We often cover topics relevant to financial planning, but we think it’s also nice to give you an update on what we’ve been up to.
There’s been plenty to celebrate recently, from an engagement to exam passes and an industry win. We’ve also been thinking about what these milestones mean for Newark’s future. Supporting the next generation of our team is an important part of that: giving them the time, encouragement and experience to develop, so we can continue looking after you and your family for years to come.
For those of you who’ve been with us for a long time, we hope you enjoy seeing some familiar faces taking their next steps.
Congratulations, Manos and Ellis!
We’re so pleased to share that Manos and Ellis are engaged!
If you know Manos as our Mortgage Adviser and Ellis as our Administrator, you might not have realised they’re also partners outside work. Ellis has felt like part of our family for a long time, so we’re absolutely delighted for them both.
As a family firm, our working lives and family lives often overlap, and we get to share in occasions like this together. Ellis studied fine arts and painting at university, so we’re looking forward to seeing her creative side come through in their wedding plans - and wondering whether their dog, Hank, might get a role as ring bearer!
Aaron’s next step
There’s good news for Aaron too, who’s passed his Pensions and Retirement Planning exam, known as R04. This follows three earlier exam successes covering financial services and regulation, investments and personal taxation. Together, these subjects build the knowledge needed to understand someone’s finances as a whole and support the planning work we do for our clients.
His latest pass takes him another step along his qualification journey, with a deeper understanding of pensions and the decisions people face when preparing for retirement.
Studying alongside a day job takes commitment. There’s a lot to learn, and getting through one exam means picking up the books again for the next. Aaron’s kept going, and it’s been rewarding to see his knowledge and confidence grow along the way.
Well done, Aaron - we’re proud of you!
A double celebration for Manos
Alongside his engagement, Manos has passed his Personal Taxation exam, known as R03, as he continues working towards his financial planning Diploma.
His studies are broadening his knowledge across areas such as tax, investments, pensions and protection. Mortgages remain his day-to-day focus, but understanding how these areas fit together helps him see the wider picture when someone comes to him for advice.
Buying a home, for example, often happens alongside other plans and commitments. Building that broader knowledge helps Manos understand the questions that may need a conversation with the wider Newark team.
We know how much effort goes into these qualifications, and we’re proud to support him as he takes this next step.
And the final congratulations go to…
Manos again! He was part of the winning team in the MS NextGen Future of the Mortgage Industry Challenge, through the programme’s 30 Under 30 initiative. Working with fellow participants in a team called Mortgage Up, he helped tackle the question of how the mortgage industry can attract, develop and retain the next generation of talent. Their ideas earned them the overall win.
It’s a brilliant achievement and an opportunity for Manos to contribute to the future of the profession he’s building his career in. It also meant working with people from across the industry and presenting their ideas in front of a live audience - his first time doing so. He admitted he was nervous beforehand, but once he got up there, he absolutely loved it.
Congratulations to Manos and his teammates on the win. That’s three congratulations in one blog, Manos!
And if you or someone in your family needs mortgage advice, Manos is always happy to chat. Whether you’re buying your first home, moving or approaching the end of your current mortgage deal, you’re welcome to get in touch.
And now, a little Budget talk
We’ll be following the Autumn Budget and sending clients a separate update after the announcement, covering any changes that could affect their financial plans.
In the meantime, if something’s on your mind, you don’t need to wait for our next update. Whether you have a question about your plans, need mortgage advice or would simply like to catch up, we’d be happy to hear from you.
Call our Kilmarnock office on 01563 551166 or our Glasgow office on 0141 487 8783, or book a call through our website.
For now, congratulations again to Aaron, Manos and Ellis. We’ve enjoyed sharing their good news, and we hope things have been going well for you too.