In 2000, Britney Spears was topping the charts with Oops! … I Did It Again, the Nokia 3310 was the ultimate status symbol, and the world could finally stop worrying about the Millennium Bug … that never materialised! Months of anxiety about planes falling out of the sky and microwaves forming violent mobs, turned out to be a damp squib.
The millennium was also the year that C&A, the beloved high street store (in Middlesbrough) known for its affordable fashion and the proverbial ‘sea of beige’, announced it was closing its doors.
But as one door closes, another opens, as they say! Just a few miles away in Guisborough, a very different kind of venture was quietly beginning. That same year, Active Financial Services was founded by Glyn Pemberton, who turned the closure of The Allied Group, where he was a director, into an opportunity. Glyn was hard at work building what would go on to become one of the North East’s leading financial planning firms.
Active Financial Services quickly gained a reputation for trusted advice and putting its clients first. Over the years, the business has grown significantly, evolving into Active Chartered Financial Planners of today. While floppy disks made room for cloud computing and people stopped “asking Jeeves” for advice, the firm continued to grow, helping clients make the most of their financial futures through decades of change.
Fast forward to today, and Active Chartered Financial Planners is celebrating its 25th anniversary. It’s no longer just about the vision of one man but the dedication of a talented team. In 2004, Glyn suffered a serious health scare, following which, Karl Pemberton (Glyn’s son) joined the firm in 2007 and became managing director in 2013. He was followed by Paul Gibson, who joined in 2009. Together, they have played a key role in shaping the company’s success while staying true to the values Glyn established all those years ago. They have steered the business through its move to (new offices in) Thornaby in 2012; obtaining chartered firm status in 2013; growing from four to sixteen advisers and from 400 to more than 2,700 clients!
Reflecting on the milestone, Karl said, “25 years is an incredible achievement for the business, but it’s also a celebration of the people who have been part of the journey. While so much has changed since 2000, what hasn’t changed is our commitment to providing trusted, ethical advice to our clients.”
And let’s be honest, a lot has changed since 2000. Back then, Saturday nights meant a trip to Blockbuster, David Beckham and Posh Spice were still newlyweds, and the Millennium Dome wasn’t sure what it wanted to be when it grew up. But one thing that has remained constant is Active’s focus on helping its clients navigate life’s big financial decisions, no matter what the world throws their way.
From its early days in Guisborough to becoming one of the most respected financial planning firms in the North East, Active’s journey is built on hard work, community spirit and a belief in always putting clients first.
This isn’t the only trip down memory lane we’re going to be taking in our anniversary year – keep your eyes peeled for more nostalgia – coming to a blog near you!
Want to know more about Active? Contact the team on 01642 765957 or email info@activefp.co.uk OR visit the Active website
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