Your December 2024 MLP team update
Welcome to the latest edition of your MLP team update.
The past few months have been incredibly busy and filled with exciting news!
From team outings to stand-up comedy and hip-hop concerts to sponsoring the local Christmas lights and celebrating birthdays, there’s been plenty happening at MLP. Read on to catch up on all the latest updates.
We enjoyed a stand-up comedy show on a team night out
At MLP, we work hard, but we also know how to have a good time together.
Recently, our team headed to London to see Simon Brodkin – better known for his comedic alter ego, Lee Nelson – perform stand-up at the Eventim Apollo.
If you’re not familiar with Simon Brodkin, you might recognise him from some of his infamous publicity stunts, like throwing money at Sepp Blatter or handing Theresa May a P45 form!
Seán originally bought a ticket for himself but quickly realised it would be much more fun if the whole team went. Sometimes, it’s essential to let your hair down and enjoy a good laugh together, right?
Everyone loved the performance, and what made it even better was seeing the entire team having such a great time. We work hard, and it's important to balance that with regular trips and experiences outside of work. It not only builds camaraderie but strengthens our team spirit.
We know that people often leave jobs because of culture, not money. That’s why we put so much effort into fostering a fun and positive work environment where everyone enjoys each other’s company.
We sponsored our local Christmas lights
This winter, we’ve had the pleasure of sponsoring the Banstead Christmas lights, and what an enjoyable event it was!
We had a fantastic time getting involved in the festivities and giving back to our community.
The MLP team was there in full spirit, handing out free mulled wine, sweets for the children, mince pies, and we even had a post box for Father Christmas letters – one of which was surprisingly from an adult!
On top of that, we collected donations for the Christmas lights, which we’re still counting, but we know we gathered a generous amount.
It was a wonderful opportunity to support the lights, which almost didn’t happen last year, and ensure that the village remains bright and festive for everyone.
And, as well as supporting our community, sponsoring these kinds of events also helps out the business.
First and foremost, it’s about our working culture and team spirit. At MLP, we believe that work should be fun too. We all had a great time together at the Christmas fair, and we aim to foster an environment that encourages enjoyment and collective work.
We also got to see and chat with a lot of local clients out celebrating the festivities, helping to strengthen those bonds in a relaxed, enjoyable setting.
We aim to be an active part of the local community, positioning ourselves as the go-to financial planners for Banstead. So, it was great to contribute to something that makes a difference to our neighbours, with no expectation of anything in return.
And of course, from a marketing perspective, sponsoring the Christmas lights was a perfect example of how the best brands create not only a memorable experience for their team but also for the people they serve. The warmth and positive energy we all felt that evening was a testament to the power of the community and our shared values.
A big thank you to everyone on the team for their hard work and enthusiasm in making the night such a success! It truly was a team effort, and we're proud to have been a part of it.
Some of the team went to a hip-hop concert
At MLP, we like to think we’re a bit different from your typical financial planners. Alongside our distinctive business approach, there's also something a little more personal that sets us apart – Seán and Paul’s shared love for hip-hop.
Growing up, the two brothers would listen to cassette tapes (remember those?) of their favourite artists, often recorded off the radio. That love for the genre has stuck with them, and it’s something that they’ve come to share with other members of the team.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Illmatic by Nas, a landmark album in hip-hop history.
To celebrate, Seán, Paul, and our Financial Planner, James, attended a special performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Despite not being born when the album first dropped, James said it was the best concert he’d ever been to. It's amazing how music can connect us across generations!
Not everyone in the office is into hip-hop, but we like to find and explore our common values and interests.
So, whether it’s going to the comedy show you read about earlier or a Nas concert, we like to share our passions as it brings us together as a team, and that, in turn, helps us better serve our clients.
We celebrated Sue’s birthday
We recently celebrated a very special occasion – our amazing Adviser and Business Supporter, Sue’s birthday!
Sue has been with us for over 23 years, and she continues to be an essential part of the team, as vital now as she was when she first joined.
We love any excuse to celebrate, so we sang happy birthday, enjoyed some cake and candles (though we may have skipped a few of the years!), and gave Sue a present.
In the past, we might have simply given a card, but since Seán and Paul took over the business, we’ve placed a much stronger focus on our staff and culture.
If we truly value our people, then we believe it’s important to show it. And, let’s face it, it’s fun too!
It might take a little extra effort, but the positive impact on the team is well worth it. It’s great to see those big smiles around the office – none bigger than Sue’s as we celebrated her special day.
A huge thank you to Sue for all your hard work, dedication, and contributions over the years. We’re lucky to have you on the team!
One of the platforms we use, Quilter, won several awards:
We’re thrilled to share that one of the platforms we use, Quilter, has had a remarkable run of success, winning several prestigious awards recently. Here's a quick roundup:
Best Platform at the Money Marketing Awards
Platform of the Year at the Schroders UK Platform Awards
Best Wrap/Platform at the Moneyfacts Awards
Best Platform at the Professional Paraplanner Awards
On top of that, we were also proud to receive recognition at the 2024 FTAdviser Financial Adviser Service Awards, where Quilter won the following Five Star awards:
Five Stars for Platform
Five Stars for Pensions
Five Stars for Investment
But that’s not all! At the same ceremony, Quilter was also awarded:
Most Improved Platform Provider
Most Improved Pensions and Protection Provider
These accolades are a testament to the strength and innovation of Quilter’s platform and the exceptional service they continue to provide.
We're proud to work with such a reliable and highly regarded platform – well done to everyone in the Quilter team!
See you next time!
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about what the MLP team has been up to this month. Look out for our next update coming soon.
If you want regular financial tips and don't want to miss any of MLP’s latest news, connect with Seán’s LinkedIn and stay updated!
From all of us at MLP, we hope you have a joyous festive season and a happy new year!