Wirral Life March 2020 | Page 7

IN BRIEF WIRRAL'S HELEN BROWN NAMED AMONG TOP- RATED FINANCIAL ADVISERS IN THE UK A leading Wirral financial adviser has been named among the top-rated financial advisers in the UK. Helen Brown, who works for Neston-based Phillip Bates & Co Financial Services, appeared in the Sunday Times’ supplement “vouchedfor’s 2020 Guide to the UK’s Top-Rated Financial Advisers”. The list was prepared in conjunction with VouchedFor, the UK's No.1 independent review site where all listed advisers must undergo extensive checks prior to listing and be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Helen was one of only a handful of advisers from Cheshire and Wirral to make the list of financial advisers. She specialises in advising clients on pensions and retirement income as well as investments and annuities. The list is compiled based on the number and quality of reviews posted by clients on the vouchedfor website. Helen, who has appeared on this list every time it has been produced, said: “I am always honoured to appear in the Sunday Times VouchedFor list of the top-rated financial advisers in the UK. It is particularly pleasing because the list is compiled as a direct result of reviews from my clients. Many people who need advice don’t know where to start in trying to find a suitable adviser. This list and the vouchedfor website provide an invaluable resource for those who wish to find a local adviser and to gain some insight into the experiences of others before approaching them. I truly hope that this does encourage individuals to seek the advice they need.” Helen is one of three Chartered Financial Planners at Phillip Bates & Co Financial Services along with MD Alan Mellor and Margo Dorozik. RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR YOUNG SAILORS AT WEST KIRBY SAILING CLUB West Kirby Sailing Club are celebrating the success of twelve of their young sailors who have been selected for both Regional and National RYA Optimist squads – a record number of sailors in squads for the Club. Five sailors have been invited into the Regional North Squad; Oscar Sandow (12) Isobel Sandow (10) Leon Kadioglu (10) Sebastian Nixon (11) and Thomas Hazleton (11), who will all be travelling to sailing clubs all over the North of England for training throughout the winter. Four sailors have been selected for the National Squad; Arwen Fflur (13) Freya Sewell (14) George Creasy (13) and Patrick Bromilow (12) who are amongst the top 18 ranked sailors in the country. Three girls have joined the Junior Girls Squad; Holly Wright (12) Olivia Creasy (11) and Olly Nixon (13) making up the remainder of the top 25 ranked girls in the country. The sailors will train hard over the winter in preparation for the start of regatta season in the spring, with lots of national as well as some international competition planned. Exciting times ahead for these young sailors! West Kirby Sailing Club has a strong junior sailing programme, called The Optimist Dolphins. It is a learn to sail to race programme for children from the age of 5 who are taught to sail on West Kirby Marine Lake in Optimist dinghies, an ideal sized boat for younger children to get to grips with sailing and then eventually learning how to race against their peers. West Kirby Sailing Club has a new intake of beginner sailors every spring. For families who have children interested in getting involved with the junior sailing programme please contact Clare Rogers; [email protected] and keep an eye on the website www.wksc.org.uk for junior events. wirrallife.com 7