As another busy and successful year draws to a close, we’re excited about what 2026 might hold for The Aspire Partnership, and we can’t wait to help you set and achieve new financial goals.
But first, it’s time to reflect on our progress and achievements in 2025.
Here are our favourite 12 highlights from the past year.
1. Awards success and professional recognition
2025 has been an impressive one for the Aspire Partnership’s awards cabinet. Here are our top achievements of the year:
- All of our advisers were once again Top Rated by VouchedFor
- Hosted a table at the Bristol Life Awards, where we were shortlisted for an award
- Awarded the Best Financial Advisers to Work for in the Professional Adviser Awards 2025
- Included in the New Model Adviser Top 100, and shortlisted into the top five for our region
- Naomi was shortlisted in the Financial Adviser of the Year (South West) category at the Women in Financial Advice Awards
- Shortlisted for Adviser Firm of the Year (South West) in the Professional Adviser Awards 2026 (winners to be announced in March).
2. The Bear in Mind health and wellbeing programme featured on TV
The Aspire Partnership supports Bear in Mind, which does vital work giving young girls self-confidence and resilience through sport and open discussion about health and wellbeing issues.
In January, members of the women’s Bristol Bears rugby team visited the Oasis Academy in Brislington to take part in a session aimed at empowering girls. Needless to say, we were delighted when this event was featured on TNT Sports, raising awareness of this important cause.
3. The Aspire team took part in a successful Celebration of Sport day for Bright Sparks
Bright Sparks is a powerful project that uses sport to help disaffected young people develop skills, self-belief, and aspirations, often preventing exclusion.
Four members of The Aspire Partnership took part in a Celebration of Sport day at Ashton Gate Stadium. They led a hands-on session to help young people develop vital money management skills, such as budgeting. Charlie Dashfield also delivered a motivational talk about his journey through football and into work.
4. Our team continued to change and grow
We have experienced both new beginnings and fond farewells within the team this year.
In January, we welcomed Sam Cardy, who joined us as an experienced paraplanner and is settling in brilliantly. Then in June, Ryan Kent returned from his seven-month travelling break, followed soon after by the arrival of new starter Chris MacDonald, an experienced financial adviser.
The team said a temporary farewell to Charlotte, who celebrated the birth of her second child in March. We are looking forward to Charlotte’s return in the spring.
Oli Kenyon-Knibbs moved on to pastures new in the latter part of the year.
5. We delivered interactive sessions for the award-winning Hitz programme
Premiership Rugby’s Hitz programme is an education and employability initiative delivered by all 13 Premiership Rugby clubs to support disengaged young people.
The Aspire Partnership is privileged to partner with this incredible programme by providing sessions for young adults that focus on goal setting, career aspirations, and financial education.
We lead open conversations around personal finances and the importance of planning ahead – keeping it practical, insightful, and interactive. For us, it’s all about sharing real-life knowledge and wisdom that the students can immediately apply to their own lives.
6. Team Aspire cycled 66km in aid of Break the Cycle!
We’re extremely proud to say that this is our 15th year as a sponsor of Break the Cycle. This is a Bristol-based initiative that seeks to raise vital funds for local charities and the Bristol Bears Foundation through mass-sponsored cycling events.
In July, Team Aspire took on the challenge of cycling 66km of rolling terrain, including several steep hills that will live long in our memories.
Thanks to team spirit, determined pedalling, and a few unplanned stops (Joshua Aistrup-Brown managed to rack up three punctures along the way), we did it! It wasn’t easy, but it was all worth it, knowing we’d raised much-needed funds for a great cause. It was great to be part of such a brilliant event.
7. Several team members have achieved outstanding exam success
Completing a demanding professional qualification alongside work and a busy family life is a huge achievement. So, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate the team’s exam successes this year.
Josh Aistrup-Brown, Charlie Dashfield, and Thomas Dewar achieved the CII Diploma in Financial Planning. Meanwhile, Charlotte Croose achieved CII Chartered Financial Planner status.
8. Ken Hall ran the Bristol half-marathon to raise valuable funds for charity
In May, Ken completed this challenging road race to raise funds for our charity partner, the Bristol Bears Community Foundation. This is a terrific organisation that uses sports to promote a range of charitable endeavours in the Bristol area.
We’re extremely proud of Ken’s achievement. Not only did he cross the finish line within his target time – 2 hours and 25 minutes – he also raised an impressive £3,158 for our nominated charity.
9. We learned and developed as professionals thanks to wonderful visitors and speakers
The world of financial services never stands still. Continually learning and staying up to date with key changes helps us to provide the highest standards of support and advice.
We’ve been extremely lucky this year to host several visitors and guest speakers, including our investment partner, 7IM. Talks have covered topics as diverse as trusts and pension reform, Inheritance Tax solutions, and Business Property Relief. We’re already looking forward to next year’s programme of learning and development.
10. We sponsored Stars Netball Club, and they had an incredible season
Once again, Sean Guirey, a West Sussex-based partner and financial planner at The Aspire Partnership, has organised a memorable year of sports sponsorship in his local area.
Our ongoing support as sponsors helps young athletes access opportunities, develop their skills, and continue to shine at the highest levels.
In 2025, we sponsored the Stars Netball Club based in Storrington.
The club had a brilliant season, with standout performances and success across all age groups.
11. Our sponsee, Mollie Adams, had a great year of cricket
Mollie is a talented young wicketkeeper and batter. We have been sponsoring her for several years, and it’s wonderful seeing her progress and succeed.
She had a very strong finish to the summer season, enjoying a successful Super 4s tournament at Loughborough University, resulting in selection for a Winter England U19 squad.
Mollie will also take part in a skills tour to India and a full tour to Australia in March. She has spent the last few weeks in Australia playing for Manly (a premier grade cricket club). The highlight was the opportunity to net alongside Aussie men’s superstar, Steve Smith.
12. We enjoyed lots of fun team building and social events
As much as we love what we do, the Aspire team enjoys meeting up outside the office from time to time – and this year we’ve had lots of fun, including:
- An indoor cricket day – We had a blast at Bristol’s indoor social cricket venue, Sixes.
- Steve’s 60th birthday celebrations – The team enjoyed a delicious meal at Riverstation accompanied by some great speeches to mark this significant milestone.
- County Cricket T20 – The weather was kind and Somerset won by six wickets – a great day was had by all!
- Office sunflower competition – We challenged each member of staff to grow a sunflower. Well done to our winners, Naomi, Charlie, and Kate.
- A friendly darts competition – We loved the fast-paced multiplayer games at the Flight Club cocktail bar. Congrats to Oli, the champion!
- A Christmas trip to Belfast – We visited the Titanic Museum and had a powerful insight into the city’s turbulent history on the Black Cabs Tour. It was a great way to build team morale and kick off the festive season.
Coming soon – changes to look forward to in the new year
As the Aspire Partnership continues to grow and develop, we need more experienced and talented people to help us achieve our goals. That’s why you’ll see at least some new starters join the team in January.
What’s more, we’re planning an exciting refurbishment of the Bristol meeting rooms to help both showcase the heritage of the building and improve your audiovisual experience, thanks to the wonderful Jason Skuse of Laservision Audio Visual Ltd. We look forward to welcoming you in the new year.
And that’s about all from us. Thank you for being a pleasure to work with in 2025. Have a relaxing festive season, and we look forward to seeing you in 2026.
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