Hello Hello! Well here we are, the end of 2025!…
We have lots to share with you all from the Autumn months from Dinosaurs to Dugongs… let’s get started…
Top of the list has be to that we are were awarded the title of Accredited Financial Planning Firm of the Year 2025 by our UK professional body! We couldn’t be prouder… and it’s nice to have been recognised specifically for operating a completely client focused, fiercely independent small but very mighty financial planning firm. As a team we know we strive every day for excellence and have a true passion to ensure the best client outcomes. Having our professional body recognise us as the standout firm in the UK and receiving this crown for the second time has left us simply over the moon.
In addition to winning this award, our very own Tom opened the national conference with a keynote about Neurodiversity within the profession – helping to share his knowledge with the wider profession – followed by Keith who closed the main stage on day 1. boosst has built quite the reputation with our sector and we are proud to be able to contribute so much.
On a personal note, I have had a lovely wholesome Autumn, my family and I visited Jurassic World : The Experience (based at Battersea power station London) and what an experience it was! We met Triceratops, stroked a baby Velociraptor, we even got in some training with the famous Blue! (If you’ve seen the films, you’ll know). It was very well done and the whole experience was only an hour, so does keep children engaged. Afterwards we walked around Battersea power station, which is now a shopping centre and tucked into a bite to eat. For those of you that fancy it, I would recommend this for children 5 years and older, the T rex isn’t overly friendly – you have been warned!
Back to some animals we currently share our planet with, I visited an early Christmas fair and could not pull myself away from the Alpaca’s. They were super friendly and inquisitive, the children loved feeding them and I had even dressed to match! This was followed by a beautiful ‘pie night’ in my local town of Towcester. The pies were the best I’ve ever tasted. You can choose from a mix of traditional – steak and ale, chicken and leek, but they also offer different options such as lamb, cheese and jalapeño – outstanding. If any of you have a particular ponchon for pies and are local to Towcester/travelling through Towcester I would be more than happy to share the details of the place.
At boosst every team member is given the opportunity each year to do a ‘Charity day’. This is a chance to donate our energy for a day to a charitable organisation of our choice. No desk admin or charity shop for me, oh no, I chose to offer my time to ‘Animals in Need’ one of my local animal rescue charities. I spent the day mucking out not one – but two giant tortoise, being dive bombed by a territorial magpie, walking greyhounds and cleaning a chicken coup. Although rewarding, next year I may opt for a charity day where I don’t come home smelling like a farmyard. I’ll let you know where I end up for 2026 of course!
As a team we completed our annual ‘reverse advent calendar’, which we know some of you have replicated for wider impact. Throughout November we build up our supplied day-by-day to donate to MK Food Bank – including lots of Christmas treats for families who need a helping hand. Nick took the donations over to the MK Food Bank who were very appreciative of all that we have collected for them.This year we also donated food and toys for dogs, which made its way over to our local branch of National Animal Welfare Trust. 
Laura chose a less mucky charity day than me – smart thinking! She volunteered for Baby Basics Northampton, her day was spent sorting through the donations from the Northamptonshire area into gender and clothing type. The clothes were then bundled with ribbon ready to be added to the gift baskets for expectant mothers who have been referred to the charity.
Baby Basics Northampton is a volunteer-led charity dedicated to supporting new parents and newborns in vulnerable situations. The charity provides moses baskets filled with essential items to mothers and families who are struggling to cope with the financial and practical challenges of caring for a new baby.
Moving from charitable efforts to adventures – at the start of November, Tom and Alice visited New York, as Tom continued to pursue his ‘bucket list’ goal of running the 6 Major Marathons, having been lucky enough to get a place to run the famous New York Marathon. What a challenge to of set! It was certainly a testing experience, and although he didn’t achieve the time he was aiming for, it was a phenomenal experience. After the ‘jog’, Tom and Alice made sure they gained the full ‘NYC’ experience, seeing the sites, eating copious slices of pizza – and even attended a Knicks game at the famous Madison Square Garden. We’ll look forward to hearing where our very own ‘running man’ will be heading next – bring on 2026!
Keith and Linda surprised Josh and Gabby with a brilliant overnight stay at the Oxford Malmaison (the converted prison would you believe!) combined with an afternoon at the Theatre with Tim Peake. The hotel was incredible: they’ve kept so much of the original prison layout. Gabby said that wandering the corridors felt a bit like stepping into The Green Mile!
Tim Peake’s show was all about his journey to space and he shared plenty of funny stories and fascinating insights. Josh and Gabby got to meet Tim after the show, and he was genuinely lovely and very inspirational!
Keith and Linda returned to Portugal for a semi-working holiday, popping off to Munich for a few days in-between to see the legendary Simply Red; and yes Mick Hucknell can still sing (or so I’m told). Keith secured a spot in the Tennis Tournament at the tennis club in Portugal… and although his team did not win – they also did not lose – he says that’s important!
Last trip of the year for Senior Buttens took them to Thailand for the first time, they found it to be very friendly, super safe, combining beautiful beaches with an interesting culture – eye opening at times. The night market was the expected mix of copy trainers, clothes & handbags and of course food and drink aplenty including few critter snacks – yummy!
Continuing with the travel theme Avril and Riah have also been on some unforgettable trips in the Autumn months. –
Riah and Harry visited South Korea and Hong Kong to celebrate Harry’s 30th birthday!
They happily ate their way (their words not mine!) across Seoul and Busan indulging in lots of delicious Korean BBQ. One of the highlights from their time in South Korea was staying in a traditional hanok (a traditional Korean home) on the last night. They hiked up Braemar Hill in Hong Kong which delivered spectacular panoramic views of the city with surprisingly minimal effort, though they did manage to wander off track for a bit – it only added to the adventure!
This trip marks countries 25 and 26 on Riah’s journey to get to 30 countries before here 30th birthday next December – watch this space – she’s nearly there! We’re looking forward to hearing where Riah and Harry will be heading for the final 4 countries.
Avril and Gary enjoyed a trip to Egypt – to snorkel with Dolphins, Turtles and Dugong (sea cows) I’ll think you’ll agree it looks simply beautiful and very serene!
The team as a whole also went to support Avril at Berkhamstead Theatre where she was starring in a production of the rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar – a real night to remember.
Phew – I think you’ll agree the boossties are thoroughly following the core value – life is for living!
We look forward to making more memories as a boosst family at our Christmas party and with our own families over the festive break.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and very Happy New Year!
We’ll be back in the New Year refreshed and raring to continue our support in helping you realise your goals for 2026 and beyond.
See you all in 2026…
Katie x