EFG helping charities to maximise their resources

Financial adviser Simon Williams has joined the Birmingham and Wolverhampton offices of EFG Independent Financial Advisers as a specialist in financial planning for the charity sector.

His role will be to develop and communicate EFG’s strategic help for charities, not only on their investment strategies but also on key issues such as their banking relationships, use of short term reserves and developing contingency plans around key individuals and projects.

He said: “EFG’s new services to charities are aimed at helping trustees to maximise the efficiency of their organisations’ finances and investments at a time when many charities are facing challenging operating conditions.”

EFG IFA is planning a number of events during the remainder of 2014 in partnership with the Charity Trustees Investors Association (CTIA) that will enable charity trustees to keep up-to-date with best practice in relation to their finances and investments.

EFG IFA managing director John Male said: “Over the last few years traditional funding and grant funding from government has reduced. Yet during the same period demand for services that charities provide has increased.

“At the same time there is a high level of competition from charities competing for donations and legacies.

“Simon has joined to promote the benefits of consulting with an independent expert who can provide an unbiased view when reviewing financial planning and investment issues.”

Mr Williams was formerly with a Hagley financial services firm and has been advising a number of regional charities for several years. Aged 40, he lives in Shropshire.