The Spectrum IFA Group opens an office in Limoux
By Derek Winsland
This article is published on: 27th June 2016
“Out with the old and in with the new”
No this is not a reference to Rob Hesketh departing the scene (which he isn’t, he remains a very important part of the Spectrum operation here in Limoux). Rather it relates to my decision, after 20 plus years at the coal-face of UK Financial Services, to sell up and move lock, stock and barrel to this beautiful part of France.
So far the move has gone well, apart from one or two hiccups that should be expected. But I’ve been grateful for the help and support I have been given by colleagues and the wider ex-pat community who have been generous in sharing their experiences of moving here and the pitfalls to avoid. It has also enabled my fiancée and I to bring forward our wedding plans and so we return to the UK to the beautiful City of Chester to tie the knot at the end of this month.
As both Sue and I have been married before, the more acerbic reader may observe that this is another case of “out with the old, in with the new”!
“Out with the old, in with the new” also refers to Spectrum’s decision to open an office here in Limoux. This is the first office Spectrum has formally established in rural France (up until now Rob and Daphne and all the other Spectrum IFA’s in the area have worked from their homes or other informal locations), so for the company to select this area for its first venture of this kind is testimony to the brilliant work both Rob and Daphne have done over many years. Both Rob and Daphne have now decided they’d like to ease down a bit, and this explains my introduction to this area.
It’s worth noting that The Spectrum IFA Group already have offices in major cities like Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Rome and now Limoux joins that illustrious list!
We’ve taken on an office manager, Jaime Donkin, who will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the office – the office is open Tuesday-Thursday 09.30-12.00 and 14.00-16.00 and Friday 09.30-16.00.
Limoux Friday Clinic
Another change is the introduction of a new service we are offering of a Friday Clinic. As you will no doubt know, Friday is market day here in Limoux, so I will be here to answer any questions you may have; you don’t need to make an appointment, just drop-in on any Friday morning and I’ll endeavour to assist. If you’re making a special journey, you can also ring in to the office and we’ll set aside a half hour appointment if you prefer, the office number is 04 68 31 14 10.
The choice of office location couldn’t be more appropriate either, situated as it is between the bank and the tax office! We like to think we offer an essential buffer between your money flowing out of your bank account and in to the taxman’s – to find out how, pay us a visit on any Friday morning or alternatively ring for an appointment, which could either be in our office or at your home.