Portsoken trusted partners
Over the years, we have been fortunate to work with many talented people and organisations who have provided great support and have served our clients well. Each has become a ‘trusted partner’ and many are friends. It is now time to recognise that support.
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Communications
Yellow Otter Associates
Yellow Otter Associates is a new type of advisory business set up to help companies, consultancies and providers deliver innovation, products, benefits programs, communication, technology and messaging to their customers.
We also help companies in a variety of different ways; from investment, purchases, sales, distribution and good old-fashioned consultancy, Yellow Otter brings a new way of thinking to start-ups and established businesses in the insurance and insurtech sectors.
Contact
Charlie Carrick
T: +44 (0)7515 564433
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Employee Benefits
County Employee Benefits
Start-up companies, tech, housing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, construction are just some of the companies that we work with.
We work with companies that want to work in partnership with us to ensure they are delivering the right solution for the business and employees. We offer a full range of consultancy services that is built around your needs and requirements. No two client’s needs are the same. We work with you to develop a solution based upon your needs and budget.
Some of the areas we cover are:
- Communication
- Flexible benefits
- All aspects of Pensions
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits
- Group risk benefits
- Motivation and engagement
- Consultancy
- One off project
Regulatory status:
- Regulated by the FCA 826330
Membership of professional bodies:
- Amii and GRiD
Contact
01452 229188
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Healthcare Management
Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate is a market leader in developing and deploying new products and services providing access to blended private and public healthcare providers.
Continuum of Care
This innovative nurse-led integrated approach expedites treatment/care plans, accelerates recovery, return to health, return to work, and reduces costs. We manage medical, mental health and occupational health conditions across the continuum of care, using evidence-based clinically compliant guidelines within a robust care and case management database and outcomes reporting technology system.
So, with the above in mind, Patient Advocate has responded to the emerging COVID-19 situation that is currently presenting employers with increasing questions and concerns from their staff population. With the daily changes, demand for information and advice on what to do if people think they may have symptoms is set to increase. This will lead to workforce management issues, changing working practices and a need for a flexible approach.
Nurse Helpline and App
In response to COVID-19, Patient Advocate have developed a Nurse Helpline and an app that provides reassurance, guidance and advice to employees who may be concerned about the current situation, experiencing symptoms or require help to access additional healthcare support.
For further information regarding any of the above, please contact:
Michael Tate
CEOE: Michael@patientadvocate.co.uk
M: 07709 579 785
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HR Management Services and Advice
Privilege HR
Privilege HR provides businesses with a range of HR, Consultancy Services including project management, recruitment and training solutions offering advice and support truly becoming an extension of your team as and when you require. They work in a wide variety of sectors supporting companies of all sizes.
The team at Privilege HR bring a wealth of commercially focused experience to the HR sector, having worked in HR departments in various businesses for over 30 years. They have worked at executive and board level for large national and international blue-chip companies in Public, Private and third sector organisations.
The team have gained valuable experience in startups and larger businesses both nationally and internationally, and in turn want to help your business prosper and grow. Over the years, Privilege have undertaken complex change management and turnaround programs to ensure the right people, with the right skills, are performing at the highest standards; which is crucial to the success of any business. They are able to develop and implement a people strategy that is aligned with the vision, values and aspira tions of any business.
Development of the workforce is so important for any business, helping to achieve healthy succession plans which are imperative when growing your business.
For more information visit privilegehr.co.uk
Email peter@privilegehr.co.uk
Or to arrange an appointment, call 03333 444679
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Independent Trusteeship
Trustee Solutions Limited
Trustee Solutions Limited (TSL) is wholly owned by Pinsent Masons LLP and sits with our Pinsent Masons Pensions Services business. TSL can offer the following services:
Sole Trusteeship
- Acting as Trustee Chair
Independent Trusteeship
- Acting as Trustee for Group Life and Excepted Group Life Schemes
How can we add value to your Trustee Board?
- Experienced, experts and independent trustees rather than a stand-alone guru.
- A cost effective, pragmatic and non-confrontational style of trusteeship.
- We are able to apply proportionate trusteeship to the size and resources of the fund.
- In-built legal skills, with the trustee having a professional qualification in trusteeship, helping to avoid the over-engineering of advice. We can distinguish genuinely important issues from the more trivial or technical.
- Practical experience of dealing with accounting, actuarial, administrative and investment issues of trusteeship. We work with rather than against professional advisers, yet still recognise when service levels are inadequate.
- A trusteeship style which is intended to balance the objective of ensuring a minimum level of personal risk to the trustee board whilst conducting the affairs of the scheme in a proportionate manner.
