As we enter 2026, we wanted to contact you to update you on the last 12 months at Lakeside. It’s been another strong year for investment returns, but research shows that investment growth is only part of the story when it comes to the value provided by a Financial Adviser - so we have been working hard on all areas of the business to improve our service to you.

Communication

We believe that good communication is at the heart of good advice; in 2025, we’ve continued to keep you updated, but responded to feedback by reducing the number of emails we send. Here’s a snapshot of how we’ve kept you informed this year:

  • Annual Review Questionnaire
    To keep track of changes to your circumstances and respond as needed.
  • Mid-Year File Check
    To make sure that your details are correct, and your planning is running as it should.
  • Portfolio Fact Sheet Updates
    To keep you informed about changes to the portfolios. These also include risk definitions so that you can check your portfolio still matches your investment risk appetite.
  • Portfolio Commentaries
    So that you can read or watch videos about the Investment Committee Meetings we have attended to discuss portfolio management.
  • Newsletters
    To provide commentary and financial coaching as well as to inform you of relevant financial matters.
  • Tax Year-End Reminders
    To help you maximise your tax efficiency.
  • Monthly Emails
    To provide you information, news and video information about areas of financial planning you should consider contacting us about, as well as other resources such as staying safe online and fraud prevention.
  • Webinars
    Rather than regularly scheduled webinars, we arrange them in response to a specific area we feel warrants additional communication with clients.
    This year, we held one webinar in response to the market volatility following the tariff announcements in the USA.
  • Ad Hoc Communications
    Throughout the year, we have sent relevant emails and updates to clients when we have thought it beneficial.

Investment Management

Our sister company LP10 Ltd.’s investment management approach is dynamic and disciplined, designed to align your planning with your financial goals and risk preferences. Below are the key actions we've taken to navigate the complexities of this year's investment landscape:

  • Ongoing Investment Committee Meetings
    We represent you at the quarterly investment committee meetings to relay client needs and feedback, which help inform the investment committee's decisions.
  • Quarterly Asset Allocation Adjustments
    Following these meetings, our investment managers, LP10 Ltd, have made necessary changes each quarter, keeping your portfolio in line with your attitude to risk.
  • Housekeeping Emails
    To help clients maximise their tax efficiency and keep on top of routine financial management.

Enhancing Our Proposition

As we continue to grow and refine our services, we are proud to introduce enhancements that add substantial value to your experience with us. These strategic improvements have been carefully implemented to improve an already market-leading proposition further:

  • Back Office System
    Throughout 2025, we’ve continued to roll out our new Back Office system. As with all IT rollouts, this has been a challenge internally. However, the new system brings significant improvements, helping us manage advice and transactions more smoothly and ensuring we continue to keep your data secure. We hope to complete the roll out in 2026 but will then have a flexible platform on which to offer ongoing improvements to our processes and service.
  • Advice Teams
    As the business grows, it’s important to us that our service continues to reflect our values as a family business. In 2025 we have introduced advice teams to provide more continuity to clients. We are receiving great feedback on this new approach and expect you will see continued service improvements in 2026.

Portfolio Enhancements

In 2025, thanks to a new agreement with our platform technology partner, we’ve achieved something UK investment managers have been working on for years: fractional ETF trading with no added cost to you.

This means we can now build even better portfolios on our LP10 platform using ETFs (exchangetraded funds), giving us more precise control of your investments, at a lower cost and without you having to pay trading fees.

Most financial advice firms and investment managers in the UK have been trying to offer fractional ETF trading without passing on trading charges to clients, but until now, it hasn’t been possible. We’re proud to say that, to the best of our knowledge, Lakeside are the first to achieve this thanks to a new integration with our platform provider.

Moving forward into 2026 this gives us more control over how portfolios are built and means you can benefit from low-cost, flexible ETF-based investments without you paying any trading costs.

To make these new portfolios available to as many clients as possible, we have also now made an offer to move all our clients with Wealthtime plans to LP10 to reduce thier costs and gain access to more effectively managed portfolios.

Summary

2025 has been a fantastic year for Lakeside clients, who will be delighted to have seen another year of significant rises in the value of our portfolios. Behind the scenes, we have been working to evaluate and improve the services we offer, and we believe that in 2026, you will continue to see the effects of the changes we have implemented.

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance with any area of financial planning, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

As we enter 2026, I want to thank you for continuing to place your trust in our Lakeside team.

Finally, all at Lakeside wish you a Happy New Year!
Kind Regards,
Matthew Hibbert

First published on January 12th, 2026
Last updated on January 20th, 2026

The information provided above is believed to be correct at the time of publication and is provided for information purposes only, it does not constitute advice. Any reference to interest rates or growth rates are examples only and are for illustrative purposes only. You should seek independent financial advice before making any decisions about your finances and financial products. We accept no liability for loss as a result of any action taken based on the information on this page where appropriate independent financial advice is not taken from Lakeside FS Ltd.