www.wealthandfinance-news.com Q3 2024 Featuring:
Welcome to the Q3 edition Wealth & Finance International magazine. As always, we endeavour to provide fund managers, alongside institutional and private investors with the very latest industry news in the traditional and alternative investment spheres. Despite previous events – such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressure – having caused unprecedented levels of market volatility, recent data is showing a shift towards increased stability. Market volatility is finally showing signs of slowing, with contributing factors including economic recovery, inflation control, and geopolitical stability, and this is encouraging for investors. However, that’s not to say that they don’t need to remain vigilant, as markets can change due to a number of factors, whether these are predictable or unforeseen. Investors must remain knowledgeable and adaptable so they can continue navigating this ever-changing financial landscape. In this quarter’s issue of Wealth & Finance magazine, we look at a selection of award-winning companies that continue to thrive no matter the challenges thrown their way. Rather, they create solutions with lasting and positive impacts on the investment and financial sectors. From a CFO and CPA services firm, to a health and benefits non-profit, to a fund management company, and more, we are celebrating the successes of the brightest pioneers of the industry. We hope you find this issue to be informative and insightful and that you have a prosperous quarter ahead. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for our Q4 issue. Rebecca Scotland, Editor AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. Editor’s Comment
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6. News: finova Broker CRM integrates with payment provider Cashflows 91% of FinTech leaders believe industry investment will return in the next 12 months, reports Silverflow 8. Nexxus Financial Resource Ventures: Best CFO & CPA Services Firm 2024 - California 10. Hazelwood School: Most Enriching Early Years & Prep School 2024 - South East England 11. GreenShield: Best Impact-Focused Health & Benefits Organization 2024 – Canada & Social Finance Innovators of the Year 2024 – Canada 12. Titanium Fund Management Company Ltd: Best Independent ESG Fund Management Company 2024 – Finland & Wealth & Finance Responsible Investing Excellence Award 2024 – Nordics 13. King Henry VIII School, Coventry: Co Educational School of the Year 2024 – Midlands 14. E-For-Excellence: Best Executive English Training School 2024 - Netherlands 15. Alma Mater International School: Best STEM- Focused Primary & Secondary School 2024 – South Africa & Holistic Education Excellence Award 2024 Contents
NEWS finova Broker CRM integrates with payment provider Cashflows finova Broker, formerly the eKeeper Group and part of finova, the UK’s largest cloud-based mortgage and savings provider, has announced its successful integration with Cashflows, the platform that makes it easier to accept payments digitally. This new feature allows mortgage brokers to seamlessly take payments for administration and processing fees directly within the finova Broker CRM or passed directly to the customer via an email link. Cashflows is a unique business that blends centuries of in-house payments experience, with end-to-end ownership of its tech stack and product proposition. This position, alongside an intelligent risk model to the sectors it operates in means it has grown rapidly as the payment provider of choice for the UK mortgage broker space. Cashflows is enabling brokers to accept payments digitally in real-time, provide a digital receipt direct to the customer, and is complemented with a simplified reconciliation and reporting portal. This integration further enhances the finova Broker CRM by embedding a card terminal within the system, enabling brokers to accept payments safely and securely without storing card data. Transactions are processed directly through Cashflows, eliminating the need for brokers to manually handle card details. Matt Harrison, Commercial Director for finova Broker, comments: “We’re delighted to expand the CRM’s capabilities to include direct payment processing with a secure and efficient payment solution that integrates seamlessly into their workflow, something a growing number of customers have requested. “Being able to accept payments directly within a customer’s case or by sending out via email reduces the administrative burden with payment updates and ensures that payment updates are automatically reflected in the CRM. “This enhancement is just one of many ways that we’re ensuring that our technology continues to deliver excellent broker outcomes.” Paul Clarke, Chief of Growth at Cashflows, adds: “We pride ourselves on enabling business by making payments simple. We do this by truly understanding businesses across all sectors, simplifying how they take payments, and enabling them to evolve. With finova Broker, we’d already understood the needs of the mortgage and protection market, so were best placed with our in-house expertise enable them to register and start receiving payments in days rather than weeks. This partnership has allowed us to extend that experience through the CRM delivering a safe and secure transaction that brings piece of mind to both the end customer and business.”
