Contributing to the community is as much a part of being a successful business as balance sheets and bulging client lists.
That’s the view of Utmost Wealth Solutions and the 200-plus staff working from its Douglas office.
Employees have raised money for charity and also got their hands dirty by helping out on numerous projects in the Isle of Man.
And it benefits everyone, not just the causes they have chosen.
Business Risk Manager Shaun Lewis said: ’By helping out in the community, it helps engender a great team spirit back in the office.’
’It’s great for colleagues to help each other out in non-work scenarios and, obviously, it is always a good feeling to support worthwhile causes and see the results.’
Utmost Wealth Solutions is the brand name of a number of Utmost companies, including Utmost Limited, an international wealth company in the island with more than 200 members of staff, providing flexible wealth management solutions to individual, corporate and trustee clients.
It works with fully regulated intermediaries and professional advisers to provide investment, estate planning and wealth transfer solutions through a range of award-winning life assurance and capital redemption bonds.
Utmost Wealth Solutions has a wealth of technical expertise to assist advisers in addressing the complex needs of their high and ultra-high net worth clients.
Shaun is Chairman of the Company’s Charity Committee that has overseen a number of donations and initiatives in the community.
Employees have helped out in a number of different areas of the community.
In terms of education, Utmost Wealth Solutions made a significant donation to Ramsey Grammar School to buy Lego for a therapy unit to help pupils with Asperger’s syndrome.
A Fruit for Schools scheme proved popular in the last educational year and is back in action this term, with St John’s and Andreas schools already visited.
As well as sponsoring the recent fun dog show at the Manx Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, staff got stuck in and helped clear an area of Ard Jerkyll ahead of the event.
In the world of sport, Utmost Wealth Solutions is the corporate partner of the Isle of Man Swimming Association and staff enjoyed watching and cheering for all the team at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year and continue to celebrate the swimmers’ achievements, including Isle of Man Sportswoman of the Year Charlotte Atkinson.
In the Utmost Wealth Solutions offices, the weekly charity collection has also raised much-needed funds for a number of other local causes including the Food Bank, Junior Achievement’s Great Wall of China trek, and Cruse Bereavement following a very well attended staff quiz.
Utmost Wealth Solutions has also sponsored the production of some of the signs at the Wildlife Park in Ballaugh, while the next staff event will see money raised for hyperbaric chamber.
Shaun said: ’The Charity Committee meets on a monthly basis and looks at the things we can do to help local charities and community groups.
Whenever we look at a charity that someone has suggested, we try to ensure that there is a local benefit.
Most of the suggestions have come from staff members. It could be a charity they have a connection with or it could be a cause they have read or heard about.’
He added: ’From our end, we get a great deal out of it, whether it is seeing how funds are used to help deserving causes or witnessing the results of our hands-on efforts in assisting with particular events.
It is very fulfilling to see how committed the team is to helping out in the community.’
The strong team spirit at Utmost Wealth Solutions has also crossed over into other activities, with two teams taking part in a rounders competition and being the sponsor as well as participants in a recent corporate badminton competition.
Shaun added: ’Business is not just about money, it is about contributing to the community. At Utmost Wealth Solutions, we are proud to do our bit and look forward to doing much more in the future.’