This communication is to inform you of structural changes to Emery-Little Financial Services (ELFS) with effect from 1st January 2008. When I set up the Emery-Little Hemel Hempstead operation in October 1998, it was a new branch to my father’s Wiltshire business that had been established since 1971.

Taking into account the age profile of the Wiltshire partners, the expectation was that the new ELFS had approximately 5 years to establish itself before the Wiltshire partners would be looking to retire.

In reality my Dad, has the energy and enthusiasm of a much younger man and has continued the Wiltshire business much longer than anticipated. As you will almost certainly be aware, I was seriously ill approximately 3 years ago. I was very fortunate and was very soon recovering strongly and due to fantastic support within the ELFS team, there was minimal impact on the business additionally our clients were incredibly understanding and supportive.

Having said this, as I am sure you can imagine, it does make one reflect. Despite the fact that my Dad was showing no sign of retiring, a proactive approach was taken to increase the size of the Ebenezer Chapel operation, primarily to ensure that there was no vulnerability to clients if a partner was taken ill and was not as fortunate in their recovery as myself.

To cut a long story short, it has been a very lengthy process but we are delighted to formally announce that with effect from 1st January 2008, we are merging with a likeminded local IFA, Cresswell Cadenhead Limited.

After much creative thinking the new operation will be Emery Little Cresswell Cadenhead LLP! We appreciate that the full name is a mouthful and will be encouraging use of the acronym ELCC. A search of Google highlights, not surprisingly, that we may be the first Emery Little Cresswell Cadenhead but we are not the first ELCC. Please be sure not to confuse us with:

• Early Learning Computer Centre
• East London Christian Choir
• Essex Ladies Cricket Club or the
• Evergreen Lotus Car Club

Our ethos has always been to endeavour to build long term client relationships and as much as possible provide a holistic financial advisory service embracing virtually all areas of a financial plan going forward. At the same time, despite our best efforts, we are not perfect and will be striving to deliver an even better support for you going forward as ELCC.

If you have visited Ebenezer Chapel, you will be aware that we have always had the space to incorporate a larger operation and will now be making full use of the building.

As detailed in the covering email, early in the new year, we will be formally communicating with you from Emery Little Cresswell Cadenhead (ELCC) and introducing the new partners and support staff.

I am sure you have many tasks/chores to complete prior to the festive break so I will not witter on too long. Sufficient to say an enormous thank you for your support to Emery-Little in recent years.

We are all very excited about the future as Emery Little Cresswell Cadenhead (ELCC). We look forward to working with you for many years to come and I reiterate seasons greetings.

Regards
Andy Little