NEWS 91% of FinTech leaders believe industry investment will return in the next 12 months, reports Silverflow • After a massive drop in investment in the industry over the last few years, a survey of leading FinTech professionals shows huge confidence in where the industry is headed. • The findings report that AI, Instant Payments, and Open Banking are the biggest payments trends for the next 12 months. • While nearly 40% of fintech leaders confirm costs are a major challenge for payment processing. Amsterdam, NL – 8 August, 2024: Silverflow, a leading cloud platform for global card processing, has today released findings from a survey of fintech leaders that reports 91% of them believe that fintech investment will grow again next year. The survey was completed at Money 20/20 Europe in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in June 2024 and respondents included market-leading companies such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Adyen, Worldpay, Barclays and Lloyds Bank Group, as well as numerous smaller, start-up and scale-up companies showing incredible optimism about the future of the industry. Fintech Investment is returning FinTech investment grew explosively in the late 2010s, more than doubling between 2017 and 2018 to $148bn USD. It reached as high as $225bn USD in 2021 after a significant drop during the pandemic, but continued to do well until 2023 when investment fell to $113bn USD, a 42% decline on the previous year. The reason for this has largely been attributed to a rise in interest rates making borrowing more costly – the era of ‘cheap money’ is over. The decline was mirrored in a lacklustre year for startup funding in general, with smaller companies across all sectors receiving less funding than they had in the past five years. Although interest rates are still high, it looks as though the industry itself believes that things are turning around, as Robert Kraal, Co-founder and CBDO, Silverflow, commented: “This seems to be because investors are adjusting their strategy from investing in large numbers of companies in the hope or expectation, that some will become ‘unicorns’ to finding a smaller number of companies who are likely to turn a sustainable profit rather than chase infinite growth.” He added: “This was our experience at Silverflow when we secured €15 Million investment in 2023 at the height of the FinTech downturn. This came on the strength of our solution, overall proposititon and the experience of our management team. Our investors saw the value we provide to our customers and how we continue to operate as a profitable business.” AI: the key trend but not the full story The survey findings also addressed major trends for the industry in the coming year: instant payments, open banking and artificial intelligence (AI). The last trend is easy to predict: AI has been a major story in the press for over a year now, largely because of the growth of OpenAI’s ChatGPT generative AI product. A recent report by Goldman Sachs cast doubt on whether this technology had the transformative potential that its evangelists suggest, but as Silverflow’s co-founder and CEO, Anne Willem de Vries, said: “In the FinTech space not only has AI and machine learning been used for decades, it has important applications in optimisation and anti-fraud operations. This is particularly true in the payments space, in which machine learning is used to identify fraudulent behaviour. For instant payments this becomes even more important as there is no possibility to correct the transaction after the fact.” Costs dominate the payment processing challenges The topics addressed in the findings explored the challenges that companies face, and here the results were unambiguous: high fees and associated costs are far and away the most common problem that companies face in the payments space, with 39% of respondents citing it. Lack of data and poor customer experience were relatively close, with 26% of the vote each, and other factors like difficulty to use and a lack of functionality came in far behind. Kraal added: “The survey results show an industry that has taken some blows but is far from out. Companies that solve real problems and do so in a way that is profitable are going to come to the fore, and it looks like the industry is recognizing that. The near future should be full of some very exciting companies, some of whom we have met, and we would like to count ourselves among their number.” To learn more, visit: https://www.silverflow.com/
8 | Wealth & Finance Q3 2024 Best CFO & CPA Services Firm 2024 - California As a certified public accountant and a registered business broker, Nexxus Proprietor Kaiden Degas, CPA is highly passionate about entrepreneurship, and it is his belief that the strength of the US’ economy stems from its small businesses and their owners that drives his work at Nexxus. With financial information serving as the very lifeblood of making informed business decisions, Nexxus’ speciality lies in its ability to faultlessly capture all of a business’ activity, spending or otherwise, through its leading-edge systems and processes. From providing tax preparation services for US citizens through to issuing 1099s and cleaning up existing books, Nexxus strives to deliver its comprehensive range of services in this sector in a way that is ethical, prizing