The week that was 21st December

Welcome back all , and welcome too to 2022 which will hopefully be a year when we get most of our former lives back.

The stats around Omicron appear to be improving and despite the devolved governments in Wales and Scotland playing political hardball on it, it does appear that things are slowly getting better. (… Our empathy goes out to all our colleagues in Swansea, Cardiff, Glasgow and Edinburgh whom we hope still rung in the New Year with some appropriate libations, hic!) .

Elsewhere this week the Duchess of Cambridge clocked up the Big 4-0 < my Gaffer is a huge fan and has pics of her on his desk now!!! 😊 >, Novak Djokavic was definitely not scoring any points on court, the marvellous Sidney Poitier sadly ended his innings at the age of 94; and yet another naughty party is making headlines! Ooooops Boris and Co! Morons. Their arrogance knows no bounds.

Over to our own headlines then from the final week of 2021 - Week 52 may typically be the smallest of the year in terms of case totals etc but it was your best Week 52 EVER!!! . (£11,196,090 of lending across 41 cases) , as you continued to confound us since some of you were clearly still keying cases whilst others were wolfing down turkey or getting on planes to sunnier climes taking a very well earned rest!

And there was perhaps no greater evidence of such multi-tasking capabilities than that offered by each of the two ladies above , Michelle Barraclough (does that woman ever stop amid mothering 2 kids and helping on Compliance matters too ?!) and Sarah Norman who each did 4 cases that week!

The boys offered some resistance with William T 's 3 cases but the ladies certainly stole the show , as justifiably did Emma Radacanu at the now totally out-dated and woke-dominated Sports Personality of the Year awards.

Nick Harris nailed yet another Large Loan Larry award for his £1,000,999 deal with Coventry/Godiva, edging out his Ironworks stable mate Phil Lyle in third place with £963,994 of lending across 2 cases.

2022 League Handicap Betting

The Directors up here have their annual away day session next week and a part of this sees them taking punts on who the stars of 2022 might be . Some of you may even be familiar with a pre footie season bet which sees all the teams handicapped in points terms. We don't often talk about Completions on here, but a shout-out to Mark Nathan, Berberry's No 2, who has had a tough time of it lately with the virus , as we know several of you have.

But his fortunes definitely weren't fading when he saw £36,000 worth of Hampshire Trust completions arrive last week which sees him setting an early lead for 2022 . Ergo , any broker looking to top him will need to be starting the season with a + 36k handicap! < apologies if I am losing you ladies !!! zzzzzzzz >

He'll be hopeful now of not going all Spursy and being caught by May 😊 😊! < & It’s the Norf Lundun derby this weekend I see …. >

Mark’s football team do also have one leg in the 5th round of the FA Cup , having been drawn away to Kiddie Harriers. A good start for the Samsonite Man .

On the lender side you completed the greatest number of cases this week jointly with NatWest and Santander, securing 4 cases each for £627,490 and £736,238 of lending respectively.

Protection – Week 52

Of the 8 protection deals completed this week, Chris Taylor had an astonishing week writing 6 of these!

In fact, looking at the 2021 overall KPI's (to be sent out shortly too) it's clear that Chris is now one of the most rounded and versatile brokers in the business ..... clearly having lots of young children tearing around at home is bringing out the best in him! 😊

On the provider side this week you completed 4 deals each with LV and Zurich.

Birthday’s and other Parish Notices

Many Happy returns to Emma Sibley who will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow, hopefully getting suitably spoilt by Tom!

Management Notices

Just a couple this week.

1. Please look out for an important note from Chris Batson coming, pertaining to what's needed by all in 2022.

2. Congratulations to one Mr Rhys Forrest on his swanky new offices as shown below. He really is on fire!

Have a great week all, and the Mgmt. team looks forward to seeing many of you in the 2 weeks ahead.

Do try to be on time for any Broker meetings or F2F visits.

Kerry.