A Financial Planning firm has taken advantage of the loosening of lockdown rules to hold its half yearly away-day staff meeting in a garden.

CISI Accredited Financial Planning firm Jane Smith Financial Planning of Olney, Bucks, decided to use the greater flexibility to hold its half yearly staff meeting in a garden, ending it with an afternoon tea.

Every six months staff take a day out of the office to get away from the office routine and look at new ideas, prioritising and planning. 

The recent staff meeting had been planned for six months and the Financial Planning firm originally planned to do it via an online Zoom video meeting. However after the recent slight easing of lockdown rules the firm decided it would be good for staff to see each other face to face for the first time in nearly 3 months and would be more effective for a long meeting.

During the lockdown most staff have been working remotely.

The format of the day was changed slightly but gave staff time to focus on new documents, branding requirements and changes in processes as the firm prepared to roll out the new client portal – the Jane Smith FP Hub.

The day was finished off with an afternoon tea, delivered to the garden.

The away day was a big success, the firm said, and the only downside was the unreliable British weather turning a bit chillier.

Nicola Watts said: “Despite it being a little chilly and having to contend with several deliveries mid-session, the day was a huge success – a valuable opportunity to get stuff done.”