transparency, honour, and competence at every turn. Explaining this further, Kaiden describes his firm as offering transparency when it comes to pricing, defining scope, and setting expectations; acting with honour by being responsible; and demonstrating its competence by leveraging education and skill. Adherence to these values is critical in the firm building trusted and lasting relationships, with securing repeat business being something that is becoming increasingly vital across the accounting space. Striving to maintain and develop its existing competencies as well as to constantly grow in the avenues in which it operates, Nexxus far exceeds the minimum requirements of its licences in CPA, real estate, and brokerage, possessing all of the relevant qualifications and certifications that see it serve as a beacon of trust and quality. When it comes to tax preparation, one of its primary areas of speciality, it is paramount for Nexxus to get things right the first time. Kaiden sums it up best, stating, “Clients want to come into the office, walk out with their tax returns, and not hear from the government.” To ensure that this is the case and that clients are spared of any anxiety, as well as saving the firm time and money, the highest standards are in place across this operation. Remaining reachable and responsive, Nexxus has dedicated staff at its disposal to make sure any issues are resolved. “Kaiden provides a world-class service for his clients, and I highly recommend Nexxus Financial as the one-stop shop for all of your accounting needs!” Defining the internal culture of his business as nurturing, one of Kaiden’s top priorities is training his employees. By investing a considerable amount of time into the development of its staff, the company continues to go from strength to strength. Nevertheless, Kaiden remains humble and encourages everyone across the business to do the same, maintaining the same high level of responsibility and unwavering client commitment that got it to this point to begin with. These areas continue to prove instrumental as the business seeks to evolve. Staying ahead of the curve and distinguished from its competitors is necessary in securing such growth, and Kaiden will see that this is achieved by offering operational excellence across his company’s suite of CFO and CPA services. Having to compete with big and small tax preparation firms alike, as well as with bookkeepers and small business accountants, Nexxus has created an enviable position for itself by carrying out both accountancy and tax work, which see it able to learn a lot about a client, including their circumstances and desires. Of course, since it also operates in a CFO setting, the firm is competing with other like-minded service providers, many of which are bigger companies and can thus offer more services, such as payroll or selling insurance and securities. Some of the more property-driven firms that Nexxus is up against may even offer residential real estate solutions. Each of these aforementioned fields are incredibly competitive in and of themselves, making choosing exactly where to operate of paramount importance for Kaiden in nurturing lasting success. “Kaiden is very responsive, has expert knowledge, and fair pricing. Not only that, but he was also able to find and fix several errors in my tax filings, resulting in refunds.” Moreover, since Nexxus has such an encompassing range of solutions at its disposal, it is able to collaborate with and support other firms, whether they operate in payroll, insurance, finance, or real estate. Kaiden comments, “We have many relationships with these sorts of professionals that we refer business in order to strengthen our bonds. These opportunities work well for us because our clientele is mostly small business owners and our services can be helpful to our core client base, allowing collaboration with other professionals.” Earlier this year, Nexxus took over management at another Milpitas practice, A Plus Tax Service, having acquired it back in 2021. This has not resulted in a breaking of focus in its own operation however, and having recently updated its systems, processes, and equipment, the rest of the year is set to be one of stability and security for the firm. Kaiden tells us more about what the next year looks like: “Over the rest of the year, we will largely be focusing on expanding our network with other professionals to grow our accounting practice. We will be finding businesses and commercial real estate owners that want to sell and marketing those businesses for them. Then, near the end of the year, we will bring together our seasonal team for next year to train and prepare for the next tax season. We will also be connecting with our existing clients to ask for feedback on their customer experience to see if we can improve for next year.” Apr24014 In essence, Milpitas’ Nexxus Financial Resource Ventures helps to expand, run, and sell businesses. With Kaiden Degas, CPA at the helm, the firm provides its clients with industry-leading tax strategy, planning, and preparation services, as well as offerings across the accounting, fiduciary, and commercial real estate spaces. Working with a diverse group of clients, the firm is being celebrated with this award for its remarkable CFO and CPA services in particular. We catch up with Kaiden to find out more.