- Reviewing service providers to trustees and subsequently negotiating new terms and conditions, project managing the transfer of services.
- Working with co-trustees to devise investment strategies.
- Indicating to co-trustees ways of managing claims and reducing future claims from members.
- Exploring with co-trustees ways in which to reduce trustee liability to the minimum.
- Presenting complex issues to members and their representative bodies.
If you require further information please contact:
Terry Ritchie
Development DirectorT: +44(0) 20 7418 7136
M+44 (0) 7825 974723 -
Insurance
Insure Risk Ltd
Insure Risk was established by Ged Murray and Paul Denny in 2010 and is based in Altrincham, south Manchester. The business has enjoyed double digit growth every year and continues to do so.
Insure Risk are recognised for delivering fully comprehensive, affordable business insurance and are accredited with a Chartered insurance broker status and full members of The British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA).
Whilst they are able to provide cover for all aspects of commercial/business insurance for many businesses, three key areas for them are:
- Professional Indemnity
- Contractors/Construction
- Property Owners
Contact details
Paul Denny ACII
DirectorT: 0161 926 3634
M: 07590119552Web link: www.insure-risk.com
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Marketing
Isabella Harding – Marketing Consultant
Business credentials
- An accomplished senior marketing professional with 20 years of broad marketing experience. Skilled in internal and external marketing, communications, brand management, brand creation and event management. Capability to plan projects from concept through creation to completion, achieving targets and deadlines on time and within budget.
- So how can I help? Developing the marketing strategy for your company in line with your company objectives is the first step. No project is too small – whether you need help with your marketing or getting involved in every process from the concept of the product to its delivery to the customers I am more than happy to support you.
Business focus and target markets
- A senior marketing professional, that has worked with small business through to FTSE 250 working alongside entrepreneurs to senior board level management.
Isabella Harding
Isabella_harding@talktalk.net
07703 134 915
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Mentor and Coaching
Neil Williams – Executive Coach
My Approach to Developing People
Neil only coaches topics in which he has had real experience himself. With his background as sales manager, managing director and non-executive director, Neil is a challenging coach who looks and supports his coachees to get results. He combines this with his natural relaxed style to assess what is needed from the sponsor and coachee; building trust in order to achieve objectives quickly. Coachees normally benefit personally as much as the business benefits.
Neil’s approach to developing people: “I work with Executives, Managers and team leaders. After ensuring we have set clear objectives, the focus is on using practical situations to help achieve these and clarify the learning. Coachees gain so much from the programmes with both parties hopefully enjoying the experience.”
Neil’s Experience
Neil has worked as an Executive Coach for 15 years with both corporates, smaller companies, charities and individuals. He has coached and mentored CEOs, Executives, Senior and Middle Managers in Sales, Business Development, Project Management, Finance, IT and Operations to enhance their leadership capabilities.
Specialist subject areas include:
- 1: 1 coaching for board, executives, MDs & leaders
- 1:1 mentoring for senior executives when they want an impartial and independent view
- Business coaching
- Developing confidence and resilience in others
- Presenting Skills
- Business strategy, vision and values
- Challenging behaviours supportively and objectively to enable positive change
- Career Coaching
- 1:1 Pre-retirement coaching to ensure transition works well
- Meeting assessments and improving efficiency of meetings
He works mainly in the financial sector for corporates and a diverse range of SME’s.
Neil’s Professional Background
Neil is an experienced business leader, mentor and accredited coach, specialising in career, business and leadership coaching. He is also an accredited coach supervisor.
An excellent communicator and team builder, he has experience in business strategy, sales, marketing and people development.
As a former Managing Director himself, Neil successfully turned around a distressed business by building a robust business plan, reshaping the Directors’ team with clear accountabilities, selecting the management team and implementing a new sales culture.
Neil’s Qualifications & CPD
- Master NLP Practitioner
- Accredited Coach Association of Coaching (AC)
- Accredited Supervisor of Coaches (AC & CSA)
- Accredited Prism Brainmapping Facilitator
- Founder of Association of Coaching Supervisors
- Fellow of Chartered Insurance Institute
Neil Williams Executive Coach
www.nvwsolutions.co.uk -
Negotiations
Focal Point Negotiations
Stephen Jones – Managing Director, Focal Point Negotiation Consultancy
Negotiation expert with wide board level experience in diverse markets. Delivers results quickly and consistently.
Key skills
- Rapidly evaluating situations, creating options and developing innovative solutions to drive profitability
- Negotiating
- Coaching and capability building of teams and individuals
- Procurement and sales strategy and execution
- Creating rapport quickly – and communicating at all levels.
