‘5 to 9’ boosst team update

Hello! It’s Katie here – the latest boosstie to join the team. In just my second month I have been handed the reins for our team blog – eek! Wow wee! I am not sure where the time has gone! Throughout the months of October and November we have all been super busy and here are some of our exciting adventures to tell you about…

I have been getting in the autumn mood and enjoying some sunshine and lots of long walks in the fresh air with my family. We went pumpkin picking at Kislingbury Sunnies and Spooks, topped off with a hot chocolate before heading home for carving and making pumpkin soup!

It’s a huge but exciting change for me, going from maternity leave and starting not only a new job but a new job in a completely new sector! My heart was in my mouth driving to the boosst offices on my first morning, however the nerves were really not necessary. I have to extend my thanks to all of the boosst team for being so welcoming and to Keith and Josh for taking a leap of faith with me. I am so excited to move forward and embrace the festivities of December but also into the challenges of 2025. So much learning and development to do, bring it on!

Our Big News

The big announcement that the ownership of boosst was to transition from the Butten family to a Trust for the benefit of employees took place in just my second week. I was able to join the internal team announcement which was clearly a proud moment for Josh, Keith and Linda. As a team, we all feel fortunate to work in a business where we have long-term certainty over the future of our employer and we have loved seeing all of the wonderfully supportive comments landing from you, our clients.

Client Events

Sadly I joined just after our ‘Beyond The Money’ client event in September, although from the photos I have seen, it looked like an epic evening. My role going forward is to assist and support the leadership team, so I’m looking forward to getting hands-on with organising our 2025 events. ‘Beyond The Money’ was an in-person event at MK Gallery, with the inspirational Amy Hopper as our special guest speaker. We also launched the boosst Travel & Experience Directory, which you can access on the dashboard of our client portal.

In October, a week before the Budget announcement, we hosted a well-received webinar discussing the likely implications of a new Government, the possible impact on your financial plan and how to take positive steps to be best prepared for change and opportunity. This webinar had our highest attendance ever – so clearly a topic you care deeply about.

What have the boossties been up to?

Just before I arrived, the team headed over to JunkYard Golf in Milton Keynes in October, a colourful, creative and fun atmosphere, the game certainly brought out the competitive side in everyone – so much so the overall winner still depends on who you ask! 😉

: Team Crazy Golf

Josh, Gabby, Keith, Nick, Tom and Jennie all attended the CISI Financial Planning Conference, this year at the Old Trafford Cricket ground. A great experience for all and an opportunity to listen to some of the greatest minds in the profession, a chance to catch up with colleagues and other planners and to bounce around some great ideas for 2025 and beyond. Our very own Gabby even spoke at one of the sessions titled ‘Cashflow – What “Really Good” Looks Like?’

Keith & Linda returned to Portugal after Keith was invited back to his 2nd tennis tournament this year at The Campus, Quinta da Lago. Unusually for Keith, beach days were a highlight which must mean he didn’t win the tennis! 😂. As well as tennis and beaches, they enjoyed some wonderful food – they enjoyed it so much they even have two long stays scheduled for 2025.

Another trip in October for Keith & Linda meant they finally made it to Florence for a long weekend with long term friends Andrew & Ketina. This trip was rearranged from 2020 but it was certainly worth the wait!

They embarked on some amazing sightseeing tours, including a trip out to a family owned cheese and winery in the Tuscan hills, it was great food and wine all the way! Florence ticked lots of boxes, even impressing Keith by being so on brand! (Look at that gorgeous purple lighting!). Keith & Linda would highly recommend Florence if you’ve not yet been. Having visited Sienna and Puglia before, they recommend all three – if your body can cope with the insane quantities of food!

In keeping with the Italian theme 🇮🇹 Tom and his wife Alice visited the beautiful island of Sicily for a long weekend celebrating their 5th Wedding Anniversary. A well deserved beach break after running the Berlin Marathon! The best bits included restocking those essential carbohydrates with pasta and pizza and the breathtaking views.

Pictures speak a thousand words – the boosst photographer of the year award – (if we had one) – should surely go to Dawn for this fantastic photo she took during her half term visit to the Gower in Wales. We cannot confirm or deny whether a safety net for the cow was provided by the farmer.

Our very own sporting hero Ryan made the news! He completed 100 appearances for his club, MK Irish FC. MK Irish are looking to grow the appeal of football in Milton Keynes. The team missed out on promotion last year by losing in the play offs. So far though, they are top of the league this year, so hopefully promotion is in sight This should attract bigger crowds and improve the quality of football and fuel the growth of the club – watch this space!

Nick ventured up to the beautiful peak district for some hiking and some unforgettable views! No boosst employee was hurt in the making of this photo! My fun fact regarding the peak district; the name ‘Peak’ does not actually relate to the region’s uplands, but is thought to derive from the Pecsaetan, an Anglo-Saxon tribe which settled in the area.

Jennie and her husband Nick also spent some time away in our beautiful country on a staycation in North Devon with, of course, the gorgeous Luna in tow. After spending lots of time in Norfolk, the rugged coastline of North Devon was very different to their usual beach holidays. Rest assured, anywhere Luna is, she’ll sniff out the biggest stick!

Nicola and her family enjoyed a weekend in Highcliffe & Bournemouth. The weather started well but quickly deteriorated resulting in an impromptu trip to the Oceanarium & Marwell Zoo where they said hello to the newest resident, a 2 week giraffe!

They also enjoyed the Milton Keynes City of Codes & Light festival at Campbell Park with live music by the Club Classics Orchestra followed by an amazing drone show.

Back in London, Keith, Nick, Ryan, Riah and Tom all attended the ‘Humans Under Management’ conference. It’s a day focused on behavioural finance and the content shares our outlook that the ‘plan comes before the portfolio’ and helps to introduce new ideas for how we support you, as humans, on your journey.

Gabby and Josh made base in Cape Town throughout November, finding a balance between remote work mid-week and travelling the beautiful Western Cape over long weekends. Their adventures took them inland, to explore Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, as well as stopping by some amazing restaurants, including two on the World Top 50 list. They also returned to Langa township, where Josh played a rugby match in 2007 to see how the community has moved forwards. If you are going to Cape Town, or considering it, they are very happy to setup a call to share notes from their 4 weeks and can share details of how to safely travel through the township with a guide, if you’d like to see ‘the other side’ of life in Cape Town.

In their own words… they came home a little tanned, a fair bit heavier – but full of happiness.

Bake Off Gallery:

Throughout October and November the team have been honing their culinary skills and creating their show stoppers as part of the 2024 bake off competition, definitely saving the best till last! I can personally attest to the quality of taste and tremendous effort the team have put in. Joining the team late (starting in October) I haven’t yet submitted an entry… but may well sneak a special treat in before Christmas.

Below are the entries, which one is your favourite?