Scotson, who has joined the team as an Apprentice in our admin support team.
In other news, and in keeping with Chris’s business venture, we acknowledged Mental Health Awareness week by wearing green with pride to highlight awareness of this important issue.
We have opened a brand-new office in Southport, Lancashire
We are extremely excited to announce that we have taken on another Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) Agency in Southport, Lancashire, making this our third YBS agency to date as well as six lovely new members of staff; Savannah, Sue, Julie, Ria, Lisa, and JP.
Here’s the back story from our very own Sarah Hogan on why we decided to form a relationship with the YBS and how it will benefit you.
“When the opportunity was presented to first partner with the Yorkshire Building Society, I thought I would be insane not to have a discussion with such a reputable brand and great company. The initial few months were scary as I debated whether to take on their Nantwich Agency. I also had no experience of running a building society and all the additional things to consider – costs, team members, and things to learn.
However, with such a great location and a great team at Nantwich and YBS, I decided to take the plunge. Since then, we have opened the Bury Agency and most recently, our brand-new Southport Agency.
For KBA, having this relationship with the YBS means having a cash and savings offering for our clients, offices in different locations and being able to bring financial planning to the customers of Yorkshire Building Society as well.
This is especially important as the UK population needs advice but, with limited numbers of financial planners in the UK’s banks and building societies due to them closing their doors in smaller locations, they often have to depend on online facilities instead.
Yorkshire Building Society have been innovative in their approach to partner with business like ourselves in order to keep branches open to serve the public. It’s a great company to have a relationship with.”
One of our very talented clients, Chris Hopkirk, has launched a brand-new business venture of mindfulness and meditation in the workplace
Hi, my name is Chris. I live in Worcester with my lovely wife, Claudia. I have two sons, Alex and Charlie and the most beautiful granddaughter, Elodie.
Born in Switzerland but originating from New Zealand, I am a big foodie, rugby advocate, socialite, and theatre nut.
I’ve been in the sales industry since my 20s and worked my way up. I am currently the sales director for Westbrook Industrial Ltd. We have just launched a new company, which provides sustainability and energy solutions, such as solar panels, to the warehouse and logistics industry.
I was introduced to mindfulness by two employees. They suggested using an app called “Headspace” and from there I learnt about mindfulness. I gradually started to understand more and more before I joined an organisation called Breathworks who trained me to become an accredited teacher.
From my own knowledge and experience, I know what a stressful job sales can be and when you combine it with recessions, Brexit, pandemics and so on, it can really trigger your emotions.
By using mindfulness techniques to help me to be aware of my own behaviour and reactions during these trying times, I realised other people and companies could really benefit from learning these techniques.
Soon after this lightbulb moment, The Business of Mindfulness was born.
I truly want to help people in business – owners, managers, and employees – to be able to deal with stress at work and at home. In doing so, the employer gets a happy person able to function well and contribute positively and the individual gets the best of both worlds.
I feel very lucky to be able to say that my business partners are extremely understanding and the culture in our company at Westbrook allows everyone to develop in their personal life as well as their work life.
I’m so excited to see how the new business is going to grow and for others to be able to reap the benefits that I have.
It would be absolutely fantastic to be able to look back and see how my thoughts and training have helped someone. Being able to help one person’s wellness would be a real-life achievement.
Connect with Chris and learn more about The Business of Mindfulness through the website, and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to stay up-to-date with Chris’s progress and get useful and simple mindful reminders to refresh your day.
Meet Wumni David, Admin Support based in our head office
What is your job title and who do you work alongside?
My current job title is Admin Support and I hope to be able to progress into a paraplanner role in the future once I have gained a greater knowledge of the company.
I work alongside the admin support team, paraplanners, and when required, the financial advisers.
What were you doing before you joined KBA The Financial Planning Company?
I was in university doing my master’s degree and working for NHS 119 as a knowledge expert supervisor during the pandemic.
Tell us a bit about your new role.
My new role is vast, and I have a lot of different tasks. These include providing administrative support to the team and helping to process front-end pension and investment processes.
I also produce any relevant paperwork and general admin support as required. I produce checklists, crib sheets, reports, and illustrations – my role has many different avenues.
How was your first day at KBA?
Fantastic, everyone I met was pleasant and welcoming. I managed to get a feel for what working at KBA would be like from my very first day in terms of a friendly work environment and the lovely team I would be a part of.
So far, what do you enjoy most about your new role?
I love my new role, not just the people I work with but how it has many different aspects and tasks. Overall, my new role is perfect as every single day is never fully the same. I enjoy coming into work because I learn something new each time.
What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I look forward to becoming fully secure in my role and responsibilities. I am also looking forward to the prospect of development and growing within the company wherever I can.
Meet our newest apprentice, Mollie Scotson who is our Admin Support Apprentice in our head office
What were you doing before you joined KBA The Financial Planning Company?
Before joining KBA, I was in college studying criminology, business, and psychology.
Tell us a bit about your new role.
My role is to review paperwork, chase providers for information and general day-to-day administrative duties.
How was your first day at KBA Financial?
My first day was nerve-racking! However, once I got going it was fine, everyone was so lovely and helpful, I really felt like one of the team.
So far, what do you enjoy most about your new role?
I enjoy being busy and the office environment is good. It’s an excellent culture to be part of.
What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Expanding my knowledge on all of the platforms and gaining more confidence.
We showed our support for Mental Health Awareness Week by wearing green across the offices
Green is the symbol for mental illnesses, bipolar disorder, and depression.
The Mental Health Foundation started Mental Health Awareness Week back in 2001, and since then it has become one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally.
Mental health is more important now than ever, it affects every part of our lives without us even knowing. Maintaining a positive mental health and treating any mental health conditions is crucial to stabilising constructive behaviours, emotions, and thoughts.
This cause is something we all hold very near to our hearts and are extremely proud to be supporting.
A special shout out goes to Rachel Hatton (or should we say Peter Pan?) for going the extra mile with the assignment and giving us all something to smile about.
Please note: The products and services promoted here are not part of the Openwork offering and are offered in our own right. Openwork Limited accept no responsibility for this aspect of our business. These products are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Yorkshire Building Society is a member of the Building Societies Association and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Yorkshire Building Society is entered in the Financial Services Register and its registration number is 106085. Head Office: Yorkshire House, Yorkshire Drive, Bradford BD5 8LJ. ybs.co.uk
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