Negotiation Consultancy (Focal Point Coaching) (MD)
Example Negotiation and Coaching Assignments include:
- Achieved £4m like for like cost reductions for a £140m turnover automotive wholesaler
- Reduced lifestyle retailer supplier costs by £400k
- Training and coaching the senior buying team of a UK food retailer in negotiation, range management and strategic supplier management. In the first year of implementation they reduced their retail prices by 11% whilst maintaining margin
- Worked with a European retailer’s buying team to deliver £6million in supply savings in six weeks
- Guided the renegotiation of a major Sports sponsorship deal that will lead to savings of £6m
- Price and fee increase negotiation coaching for various FMCG companies and management consultancies
Confidentiality agreements and the commercial sensitivity of the work that I undertake preclude me from going into more detail, however recent and current clients include:
Tesco | pets at home | Energizer | Google | Notcutts | Heinz | Vodafone | Heineken | Superdrug | ?What If!
Other Information:
As well as being a guest lecturer on Negotiation at Kent Business School, I am frequently asked by the BBC to comment on negotiation and issues relating to retailers and their supply chains. Links to some of these can be found here: negotiationexpert.uk/in-the-media
A more detailed profile and career information is available on LinkedIn – uk.linkedin.com/in/steverjones
Open references can be found here: negotiationexpert.uk/testimonials and obviously personal confidential references can be provided as appropriate.
Personal Development/Qualifications
- The Effective Non-Executive Director (2016)
- Director as Strategic Leader – Cranfield School of Management
- Diploma in Business Performance Coaching
- CEDR Accredited Mediator
- British Psychological Society Level A and level B in psychometric testing (now known as Occupational Test User (Ability) and Occupational Test User (Personality)
- SFEDI accredited enterprise mentor
- Certified NLP Master Practitioner - Association of NLP
Stephen Jones
27 Burys Bank Road, Thatcham, Berks RG19 8BZ
Tel: 01635 886226
Mobile: 07767 611295 -
Property Funding
Anderson Harris
Anderson Harris is a fully regulated whole of market mortgage brokerage specialising in complex mortgage requirements for Private Clients. Harry Arnold (CEMAP) arranges mortgage finance for clients from across the wealth brackets and is largely focused on main residential mortgages for clients with complex income structures and or asset wealthy income poor clients. The majority of Harry’s clients are UK domestic borrowers buying in the south east or south west of the UK (Though not exclusively). The firm also look after foreign buyers looking to buy a UK residence. Areas of strength for the firm:
- Older borrowers (Inc lifetime mortgages)
- Bridging Finance
- Large mortgages
Harry Arnold
DirectorMobile: 07535 674330
Landline: 020 7495 6633
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Risk & Compliance
City Compliance Ltd
City Compliance was founded by Mr David Goodley – a career compliance professional, who has held senior compliance positions within the following firms:
- Lloyds TSB
- Marsh
- Barbon Insurance Group
- Tesco Bank
- R&Q Insurance and MGA Services
Following two years as a Senior Compliance Consultant / Account Manager with Callidus Solutions Limited, he formed City Compliance to focus on the provision of compliance services to smaller insurance operations.
City Compliance is building a reputation for quality, integrity and innovation resulting from a focus on relationships with our clients based on trust and mutual respect. Our collaborative, fresh and determined approach enables us to provide valuable strategic insights and direction to find the best solutions to even the most complex problems.
We provide regulatory compliance services to the insurance industry and nothing else!
- FCA Authorisation -Supporting new insurance brokers and MGAs with FCA applications, developing compliance systems and controls to enable compliant trading from the outset, and ongoing compliance support.
- Outsourced Compliance -Providing a full outsourced compliance service to smaller insurance enterprises who don't need to hire a full time compliance officer.
- Extra Compliance Resource – Providing additional compliance resources to existing in-house compliance teams to support special projects, (e.g. new FCA permissions, managing FCA ARROW visits etc), or "backfilling" for the compliance team in order that such projects can be delivered without adversely affecting day to day compliance operations.
- Expert Advice – to help client make the most of commercial opportunities
David Goodley
www.city-compliance.co.uk
david@city-compliance.co.uk
0203 2904308 / 07581 289190 -
Speciality Protection Insurance
Cura Insurance
At Cura we specialise in finding protection insurance for people who are seen to be high risk, quirky or non-standard. We are known for 'insuring the uninsurable' and we fight for fairer terms and access to insurance for everybody.