Ultimately, by working with Nexxus, businesses are afforded an opportunity to traverse the complex financial landscape with the confidence that it takes to succeed. Celebrated in Wealth and Finance International for the third consecutive year, it is our pleasure to name Nexxus Financial Resource Ventures as the Best CFO & CPA Services Firm 2024 – California. We wish the firm the very best of luck for the future and invite anyone interested in its services to follow the link below and visit Kaiden’s calendar to book a 15-minute introductory session. Contact: Kaiden Degas, CPA Company: Nexxus Financial Resource Ventures Web Address: https://www.nexxusfinancialresourceventures.com/ Best CFO & CPA Services Firm 2024 - California
10 | Wealth & Finance Q3 2024 Most Enriching Early Years & Prep School 2024 - South East England Hazelwood School firmly believes in the capabilities of every child and is committed to realising their best selves. This means constantly seeking new ways of doing things. The school’s recent introduction of Flexible Classrooms is one example of this. Pupils have a variety of choices of how to sit in class: comfy seating with lap trays for individual iPad work, round tables perfect for collaborative brainstorming (complete with whiteboards to capture ideas visually), quiet zones with beanbags for those seeking sensory input, and designated areas for focused independent work or extra support from the teacher. This dynamic environment fosters deeper engagement. Interactive, hands-on lessons become the norm, motivating pupils to take ownership of their learning journey. The freedom to choose their learning environment sparks creativity and critical thinking. They explore different approaches, experiment with solutions, and gain valuable insights. The results have been impressive. One Year 6 pupil progressed from scoring 16/25 to 25/25 in his arithmetic. He would always rock on his chair or stand with one leg on his chair, and now he chooses to work at the standing desk with no problems. Also inspired by feedback from the school’s children, Hazelwood is extending its Electives Programme for its Year 7s and 8s, and so Friday afternoons will be devoted to the pursuit of a wide range of enrichment subjects such as forensic science, fashion design, food tech, debating, graphics, and life-saving – to name but a few. It’s a wonderful way to help them make connections across the curriculum and discover new passions. It has also just launched its fabulous new website which is a great source of information about all things Hazelwood. At Hazelwood, the aim is to do right by the young people in its care, to inspire them to enable them to keep abreast of the latest in education, to stay innovative. It is a down-to-earth school – in a lovely countryside setting – but it dreams big for its children. At Hazelwood, education is seen through a very modern lens whilst still paying heed to tradition. All its new initiatives are the result of extensive, in-depth research and it ensures it keeps up-to-date with educational advances to equip children for the future. Hazelwood views it as incredibly important to be ambitious for the children in this sector. Research shows that it can have a huge impact on their thinking and approach to learning at this age, which lasts a lifetime. Its students will need to be able to adapt to change and so it is teaching the skills now that will equip them to make the most of opportunities throughout their lives in an everchanging fast-paced world. It’s vital the school instils values of respect, critical thinking, and compassion, to help them become the positive changemakers needed in today’s society. This coupled with the rise of AI will increase the need for ‘human centred’ skills such as creativity, empathy, strong communication skills, and problemsolving – all of which will be vital alongside good exam results. The school also prides itself on its warm and nurturing environment and promotion of looking after one another and those in the wider community – Its children are global citizens. The school has implemented a comprehensive programme which involves the entire school community; wellbeing is woven throughout the fabric of school life. It holds dedicated Wellbeing Days when pupils and staff alike can choose from a variety of activities which promote mental health such as animal petting, Reiki massage, crafting, sports, board games, and plenty besides. It also has trained mental health first aiders to give pupils support when needed and also tools to manage their own wellbeing. An online Wellbeing Hub can be accessed by staff, parents, and pupils aged 10, and above all, is a fabulous resource full of tools, links, and signposts to experts. Hazelwood opened its Well Being Hub earlier this year, and this provides a haven for children needing some time out, to talk to a member of staff, or for valuable one-to-one learning to take place. This term, it celebrated ‘The Power of Me’ which encouraged children to identify and celebrate the uniqueness of everyone. Throughout the term, they had opportunities to showcase their particular strengths and dreams and champion those of one another. Hazelwood is a school that dreams to think big for its children, where every child is seen and heard. Open Morning, Friday 22nd November – book a place online or arrange a private tour by emailing [email protected] Company: Hazelwood School Website: www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk Hazelwood School (Hazelwood) is a coeducational nursery and prep school for children aged 9 months to 13 years, set among 25 acres of woodlands on the Surrey/Kent border. It is a school committed to introducing bold initiatives that will equip pupils with the human skills they need to succeed in tomorrow’s new world. Innovation is in Hazelwood School’s DNA, and it fearlessly explores new approaches to learning, pupil projects, teaching environments, and teaching methods to help unlock every pupil’s potential.
