Ross Ibbotson
CEO
As the summer comes to close and the leaves start to brown it is clear that change has been a key theme of this year. 2024 has seen tumult in the middle east, Biden step down from the US presidency race, Labour winning the general election after 14 years of Conservative government and huge changes in the use of AI.
Change can feel somewhat inevitable but also necessary. As you might have noticed this introduction has a different author and face next to it than in previous editions. At HFMC Wealth we have had a few changes ourselves.
After 38 years since cofounding what was then called Hoyland Financial Management, Jeremy Hoyland has transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman of the Board, with me taking on the role of CEO. This transition has been in the planning for several years and many of you will know that I have been an Executive Director for the past 10 years. Jeremy and I maintain the same vision for the company and our clients. I am delighted to pick up the mantle and to continue to develop the company with the full and ongoing support of Jeremy and all my colleagues at HFMC Wealth.
This issue continues the theme of change, looking at a number of changes and how to best navigate them. With over 400k students achieving university level grades this year many of you will have children or grandchildren attending university for the first time. You may well be thinking of their financial future and how best to support them. Joseph Bacon takes a deep dive into university fees for us, considering the best way to support your children and grandchildren in a way that might not just benefit them financially but you also.
With the US election fast approaching you may be assuming that there will be a lot of uncertainty in the US markets. Darren Berry examines what we can expect from the markets in this election year, and whether we can expect significant volatility based on what has happened in previous election years.
In 1994, the first premium bond millionaire was created, and since then premium bonds will have been held be many of you and they were considered a mainstay in many portfolios. Back then Nelson Mandela was being sworn in as South Africa’s president, the Channel Tunnel was officially opened, Forrest Gump was running across cinemas. The world looks very different now. Thirty years on, Caroline Richmond looks at what has changed with premium bonds and whether they are still as good bet for you to achieve your financial goals.
We are also delighted to include a guest author article written by Andrew Dixson-Smith who was one of the founding members of Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) and who has worked as a specialist alongside a number of our advisors over the years. In his article he looks at the potential cost of later life care and how best to build this into your financial plan.
Finally, as always with the British weather, we are all in hope of an Indian Summer. On a lighter note, as a very keen gardener himself, Alan Weston looks at the best gardens to visit this autumn, irrespective of whether the weather holds or not.
Best regards,
Ross
