Essential Wealth Management celebrates 40th anniversary

In 1979, the year in which Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first female prime minister, Helen Newport started her career as a financial planning consultant and started, what is now, Essential Wealth Management. At that time, inflation stood at 17%, the average house price was £13,650 and £1 would buy you 4.5 litres of petrol, 10 1st class stamps or 24 eggs. The FTSE 100 did not exist (it was launched in 1984) and there was no regulation of financial services to speak of; the Financial Services Act was not passed until 1986. Helen was self-employed and earned her first fee in 1980, around the start of the global recession of the 80’s. She employed the first member of her team, a part time secretary, in 1981. Helen recalls “my life in the early days was a stressful round of long days and nights and many setbacks. However, I was encouraged that Maggie [Thatcher], managed on five hours sleep and a glass of whiskey. If she could do it, so could I”. Passionate about development, technology and excellence, Helen remained focused on her clients’ needs and her goal was to be “a one-stop shop for much more than buying a policy”. On reflecting on her career, Helen said “I am humbled to think of all the lives I have had the privilege to touch”. Helen kindly shared her story with us, and this can be viewed in full here: Helen's story The business blossomed and grew to become highly respected within the financial services world, and greatly valued by its private clients. The firm has evolved through significant market and regulatory changes. In 2006, Helen recruited Sonia Wheeler who took over the reins in 2013 and purchased the business, allowing Helen to take a well-earned retirement. The firm continues to flourish and today celebrates its 40^th anniversary, providing financial planning and wealth management services for private clients. The business is led by Sonia, supported by a first-class team of Chartered financial planners, Client Managers and administrators, and a fleet of hand-picked associated professionals. Re-branded as Essential Wealth Management five years ago, the firm operates today on the same fundamental principles of professionalism, planning and excellence. Sonia said: “My thanks and untold respect to Helen for having the insight, courage and skill to grow a first-class business. She was a trailblazer, one of the first advisers to take this leap. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to buy this strong business and I am continuing to build something I believe is very special, a vibrant multiple award-winning firm. The team and I would like to share our sincere thanks to all our clients, past and present, for their support and trust. We wouldn’t be here without you all.” Three of the firm’s longest standing clients had this to say: "My wife, Susan, and I have been seeking and taking financial planning advice from Essential Wealth since 1984 and at that time we had no financial or pension plans in place. Now, 35 years on, having had the benefit of receiving excellent, solid and sound financial planning, investment and pension advice from Essential Wealth, my wife and I are now enjoying our retirement years in financial comfort". Mr A Hope “We put our financial affairs in the very capable hands of Helen Newport many years ago and she always looked after our interests with the utmost care, skill and attention. Sonia and the team continue the fine work we came to rely on. I have no doubt that my affairs are in very capable hands and I thank them for all they do for us and our family”. Mr & Mrs Page “The service is not free and cannot be free, but is well worth paying for because of the quality of advice and continuity.  Personal commitment and integrity are matched by expertise, substantiated by rigorous and regular professional examinations.  A strong recommendation from a satisfied customer”. Mr F Poole Charitable support has featured heavily throughout the firm’s history. Since 2006, Essential Wealth have raised over £30,000 for registered charities, with team members completing various challenges and events. They are currently supporting the Bliss charity, the UK’s leading charity for babies born premature or sick. Written by Nicola Smith Helen and Sonia are pictured below