Along with the rest of the world, our own little Magenta world has gone through quite a few changes over the past 18 months.
We thought we would give you an update on the team members that you already know, as well as a bit of information on our newest team members.
Gretchen
This past 12 months has been a year of many changes for Magenta. As most of you already know Julie has now retired from advice, making me the sole Financial Planner and Director of Magenta. I am excited for the future of Magenta, especially as we have some new team members.
Whilst the awards season was cancelled last year, I am happy to say that this year not only are they going ahead but Magenta has been shortlisted for several awards.
I have been busy working with our new planner, Jamie, and Jess on several exciting marketing projects that will be rolled out through the next 6 months.
In the past 12 months I have become the proud mum of two fluffy and energetic kittens called Teddy and Pumpkin who like to join me when I am working from home (which is great until they walk across the screen or keyboard!)
I have been lucky enough to enjoy a lot of time with my family and even enjoyed some time away at Bluestone and in Scotland.
Julie
So as most of you know, Julie decided it was time for her to hang up her Financial Advising boots and embrace the adventure that is retirement. Whilst Julie isn’t a director of Magenta anymore, she has stayed on as a consultant and is still involved in some marketing and business strategy.
We all knew Julie’s retirement wouldn’t be just to put her feet up on the sofa! As well as renovating her new home, she planned her wedding and got married, despite a year’s delay due to covid. Julie and Bob have been travelling in Ireland for the last month and really enjoyed the scenery and days on their motorbike.
Jess
Over the past 12 months I have been working hard to complete my diploma. The hard work has paid off and I now have my Diploma in Financial Planning (Dip PFS). I am not stopping there and have already started working towards my chartered exams. I have written a blog about this so if you want to read more about it you can read it here.
I have certainly had a lot on my plate this year. With my partner, John I have purchased our first house together and gained another kitty, called Percy. He is now 10 months old. Our other cat Guinness is slowly warming to him.
Mandy
I feel very luckily that both myself and my family have, to date, avoided Covid. As we are working a hybrid working week I feel that it gives me a better work, life balance.
I have been able to get away for a few short breaks in the UK, most recently a VERY belated birthday treat to see the Harry Potter studio tour and Les Misérables. I still enjoy my yarn related crafts and adding to my wool stash which is now in excess of 200 balls!
Jamie
I joined Magenta in February this year, at a time when things were opening back up and both the team and clients started returning to the office.
I’m an experienced financial planner, so was aware of Magenta given its strong reputation in the financial planning world and I was excited to join. I’m very happy to say it has not disappointed!
Each member of the team is passionate about what they do and buy into what we are doing and why, which makes it very easy for someone like me coming in to feel inspired to be a part of it all.
I’ve very much enjoyed learning the ‘Magenta Way’ in my first 6 months and in that time getting to meet some of our interesting, engaging and generally very nice clients.
Outside of work, my partner Lorna and I are currently going through the process of buying a house. We’re hopefully moving to Claverham, which is a small village just outside of Bristol.
Much like everyone else in the team, I have a blend of working from home and coming into the office during the week, so living on the other side of the bridge isn’t prohibitively far.
Isabel
I have now been with Magenta for just over a year. My first year with Magenta has been a different one, between Covid and working remotely.
For the past 12 months I have been getting to know the process behind everything that happens, and learning something new every day, it has been extremely interesting, and I am excited to learn more. I am enjoying working with the team.
In my own time, I have managed to have a week away in a lodge in Brecon, found out I am going to be a bridesmaid for my sister and visited my grandparents farm in Mid Wales for the first time in over 12 months.
Ally
I cannot believe how quickly my time at Magenta has gone. I now feel more settled having been here for a year and a half. I have enjoyed getting to know the team, the processes, and the clients.
Working in a new role through a pandemic has been a challenge and I am enjoying being back in the office. As the Business Manager there have been many challenges these past 12 months ranging from Health and Safety to managing a remote team. I have been very lucky in that the team have been very supportive.
These past couple of months have had me thinking more about my health and fitness more than ever so I joined a gym and jumped on the paddleboard craze I love spending time with my 16 year old daughter (when she allows it) and my husband.
Clare
The last 12 months has been a mixture of navigating working from home and home schooling, along with making the most of the pockets of time where we were able to see friends and family.
Workwise I cannot believe I have been at Magenta for just over a year. I have spent the past 12 months getting to know the team, the clients and the Magenta way of working.
I turned 50 last summer in that short period of time where restrictions were lifted and was lucky enough that family friends put on great garden party for everyone to help me celebrate.
This summer I managed a staycation in West Wales with my son, which was a long overdue break for us both.
Carly
I have found the past 12 months has made the team feel closer, being on TEAMS I have seen my colleagues’ homes, family and their pets. It’s been nice to get to know my colleagues outside of just work.
I have enjoyed helping train new team members and even gave a presentation to the team.
At home I have 3 children who had to be home schooled for part of the year whilst I was not only working from home but having major renovations done on the house. Having a new kitchen and an attic conversion during a pandemic, my husband and I home working, and home schooling was not great timing.
As if that wasn’t enough, I also added to our family with a French bulldog puppy, Walter.
If you’d like to read more about the team, their qualifications and experience, you can visit our team page on the website HERE