Apr24179 Best Impact-Focused Health & Benefits Organization 2024 – Canada & Social Finance Innovators of the Year 2024 – Canada GreenShield is the proud recipient of two awards within the Ethical Finance Awards 2024, and Mandy Mail, Executive Vice President, Head of GreenShield Cares, has been pivotal in scaling the company’s social impact efforts. She joins us to share how the business is implementing forward-thinking strategies to advance its social mission of ‘Better Health for All.’ Has social impact always been a core focus for GreenShield? Social impact has always served as much more than a means of giving for GreenShield. It’s embedded into our DNA. In 1957, our founder, William Wilkinson watched as a mother went without her own medication so that she could afford a prescription for her sick child. Knowing there had to be a better way, he established GreenShield as the first company in North America to offer a prepaid drug plan. To expand his impact, he set up the company as a non-profit from the onset, reinvesting excess earnings to support underserved Canadians. Nearly 70 years later, Wikinson’s original vision continues to guide our decisions. To advance our social mission, we’re now transforming to reinvent the health and benefits experience, as Canada’s first integrated payer-provider. We’re combining GreenShield’s long history of offering insurance, administering benefits, and paying claims as a ‘provider’, with digitalfirst health services such as mental health, pharmacy, telemedicine, and chronic disease management as a ‘provider.’ As we expand our service capabilities, in addition to reinvesting excess earnings, we now redeploy our services to support underserved Canadians. How have you maintained your commitment to your mission and the reinvestment of your earnings? We maintain our commitment to our social mission of ‘Better Health for All’ through an innovative and sustainable approach to social impact, which we refer to as our ‘Creating Shared Value’ (CSV) model. Through this model, we seamlessly and symbiotically integrate our social impact and business growth initiatives, so that each supports the other. Our CSV approach is multi-pronged. We leverage our innovation mindset to develop products and services that address the needs of equity-seeking groups. We also view societal issues through a social impact lens, which allows us to engage with stakeholders to inform policies and systemwide initiatives. Finally, we deploy our health services to support underserved communities and collaborate with community partners to scale access to culturally appropriate health services, to advance health equity nationally. In 2020, we set an ambitious goal to give back $75 million and positively impact one million lives by the end of 2025. We are well on track to achieve our goal, and the interconnectivity between purpose and performance is at the heart of our culture. How does GreenShield bring the CSV model to life? The first step in our CSV framework is to form meaningful partnerships with equity-seeking community organizations to fill the gaps in health equity. Our community partners help us understand the gaps, from an authentic and lived experience perspective. We use their knowledge to co-create culturally appropriate offerings tailored to the diverse needs of Canadians. Once proven, we scale the effective solutions and embed them into our GreenShield+ digital health platform to benefit all GreenShield clients and those they support. A recent example of culturally appropriate care is how we are bolstering our Women’s Mental Health program with culturally appropriate support for black women. Through a partnership with Black Mental Health Canada (BMHC), we co-created the QUEENS (Quest to Unite, Empower & Encourage Nubian Sisters) program to fill a gap in mental health care, providing black women tailored support and resources. The program is offered free of charge within our Women’s Mental Health Program, and will be incorporated into the broader GreenShield ecosystem, to benefit our clients and those they support. How does GreenShield track its social impact initiatives to ensure accountability to driving positive social change? The intersection of purpose and performance is integral to our success, and relies on a strong measurement framework. We measure the results of our social mission using our proprietary Impact Measurement Framework (IMF). The IMF allows us to understand the impact of our initiatives and investments based on social determinants of health, accessibility, and specific measurable outcomes. With our overarching goal to reinvest $75 million to positively impact at least one million Canadians by the end of 2025, we track the number of lives impacted (NLI). Last year alone, GreenShield grew our enterprise-wide impact investments to $11.3 million, positively impacting 200,000 lives across Canada. This brings cumulative totals to over $47 million invested and nearly 450,000 people positively impacted. GreenShield is creating a new blueprint for caring as a company. One that puts people at the centre of everything. What is one takeaway to leave our readers with? GreenShield believes that health care is a right, not a privilege. And we know we’re not alone. From the public sector to the private sector to other non-profit organizations, we are all working towards a common goal: to build a future where every Canadian can reach their full potential. It will take all of us to build the future we envision, and together we can harness our collective power to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Together, we can achieve Better Health for All. Pioneers for Change: GreenShield’s Journey to Becoming Canada’s Leading Non-Profit Social Enterprise
