Developments in Dedham: A Review of the Year

It’s been an eventful and rewarding year at Fiducia — a year marked by professional milestones, team growth, community impact and continued recognition from our clients. As we look back, we’re proud of the progress made and grateful for the support of our colleagues, clients, and local partners. Here’s a round-up of the key developments from across the business.

Chartering a Milestone

After five years of dedicated study, James Crisell has achieved the prestigious Chartered Financial Planner designation. Awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), it is widely recognised as the gold standard in the profession. Only a relatively small proportion of UK financial advisers reach Chartered status, placing James among an expert group known for technical excellence and the highest ethical standards. This milestone reflects both his personal dedication and Fiducia’s commitment to delivering industry-leading financial advice.

Rob Wood and Seb Eaton Appointed Associate Directors

We were delighted to announce that Rob Wood and Seb Eaton were both promoted to Associate Director. Rob and Seb consistently demonstrated strong leadership, deep professionalism and a client-first approach that embodied the Fiducia ethos. Their promotions strengthened our long-term leadership and reflected our commitment to developing talent from within the business.

Team Changes – Loren, Lucy & New Faces

We’re pleased to share that Loren has now begun her maternity leave as she prepares to welcome a baby girl — we send her our warmest wishes. Lucy will also be leaving Fiducia to pursue the next stage in her career. We thank her sincerely for the contribution she has made and wish her every success. To ensure continuity for our clients, we are delighted to welcome Kane and Thomas to the client support team. Both bring previous financial services experience and a strong enthusiasm for delivering excellent service. (We will introduce them properly in our next “Developments in Dedham” update.)

Supporting Our Local Community

This year, Fiducia raised an impressive £10,700 for our 2025 Charity of the Year — the Colchester Rotary Youth & Well-being Fund. The charity supports disadvantaged young people by helping cover essential educational expenses such as textbooks, equipment and transport so they can continue their studies without financial hardship. Funds were raised through a Professional Connections Football Tournament, the annual Fiducia Charity Challenge ( challenges included -welly wanging, space hopper relay and the ever-popular tug of war — this year the trophy was won by Knights), and a lively Quiz Night full of friendly rivalry (won by FJG Solicitors). Receiving the funds on behalf of Colchester Rotary, past Chairman Trevor Sayer commented “As a member of Colchester Rotary, I see first-hand how this fund changes young lives. The support from Fiducia and their clients has been overwhelming.”

Local Sponsorships and Wider Community Giving

Alongside our main charity commitment, we continue to support a range of local grassroots and personal causes, including:

• Dedham Old Boys Football Club – ongoing sponsorship supporting local sport
• Needham Market Pheonix U13s- ongoing sponsorship providing them with waterproof training kits
• Colchester Roller Hockey Club – providing sponsorship prizes to encourage young players
• Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation – supporters of the Christmas Stocking Appeal
• The Emi Ball Fund – attending events with guests and providing bidding prizes
• Local Bowls Clubs – assisting with small refurbishments
• St Joseph’s College, Ipswich – supporting student development
• Guinness World Record Padel Marathon – headline sponsor of the 33-hour record-breaking match, raising £7,423 for multiple charities

Cleaning Up Colchester – One Bag at a Time

Fiducia’s Managing Director, Gordon Kearney has launched a Professional Connections Litter Picking Group, bringing together local professionals to tackle litter across Colchester’s parks, paths and public spaces. “I’ve always hated seeing litter across our beautiful town. This is a simple, effective way to give back — and connect with professionals who care about the environment and our community.” — Gordon Kearney. The group meets bi-monthly and continues to grow.

Client Recognition and Community Support

We’re proud to report that Gordon, Rob and Susie have all maintained their 5-star client review ratings on VouchedFor, the UK’s leading review site for financial professionals. These ratings reflect the trust and satisfaction of the clients we work with every day — and they remain the feedback we value most.

Final Thoughts

From professional achievements and internal promotions to community fundraising, sponsorships and environmental initiatives, it has been a year of meaningful progress at Fiducia. We look forward to sharing further updates in the next edition of Developments in Dedham, including new team introductions and details of upcoming services.