Based in the seaside town of Filey, North Yorkshire we provide an online insurance advisory service. Our insurance advisers and administrative team remove the stress of your application process by handling as much of your application as possible, with regular telephone and email updates as often as you want them. Using our experience and industry knowledge, we dedicate our time to find you the best terms and price for your policy.
We specialise in:
- Life Insurance
- Critical Illness Cover
- Income Protection
- Accident, Sickness & Unemployment Insurance
- Hazardous Occupations
- Foreign Travel
- Pre-existing Health Conditions
- Hazardous Pastimes / Sports
Our team have provided insurance advice since 2005 and have helped many individuals secure insurance policies who have previously been turned away by other brokers as 'uninsurable'. We pride ourselves on finding the right insurance products where others cannot.
Over the years Cura have been frequent winners of many industry awards, individually and as a company, highlights include:
- Cover Excellence Awards
- Cover Women in Protection Awards
- Protection Review
- National Centre for Diversity
- Professional Adviser Woman in Finance Awards
- AIG Quality Awards
- Moneyfacts Investments Life & Pensions
- Financial Reporter's Women's Recognitions
- Insurance Post Diversity & Inclusion in Insurance Awards
Our managing directors Kathryn & Alan Knowles appear often in industry press for comment or are asked to write articles on important issues within the insurance world. Alan Knowles (MD) currently chairs the Protection Distributors Group (PDG) and sits on the Access to Insurance Working Group.
Contact details
If you would like to have a chat about how we can help find a policy for your insurance needs please give us a call or visit our website.
Telephone: 01723 516600
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Financial advice on retirement and divorce
Strattan Financial
Strattan Financial was founded in 2014 and is wholly owned by Dick Strattan, a pensions and finance expert and qualified Actuary, who has 50 years’ hands-on experience. Dick personally provides his clients (both individuals and corporate) with help, advice and insights in a unique and highly engaging way.
Dick is ably supported by his PA Louise Lee, who has been working with the Company since its outset.
Strattan Financial supports and advises on:
For individuals
- Pensions and finances on divorce
- Pensions and finances and budget planning before during and after retirement, including facilitating the consolidation of different pension “pots”
- Access to fully qualified property finance/mortgage/equity release specialists Anderson Harris (AH). Dick is a Non Executive Director of AH
- Access to a leading and top quality IFA (Premier Companies) for any formal regulated advice needed. Dick has worked closely with Premier for over 5 years.
For companies
- Strategic pensions and business issues
- Access to Dick’s wide and rich network of contacts and connections built up during his long and successful career.
Generally
For both individuals and companies, Dick’s approach is highly focussed, personalised and innovative. It is intended to help clients make informed decisions on what to do, rather than acting as an expensive post box.
Based near Reigate In Surrey, Dick visits London several times a week and has access to quality meeting rooms in Victoria and Pall Mall.
Dick qualified as an Actuary in 1977. During a five decade long career he worked at partner/board level for some 20 years for Mercer and for AON, before setting up Strattan Financial in 2014.
He is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
M: +44 (0)7789 030464
Telephone Louise Lee on 01223 803666.
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Web Services
Rubicon Benefit Communications
Founded in 1998, Rubicon originally specialised in HR and pension communications, though that business focus has broadened in recent years to include any and all business areas, delivered via both print and web.
We create websites – this one you’re looking at is a good example of what we do: our focus is on a light framework delivering an online brochure approach. We don’t do e-commerce, just stylish, fast functioning information-based sites delivered in a format to reflect your corporate image.
Nick Gurney 01823 481832
Mobile 07594 819347nick.gurney@rubicon-benefit.com
June Lancaster 020 8292 1591
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Wills and Probate
Kreston Reeves LLP
Kreston Reeves advises dynamic organisations, private individuals and families on all areas of business, tax and wealth. With offices across London, Kent and Sussex we are dedicated to meeting and exceeding the needs of all our clients wherever their ambition takes them.
As well as the full range of accountancy, business and personal advisory services we offer our clients, we also have a well-established teams of specialists who have a particular focus on academies and education, agriculture, charities and not for profit, City of London livery companies, financial services, life sciences, manufacturing, pension schemes, professional practices, property and construction and technology.
Our legal services team led by Philip Lansberry can help with wills, trusts, probate, powers of attorney and estate planning.
Regulatory status
Registered to carry on audit work in the UK and Ireland and regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Kreston Reeves Financial Planning Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Kreston Reeves Private Client Services LLP is regulated for a range of investment business activities and licenced to carry out the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England & Wales.
Membership of professional bodies
ICAEW
Contact details
+44 (0) 330 124 1399