12 | Wealth & Finance Q3 2024 Best Independent ESG Fund Management Company 2024 – Finland & Wealth & Finance Responsible Investing Excellence Award 2024 – Nordics Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) should be a pivotal portion of finance as a whole. When it comes to investing, the more responsible the better. Titanium Fund Management Company, under Titanium Group’s wide umbrella, is fully licensed by the Financial Supervisory Authority for investment fund operations, and more, and is a magnificent choice for responsible investments. The group’s close-knit team of seasoned experts serve private and institutional customers with ESG responsible investing across all of Finland. Jarno Nurminen is responsible for portfolio management of the Titanium Dividend Growth ESG mutual fund, which emphasizes the lowest possible carbon footprint, while Joni Leskinen oversees the Titanium Emerging Markets Dividend Growth ESG mutual fund, which emphasizes more social responsibility in its analysis work. Joni is also responsible for ESG investment strategies of the Titanium Group. ‘Titanium Dividend Growth ESG’: This fund invests assets in shares of superior quality, expanding international dividend-paying companies which base the fund off long-term track records of sustainable business growth. Although this fund has a moderate risk, the longstanding history of the fund has seen much growth in earnings and dividends. ‘Titanium Emerging Markets Dividend Growth ESG’: For carefully selected investments in high-growth markets, this fund invests in sustainably operating companies with healthy balance sheets and a very high return of equity. Holdings are usually debt-free in both of these funds for emerging markets, as well as western markets. Both strategies operate with healthy balance sheets and very high return of equity. No matter what a client is looking for, there are great gains to be made from the expert guidance of Titanium. It’s obvious that responsibility and growth is at the forefront of the company’s operations and, with regards to these vital areas, its, Joni Leskinen shares, “If we look at the responsibility results themselves in relation to last year, we can be very satisfied. In terms of emerging markets, there were no violations against the respect for human rights and good working life practices of the UN and OECD in our target companies. Last year, the carbon footprint of our holdings was 75% lower than the average in emerging markets, and this difference corresponds to the carbon footprint of 63 Finnish households for the entire year.” Additionally, “Compared to last year, the emissions of the fund’s holdings decreased by 26% more than the average in emerging markets. The results of the Titanium Dividend Growth ESG fund, which focuses on western markets, were also excellent, as the carbon footprint of the target companies was 70% lower compared to the relevant target group. Furthermore, negative effects on diversity decreased by 10% more than in the comparison group,” says Joni. Looking toward the future, Titanium is set to grow even further and, with ESG responsibility in mind every step of the way, it will continue to make a difference to the world of funds. Titanium Fund Management Company was recently recognised in our Ethical Finance Awards 2024 as Best Independent ESG Fund Management Company 2024 – Finland & Wealth & Finance Responsible Investing Excellence Award 2024 – Nordics, and we’re looking forward to seeing how the company progresses. Contact: Joni Leskinen Company: Titanium Fund Management Company Ltd Apr24142 Titanium Group is an independent Finnish group which focuses entirely on investment, funds, asset management, and insurance mediation. If you’re looking for a reliable and responsible group, this is where Titanium Group comes in. With regards to subsidiary Titanium Fund Management Company, the group could not be prouder. Here we take a closer look at what it has to offer and what it has achieved thus far. Titanium Fund Management Company Ltd
13 | Wealth & Finance Q3 2024 May24760 Co-Educational School of the Year 2024 – Midlands King Henry VIII School is a school steeped in deep history, with a proven record of achieving academic excellence. One of the strongest schools in the region, academically, King Henry VIII School places a heavy focus on meeting each student’s individual needs. Following its title in the Private Education Awards 2024, we take a closer look at King Henry VIII School. Dating back to 1545, King Henry VIII School is a school of rich heritage, having been founded by John Hales as a condition to his purchase of former monastery lands around Coventry, set by King Henry VIII. Following two location changes, and many high-profile visits that included Queen Elizabeth I, King Henry VIII School has evolved and developed to become the leading educational institute in the region. Today, King Henry VIII School is an independent, co-educational day school that educates approximately 725 pupils ranging from the ages of 3 to 18 years old. The school has made a commitment to providing its students with a superb education that allows them to reach their full potential in their studies. When delivered correctly, education is a transformative journey that can well-equip a child for the rest of their lives. In order to lead rich and responsible lives, both as individuals and as members of society, King Henry VIII School recognises that children must first be supplied with the highest quality education possible. While King Henry VIII School may have a history rife with historical significance, the school prides itself on being forward-thinking and quick to adapt in the rapidly evolving educational industry. King Henry VIII School aims to create a safe, healthy environment in which students can thrive. To do this, the school promotes the pursuit of excellence among students, along with an enjoyment for study and discovery and the capacity to think and work both independently and with others. Students are expected to complete their studies at King Henry VIII School and leave with a sense of justice, respect, and responsibility, a concern for their community and environment, a developed sense of self and understanding of personal values. Excellent education is certainly achievable when set against the beautiful backdrop of King Henry VIII School. Named to be among the best in the Midlands, King Henry VIII School features fantastic facilities that inspire academic excellence in the hearts of all who enter, from the stunningly historic main school building on Warwick Road to the impressively modern science block and specialist Sixth Form Centre. All classrooms are well-equipped to facilitate high quality learning, and students are encouraged to pursue their talents across the school’s various top-tier centres. The Sports Centre, outdoor sports ground, swimming pool, and AstroTurf hockey pitches are perfect for the athletically inclined students. Students pursuing the arts can make use of 12 practice rooms and a recital room for music, either the main hall a dedicated studio to perform drama, or the four free-flowing rooms reserved for art classes. As expected, students at King Henry VIII School have seen marked success in their A level results, with grades that emulate the lofty teaching standards set by the school. Among the achievements are an incredible 23 offers to study Medicine at university for students, including two offers for Oxford. One student, Raunak, has been chosen by all