Local Life - Wigan - September 2021

64
Bouncing Back
Local Life recently caught up with David
Barton, Chief Executive Officer of Prosper
Wealth Management in Standish to ask
him about how the Covid pandemic
affected his business.
David, talk us through those first
few weeks when Covid hit;
“We secured new investment to grow
the business in January 2020, and
within a few weeks of that happening,
we were forced to close the doors and
rethink our working practices.
“Despite the early challenges from
a tech perspective of engaging with
new and existing clients via Zoom etc, and setting our
staff up to work from home, we did manage to operate
reasonably efficiently, and everyone did a fantastic job of
adapting to the challenges”.
And how has it changed since restrictions have
eased?
“It’s been great welcoming staff and customers back
through the doors, and I can honestly say that it’s been
a real tonic hearing laughter and general office banter
around the place.
“There are customers who are still shielding and others
who are understandably nervous about being out
and about, so it’s handy that many people have now
experienced communicating via Zoom etc, because we
can offer video conferencing and a telephone service for
those clients”.
Did Covid impact on your staffing levels?
“We actually managed to take on two new administrative
staff in February/March of 2020 at the height of the crisis,
and although it was very difficult to bed them in, they
adapted to their new roles well and are now valuable
members of the team.
“More recently, we have strengthened our advisory team
within the last couple of weeks with the appointment of
David Wilson (pictured with David Barton above) who had
previously worked for Standard Life in a senior role for the
last 20 years.
“I was delighted when David agreed
to join us - his skill set will be hugely
beneficial to the team and will enable
us to broaden our advisory capacity”
How has the pandemic affected
your plans to expand Prosper
Wealth Management?
“As you can imagine, talking with
business owners has been difficult over
the past 16 months or so, but despite
that, we have recently completed the
purchase of another North-West based
wealth management business which
will be integrated into the Prosper Wealth Management
Group, bringing our total funds under management to
just over £435 million.
“We are currently talking to other IFA’s, and I would
anticipate that our growth will accelerate towards our
objectives of achieving £1 billion under management
within the next three years as restrictions continue to lift”.
And finally, what are your wishes for the coming 12
months?
“My real hope is that everyone can start to live their lives
again without the constant Covid shadow hanging over
them.
“The travel and hospitality sectors in particular have had
a torrid time, and the sooner these sectors can start to
function again properly, the sooner the smiles will appear
on people’s faces and we can start to enjoy life again.”
David Barton
APFS Cert CII (MP)
Chief Executive Officer
If you would like more
information, please feel free to
get in touch on 01257 423800.
Remember all investments can fall as well as rise in value so investors could get back less than they invest.