Exmouth Chamber of Commerce chairman Laura Woodward-Drake write for the Journal

Ian Crook of Ian Crook Wealth Management has been an active Chamber network member for many years now and so I was excited to catch up with him for a virtual coffee and hear about his brilliant company news.

Since starting the company 10 years ago, Ian has done a fantastic job of growing his financial advisory services to become a core part of the town’s professional services offerings. From supporting locals with retirement plans, investment opportunities and financial education, Ian has used his 25 years of experience to support many with their money management.

Previously based on Rolle Street, Ian mentioned that he’s loved having a central office in a great town, allowing clients to pop in with ease when in need of support.

As a locally born business owner, he wanted to give back to his community and has thoroughly enjoyed living and working in our beautiful seaside location.

Whilst I haven’t wanted to focus on the doom and gloom of 2020, I have acknowledged that it’s been a year of challenges for many businesses. However, ICWM’s next chapter is some of the good news I’ve been waiting to hear!

Due to a year of more hard work and excellent progress, Ian has merged forces with financial planner, Bill Roper, to create Avocet Wealth Partnership.

Exmouth Journal: Bill Roper, a financial planner, who has teamed up with Ian Crook to create Avocet Wealth PartnershipBill Roper, a financial planner, who has teamed up with Ian Crook to create Avocet Wealth Partnership (Image: Bill Roper)

Exmouth Journal: Avocet Wealth Partnership logoAvocet Wealth Partnership logo (Image: Avocet Wealth Partnership)

“Over the last 7 years with our town centre office we have realised how Clients and the public in general, value the ability to deal with a local, established Practice. However, Rolle Street was just too small to accommodate the growing business and now we have moved to The Parade and have 3 times as much space to welcome Clients in the new modernised premises.” - commented Ian

Exmouth Journal: Ian Crook, of Avocet Wealth Partnership, is a member of Exmouth Chamber of CommerceIan Crook, of Avocet Wealth Partnership, is a member of Exmouth Chamber of Commerce (Image: Ian Crook)

You may have seen the scaffolding up around the old Warren’s Bakery building on the Parade recently and this is due to the company also moving premises – I was fortunate enough to pop in before the current lockdown, to see the work they’ve done and was so impressed by the transformation of the place.

Bill added “Having been in the practice for over 2 years now the team have worked so hard to make sure we can continue to give our clients the best service during really challenging times – but I could not be more excited about our future.

"Our new identity symbolises what we want to achieve going forward in our town and beyond - and we can’t wait to see all our clients in 2021”

I loved seeing their ambition to develop a brand with local roots (Avocet being a migratory bird that visits the River Exe Estuary), aiming to support people across the UK with an amazing array of professional services.

Whilst their opening of the new office may not be as grand as they’d planned, I’m sure their new hub in the heart of town will become a feature piece for the business community in 2021.

It’s so great to see an Exmouth business grow and I for one are proud to have them in our network, showing that living and working in the South West can be full of opportunity and progress, giving hope to the new year once more.

For more information on the work of the chamber, visit https://www.exmouthchamber.co.uk/