What’s your strategy for change?

Change is on many people’s minds at this time of year but thinking about doing things differently is one thing, actually taking action is more challenging, which is why many of our new year resolutions are broken before the end of January.

One man who hasn’t rested on his laurels when it comes to change is Graham Cross, the managing director at Helm Godfrey. As a recent feature in Citywire New Model Adviser highlights, this is a man with a mission.

Some of the changes he has instigated at Helm Godfrey have been through compliance necessity but his has been far more than a tick box approach to keeping the regulator happy.

Clients first

As you would hope from a man whose company has almost £1 billion under advice, he is very much driven by doing what is best for the clients who put their trust in the organisation and the advisers who work there.

With clients at the centre of his planning, he has developed a strategy that is based on understanding and managing risk across all aspects of the business.

Investment risk is just one aspect of his strategy and we are proud that his extensive research into how to do things better has led him to partner with PortfolioMetrix.

Multiple investment options

The investment model at Helm Godfrey is not a one size fits all. Putting PortfolioMetrix into the mix allows the firm to offer a cost-effective discretionary service, enabling them to make changes and rebalance portfolios without the constant need for direct client permission. As Graham says in the feature, this is more efficient and reduces business risk, plus should add value for clients.

He highlights one of the reasons he likes PortfolioMetrix is our joined-up process of risk profiling, portfolio construction and client reporting. He also appreciates how our technology enables a bespoke service by providing a choice of around 15,000 portfolios.

For any financial adviser one of the key challenges is being able to step back and really look at the business in a strategic way. Only by doing this can a plan be implemented that will really drive the sort of changes that add value to clients and the bottom line.

The best business leaders have the ability to marry strategic thinking with the drive to push through changes and Graham Cross is a case in point.

If you are looking for inspiration to keep motivated with your own good intentions as January draws to a close, I urge you to take a few minutes to read the feature. Graham’s story shows that change is challenging but, with planning and focus, it can be the catalyst to long term success.