Business & Economy
Perspective (North East) and AYP Financial Planning – A partnership delivering national level service on the doorstep
November 12, 2023
Having recently become part of Chartered financial advisory firm Perspective (North East), Hexham-based AYP Financial Planning is building on nearly two decades of success. Here, the company’s founder Kim Alexandra, and Perspective (North East) managing director Ian Wilkinson, talk about the significance of its move and scope for expansion.
When Kim Alexandra founded AYP Financial Planning in 2005, even she could hardly imagine the positive impact it would have on the lives of people across Northumberland, Cumbria, County Durham and beyond.
Established to deliver independent financial planning support for women, the Hexham-based operator has enjoyed tremendous growth over the last two decades.
And now, having recently become part of Chartered financial advisory firm Perspective (North East), Kim says the venture – whose clients include business owners and those going through divorce or separation – is primed for further success.
She says: “I established AYP to offer a top quality independent financial planning service for women.
“In the almost 20 years since, it has evolved, with clients confidently referring family and friends, who they know will be treated with the utmost respect and professionalism.
“Over recent years, my attention has naturally been drawn towards succession planning and the continuation of our advice and ongoing service to clients.
“I was delighted when my daughter Suzanne Gould joined me ten years ago, following her early career in banking, as well as two further members of staff, who originally experienced the firm as clients.
“However, I knew we needed further support to sustain and grow the business, and we decided the best solution was to find a larger partner, who could not only provide access to the next generation of advisers, but also help with the increasing regulatory burden.
“And having carried out an exhaustive search, it is wonderful to have found Perspective, which fully shares our values and levels of respect, professionalism and client service.
“This move will provide long-term security to the provision of financial advice for our clients, career security and greater opportunity for our people.”
While strengthening the business’ offer, the move carries no little poignancy too, with the firm’s Hexham office just ten miles from Bardon Mill, where the late Mitch Wilkinson established Perspective (North East) precursor Wilkinson Hatton in 1985.
Mitch’s son Ian joined the firm in 1989, aged 19, having worked for three years on a farm after leaving school.
And having since risen to become managing director of Perspective (North East) and chief executive of the overall Perspective Financial Group, he says he is delighted to add some Hexham roots to the organisation.
He said: “From the earliest days, my prime motivation has been to create a business with the strength and capacity to create teams of financial advisors who specialise in their chosen discipline, with the in-depth expertise and knowledge required to deliver the highest level of bespoke financial planning.
“And it gives me great personal pride to have a Perspective office in Hexham, the place where I grew up.
“Kim has created an excellent client-driven firm which, with our additional resources, we look forward to helping continue to thrive and expand.”
He adds: “While Perspective has the scale of a national group, we retain the feel of a local firm.
“And the combination of AYP Financial Planning and Perspective promises to bring something different to Hexham, with access to national level specialisms and expertise on the doorstep.”