four of the distinguished medical schools he had applied to, and has received further offers from Kings College London, Manchester, and UCL. These results are no surprise to King Henry VIII School, as the school encourages its students pursuing medicine through its aspirational but supportive culture, which has been labelled as the key to preparing pupils for the tough competition clouding their entry into medical school. Sixth formers who are planning on entering the medical field are provided with specialised guidance from King Henry VIII School, who also hosts a regional Sixth Form Medical Conference. With such remarkable results to boast, King Henry VIII School is certainly setting itself a reputation as a reliable route towards a career in medicine. These results follow an incredible 14 students with medical schools in their sights the year before, and undoubtedly precedes another year of monumental success to follow. King Henry VIII School is undeniably a leading co-educational school that devotes itself to uplifting its students and preparing them for the world through enhanced educational opportunities. Rich in both history and in its quality of education, King Henry VIII School has ended another remarkable year of academic achievement with the rightful recognition as the Co-Educational School of the Year 2024 – Midlands. Contact Details Contact: Ginny Lovell Company: King Henry VIII School, Coventry Web Address: https://kinghenrys.co.uk/
14 | Wealth & Finance Q3 2024 Best Executive English Training School 2024 - Netherlands E-For-Excellence was established in 2013, driven by 15 years of extensive experience and a passion for English language training. Initially starting with online courses and private tutoring, the school quickly evolved into a place where every professional can choose to improve their English skills in a manner that suits their preferences. Incorporating top-tier practices that can only be learned through dedicated training, E-For-Excellence offers its users unique training options that obtain the highest results in the shortest amount of time. “At E-For-Excellence, we aspire to have everyone speak and understand each other without miscommunication,” Elske tells us. “It remains an unspoken truth that the better your foreign language levels, the more people think of you.” The school believes that learning English is easy and enjoyable and is therefore accessible to all regardless of background. With over 26 years of collective experience, the team at E-For-Excellence have witnessed first-hand that everyone has the potential to reach a high level in learning English and has based its teaching material and approach on this principle. E-For-Excellence takes a ‘learning whilst doing’ approach, with the understanding that learning is most productive when not conducted behind a desk. The school offers English language tours that give clients the perfect opportunity to hone their English language skills in an authentic environment. “It is our ‘learning while doing’ approach that makes the big difference,” Elske tells us. The Private Three-Day Intensive Language Tour adds up to over 40 hours of training, in which fluency, grammar, and vocabulary are crucial components. Clients can address any learning challenges they may face with a change of scenery, new information, and outdoor activities that all contribute to a fully immersive and integrated learning experience. This private trip comes complete with luxurious four and five-star accommodations, fully managed travel itinerary and bookings, arranged flights, and all meals included. The Six-Day Small Group Tour is designed for professionals and executives in International Business or Education wanting to improve upon their language skills. The six-day trip will total 72 hours of training and allows clients to expand their professional network within a semi-private group setting. Cohesive groups are chosen to ensure mutual learning and support for all. This tour is accompanied by four and five-star accommodations, V.I.P. mini-bus transport with Wi-Fi, an all-inclusive package with meals and snacks provided, and private leisure time for clients to unwind after their enriching experience. E-For-Excellence also offers an Exclusive Six-Day Whiskey Tasting Experience that takes clients across Scotland. Here, participants will brush up on their English skills while visiting famous landmarks and eating Michelin star delicacies. The tour, which takes place from 25th to 30th October 2024, features six of Scotland’s most historic landmarks, four Michelin star dining experiences, two castle stays, two castle visits, a Charity Gala dinner, and numerous excursions to choose from. “Our esteemed Scotland tour is the gem in our offerings,” says Elske, “steeped with all forms of culture, this six-day immersive deep-dive into the best Scotland has to offer is our pride and joy.” The educational system is currently under a lot of pressure, which has made it difficult to structure systems that meet all learning styles. E-For-Excellence tailors all offerings to make learning feel effortless for its clients. In addition to the incredible tour offerings, E-For-Excellence also provides fully customisable, online training courses that can be built to suit each individual participant’s unique learning needs. Clients are assigned their own dedicated coach and afforded flexibility to schedule training sessions and homework in accordance with their own schedule. The online sessions are held one-to-two times a week, complemented by the client conducting independent studying at home, and are driven by Cambridge and Oxford material to ensure that the education remains at the highest level. From immersive tour experiences to flexible online learning, E-For-Excellence displays a clear understanding of what makes learning work. Since its inception, the school has been dedicated to spreading its enthusiasm for language, proving that absolutely anybody can learn English within the right environment. It is for this hard work and commitment that E-ForExcellence has been rightfully recognised as the Best Executive English Training School 2024 – Netherlands. Contact Details Contact: Elske van der Wal Company: E-For-Excellence Web Address: https://e-for-excellence.com/ Learning a new language is no easy feat; it requires dedication, motivation, and a commitment to ongoing learning. E-For-Excellence is an English language trainer based in the Netherlands, committed to offering exceptional private English language training services. Below, we look at the school’s story of success as we speak with Founder Elske van der Wal.
