Another year older

So  we're well and truly into the new year now and a birthday to celebrate as well. First IFP Board meeting of the year and a good friend and member’s 50^th birthday last night at the lovely Calcot Manor, Tetbury and an opportunity to catch up with a load of old friends (most still older than me!)

I have noticed with my children who are all well into their teenage years - that my birthdays are a little less exciting than they used to be when they were smaller. I think that there are two factors to consider here. The first one is that it was really unattractive as an idea to get up half an hour earlier in the morning to wish me happy birthday and to give me my cards and presents. This was possibly because none of them had had the opportunity to get me anything! Rhys helpfully asked if I would like cash which seemed rather strange and I added that I probably wouldn’t be interested in second hand Top Shop or River Island vouchers either. Luckily Jo who had been equally busy and devoid of opportunities to get to shops other than the Calvin Klein pants shop was able to share some of her purchases out. I therefore have enough pair of pants to have a clean pair every day for a month and a golf hat! Jemma’s boyfriend Richard managed to get to the local Tescos and spoilt for choice bought me a Smarties cake (as if I needed any more cake). Not wishing to sound ungrateful but there weren’t even any blue ones on the top! Anyway despite my moaning, I had a lovely day and we all went out for dinner at the pub where Rhys and Bec work although noted that there was no discount! Only one more year to a big one!

A great start to the year for the IFP with attendances at the branch meetings breaking records which is excellent news. I am looking forward to speaking at the Northern Home Counties meeting on Wednesday afternoon and the South Wales meeting in Cardiff on Thursday morning. There are over 30 members due at both which is brilliant. There are already over 60 delegates booked into the Financial Planning conference in London on the 23 February at the Brewery. A great line up and likely to be a sell out before the event. As members will have seen we have changed some of our email communications to ensure that we are splitting up information more. I hope that everybody was able to see the latest updates from IFPTV. They will shortly be available via Ipad although I am a little uncomfortable with all that touching the screen when there are people that you know on it. The play button for example is in a very awkward position!

Whilst Cath is on maternity leave, I have had a lot of opportunities to catch up with both new and existing sponsors and it is great that we all seem to be improving and growing together. Proper engagement and alignment when so much focus is starting to turn to Financial Planning model has got to be in everybody’s interest. Proper accreditation of CPD and gap-filling is important as all advisers need to get their Statement of Professional Standing during this year. There are still so many opportunities and it is great that Kevin Garforth is now on board to help with business development.

Golf lessons have now started and I am looking forward to my second tomorrow. Can already see me lining up for the Welsh Pro Am this year if my improvement continues. Tennis Box Ladder starts again tomorrow so the sports season is also now well underway as I bid to get back into box 2 during 2012. Hope everybody has a good weekend whatever you are up to and might perhaps bump into you at a Branch meeting next week.