Five-year milestone for Swindon financial planning team

The team at award-winning company Southby & Co Financial Planning are celebrating a major business milestone - five years in business.

The company, based in Swindon, now has a team of five and is growing steadily.

Founder Dave Southby founded the company aged just 28, working from home with a plan to create a brand which offers a caring and holistic approach to planning for a client’s financial future.

Today, the company is a multi award-winning business, has been recognised within the Positive Business movement and has achieved Top Rated Adviser status for four consecutive years.

Yet for Dave, the fifth anniversary is as much about the people who have contributed to the journey as it is about the accolades the company has received.

He said: “When I look back at the last five years, one word really stands out and that is ‘we’. Nobody builds a successful business alone.

"Our clients, team, professional partners, suppliers and the wider network of people around us have all played a part in where we are today and we hope they will play a part in where we are going.

“I’m proud of the awards and the growth, but some of the greatest rewards have come from seeing people develop, building relationships with clients and being able to make a positive contribution to our community.”

Among Dave’s highlights is Southby & Co becoming a multi award-winning business and receiving Highly Commended recognition in two categories at the Financial Times Adviser Awards.

The company has also been recognised as a leader within the Positive Business movement, reflecting its aim to create a positive social and environmental impact alongside building a successful company.

Another source of pride has been the growth and development of the Southby & Co team.

From the outset, Dave wanted the company to create opportunities for others and he has found watching colleagues develop their careers, confidence and aspirations particularly rewarding.

Client trust also features prominently among the team’s achievements. Southby & Co has been recognised as a Top Rated Adviser for four consecutive years and has received more than 130 five star Google reviews.

Completing Dave’s five highlights is the company’s commitment to its local community.

During its first five years, Southby & Co has raised thousands of pounds for local charities and community causes and intends to continue its fundraising.

The anniversary has also given Dave an opportunity to consider the lessons he has learned personally as an entrepreneur.

Dave said: “There have been many lessons along the way and my first was in accepting that a business owner does not need to know everything and that asking questions can be a strength.

"As someone who knows numbers, I quickly realised that it’s wiser to invest in others to do tasks you don’t enjoy or are not good at.

"Now I work with experts for support in areas where they have greater knowledge or experience.”

Another lesson for him is consistency even when times are tricky.

Rather than immediately changing direction when something which has previously worked becomes quieter, Dave believes there is value in staying true to company ethics and accepting that businesses naturally experience different periods.

His final lesson is to pay attention to the smallest details, whether that is the way the team communicates with clients, prepares for meetings or demonstrates that people matter.

“Five years has gone incredibly quickly and there have inevitably been challenges as well as successes.

"I’ve learned that you don’t have to have every answer, that it’s important to surround yourself with the right people and that you have to keep showing up even when you are incredibly busy.

“I’ve also learned to trust what works and not panic when things become quieter.

"Above all, the small details matter. How people are treated and how you make them feel can have an enormous impact. We’re very grateful to everyone who has been part of our first five years and we’re excited about what the next five will bring.”

Southby & Co Financial Planning provides financial planning services to its clients, with an emphasis on trusted relationships and positive impact.

To find out more visit https://www.southbyfp.co.uk/