Three new financial advisers have joined national financial planning business Continuum as assets under influence grew to £1.45bn and quarterly income rose 37% year on year to over £2.76m in a sixth consecutive period of quarterly growth.
The increase in assets under influence represented a growth of 40% year on year.
Continuum capitalised on growth opportunities with three new advisers joining the business from Quilter Financial Planning, Spence & Spence and Tilney in the third quarter of the year.
The national financial planning business now has 57 advisers based across the country, a 14% increase from the start of the year.
Lisa Anderson CFP™ Chartered FCSI FPFS joined the firm from Tilney to strengthen Continuum’s presence in Somerset. She has 17 years of experience in financial services, predominantly in her native Somerset.
Holding both Chartered and Certified Financial Planning status, she is passionate about her role as a financial adviser and works closely with farmers, and small businesses, as well as individuals.
Chartered Financial Planner Steven Chisholm joined Continuum in Northamptonshire from Quilter Financial Planning to expand the firm’s already strong presence in the East Midlands. Mr Chisholm has been an IFA since 1991 including 12 years with Towry Law. He joined Positive Solutions (which was taken over by Quilter) in January 2009. He predominantly works with clients with significant assets and specialises in wealth management.
Ryan Bunyan joined the firm from Edinburgh-based Spence & Spence and expands Continuum’s footprint in Scotland. Ryan has spent that last 6 years developing his IFA offering to personal and corporate clients following and successful career in banking. He is currently working towards his Chartered Financial Planning status.
Martin Brown, managing partner at Continuum, said the addition of the three new advisers allows the firm to strengthen its position in South West and the East Midlands whilst also further expanding the financial planning firm’s footprint in Scotland.
He said: “As an Independent National Advice firm we are always keen to further develop our coverage across the country with high quality individuals. The post-Covid environment continues to drive an increased demand for advice which we witnessed throughout the pandemic. Our bespoke client offering ensures we are able to deliver an exceptional client experience at all times – an approach which I know all three of our new advisers are passionate about.”
Ms Anderson said that she believes her move to Continuum will help make the financial advice she provides even better for her clients.
She said: “I am joining Continuum at a time when we have all been pushed to the limits, with the adjustments we have all had to make to get through the Covid-19 pandemic. The need for financial planning and the way we interact with each other and the need to support our clients has never been more important. With Continuum’s professional, award-winning approach, their fantastic support and their highly experienced back office team, I believe I am now in a position to be able to provide clients with exceptional service.
“It is very clear that Continuum is based on professionalism, quality and forward thinking. I believe those are vital for the changing times in which we find ourselves. The strong brand philosophy, with the three-way partnership, with client, financial planner and the company working together to build successful relationships based on trust means the best possible outcomes for the client. This is an approach I have been searching for – and I am proud as well as excited to be joining the Continuum team.”
Mr Chisholm is excited about the continuing growth opportunities that joining Continuum provides. He said he is “extremely pleased to join a progressive, grown-up organisation that is going in the right direction.”
Mr Bunyan said the independent nature of Continuum was the main attracting factor for him to join the business, as it ensures that advisers have complete freedom to select the best outcomes for clients whilst still receiving top-notch support from the business.
He said: “Put simply, I want to ensure that every client I work with can have the best financial journey to happiness.”
The three new adviser hires came as Continuum posted another quarter of strong financial results.
Turnover for the full year is now expected to grow to £10.3m by the end of 2021, an increase from the £10.2m forecast at the end of the first half of the year (2020: £7.51m).
New business written grew 54% for the year to date, with a 64% increase in new business received via professional partnerships.
Continuum’s current average rolling adviser productivity is considerably above average at £186,641 for the third quarter of the year.
The firm has also seen a considerable increase in lead enquiries received via digital marketing. Direct lead enquiries have risen 69% year on year with Google enquiries rising 22% year on year, illustrating the growing need for financial planning firms to have a strong digital presence.
Editors Notes – About Continuum
Continuum is a modern brand of financial advice. It is a partnership of like-minded Independent Financial Advisers sharing a common passion, approach and commitment to practicing true financial planning.
Assets under influence have increased to over £1.45bn
Continuum is a trading name of Continuum (Financial Services) LLP which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Continuum (Financial Services) LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership
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