Ashlea Financial Planning, a chartered and accredited firm based in Cheltenham, is a shining example of a smaller independent advice firm. While there may not be plans to grow the company into a behemoth of the profession, the business is promoting the importance of life-focused financial planning.

The year 2021 has seen a period of substantial changes in Ashlea Financial Planning. Their director, Diane Weitz, is retiring, which means that the firm has had to organise the transition of Weitz’s clients to the other advisers, Nik Marsh and Eleanor Clark. The absence of the possibility of face-to-face meetings brought an added dimension to this process. ‘Fortunately,’ says Weitz, ‘our clients’ willingness to move to Zoom meetings enabled a smooth transfer.’

Ashlea Financial Planning is active in the local community. They recently arranged a collection for the Cheltenham Foodbank, which received many donations from clients too. In addition, one of the staff members suggested paying the staff Christmas dinner money to the foodbank to provide for the less fortunate. In total they gave £450 on top of the food donation.