Jun24168 Best STEM-Focused Primary & Secondary School 2024 – South Africa & Holistic Education Excellence Award 2024 Our education sets the foundation on which we build the rest of our lives. It is crucial that children receive a high-quality education that will appropriately prepare them for adulthood, positively shaping their formative years. Below, we take a look at Alma Mater International School, a premier institution based in South Africa, with insights from Ann-louise Moir, Head of Admissions. Alma Mater International School is a top-class institution offering private education, from pre-primary through high school. With the goal of nurturing responsible, compassionate global citizens, the school opts to provide a holistic educational experience that balances academics, sports, and cultural activities. Located in Johannesburg, Alma Mater International School aims to prepare its students for success in their secondary and tertiary studies through focusing on STEM education, research projects, and fostering a passion for knowledge. Through the Cambridge International curriculum, which Alma Mater International School adopted in 1998, the school equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their academic pursuits and life beyond their studies. The education and development industry in South Africa currently faces several challenges, which include resource constraints and the demand for continuous adaptation to the latest technological advancements. Additional external factors, such as economic instability and policy changes also impact the sector’s landscape. Despite such obstacles, Alma Mater International School continues to flourish by adopting innovative teaching methods and forming strong community partnerships to stay ahead. By taking a proactive approach, the school maintains a frontrunning position as a leader in delivering quality education. “The ultimate vision of Alma Mater International School is to become a leading educational institution known for academic excellence and character development,” Ann-louise tells us. “To ensure everyone within the organisation upholds this vision, the school emphasises continuous professional development for staff, engagement with parents and the community, and a curriculum that promotes both intellectual and personal growth.” To maintain this vision, Alma Mater International School has developed a STEMfocused education system that promotes the future of what a dedicated focus on developing STEM skills in students can provide. This approach allows both the staff and students to excel as they strive for excellence with one goal in mind. With a specialised approach to education, the school offers its learners small class sizes, personalised learning and a variety of extracurricular activities. Its commitment to providing a well-rounded education, complete with a focus on STEM education and résumé- building activities, has earned Alma Mater International School the Holistic Education Excellence Award 2024. Such success is exactly what sets this school far apart from its competitors. Of course, a successful holistic education can only be provided by inspired staff who share the school’s vision for excellence. “Alma Mater International School inspires its staff through a culture of recognition and professional growth,” says Ann-louise. “Teachers are encouraged to participate in ongoing training programmes and are provided with opportunities to advance in their careers. This motivation is further bolstered by a supportive work environment that values collaboration and the well-being of each staff member. By fostering a positive and empowering atmosphere, teachers are motivated to deliver the best educational experience for each student.” Passionate teachers are a crucial aspect of delivering a high quality education that will successfully shape a student’s mind and appropriately equip them for the future . We are Teachers reports that 88% of people say that a teacher had a significant, positive impact on their life, attesting to the importance of an inspired, motivating teacher to a child’s life. Moving forward, Alma Mater International School has several exciting projects in the pipeline, all geared towards enhancing and expanding its offerings. The school will be expanding its STEM programmes , introducing new sports facilities, and increasing the integration of digital learning tools into its operations. Furthermore, the school is planning to strengthen its internship and community outreach to build stronger relationships with its community. Additionally, Alma Mater International School will be developing new partnerships with international educational institutions, a strategy that will enhance its global presence. With these innovative strategies in mind, it is evident that Alma Mater International School will continue to lead the education and development industry, paving the way for those to follow. Since its inception, the school has continually upheld its commitment to providing the highest quality education possible to its students, delivered in a masterful combination of STEM education, sports development, and cultural activities. It is for this excellent educational strategy that Alma Mater International School has been awarded the title of the Best STEM-Focused Primary and Secondary School 2024 – South Africa. Contact: Ann-louise Moir Company: Alma Mater International School Web Address: www.almamaterinternationalschool.co.za Alma Mater International School Left: James Moir (Director), Middle: Marinda Steyn (High School Principal), Right: Lynn Botes (Director)
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