Conferences that Care

English Mutual case history

The English Mutual Group began life as an independent financial practice based in Worcester. Since the 1990s, it has grown into an independent financial planning agency with offices across the West Midlands, South West, the North West, London and the South East. The Group has a reputation for visionary thinking alongside advisory and administrative excellence.

The core values of the company – including a fundamental commitment to employing the best people – meant that for 14 years English Mutual did not advertise job vacancies. The company went to great lengths to seek out directors, managers, administrators and Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) who shared the same commitment to excellence. What resulted was a “family” culture, consisting of people with great skills, a proven track record, empathy, decency – and a good sense of humour.

A striking aspect of English Mutual’s work is The Wealth of Happiness Foundation, which campaigns against poverty and financial hardship. Its activities include the annual English Mutual Lecture which is held in Worcester Cathedral, with such distinguished speakers as BBC journalist John Simpson, adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and politician Lord Paddy Ashdown.

English Mutual’s Director of Group Development, Giles Cross, is also Director of The Wealth of Happiness Foundation. It was Giles who was looking for a conference venue which would suit the national team – and Giles who first came to visit Cotswold Conference Centre with the Spring 2011 Conference in mind.

True to form, the English Mutual takes the needs of its conference delegates very seriously. Its IFAs network is spread across the country and Giles was determined to find a venue which all staff could reach in a day.

The central location and affordable price tag means that Cotswold Conference Centre is always worthy of consideration. But on arrival, the word location takes on a new meaning. The Centre is part of the 370-acre Farncombe Estate, with one of the best panoramic views in the country. It was the perfect setting for a conference which would leave English Mutual staff feeling refreshed and inspired.

Quality was also top of Giles’s agenda. The company had been disappointed in the past by inconsistent conference food and he was determined that his 45 or so delegates would be treated really well at lunchtime.

“We enjoyed an excellent day at Cotswold Conference Centre for our spring conference – and returned again in the summer,” says Giles. “We love the food, from the home-made biscuits to the excellent lunches. We also appreciate the personal touch from a dedicated team of conference staff. Technical problems get sorted out and there is a ‘can-do’ attitude which we recognise in our own organisation.

“English Mutual conferences are all-inclusive, from the MD to the furthest-flung member of the team. We know we can trust Cotswold Conference Centre to deliver excellent customer service in a location that manages to be both convenient and inspirational at the same time.”