A South Wales based Financial Planning firm set up by Chartered Financial Planner Julie Lord is to expand its business next year as the company celebrates its first birthday.

Magenta Financial Planning is also to launch a range of ‘toolkits’ next year to help customers with Financial Planning, as well as topical blogs and mentoring for women in the local business community.

The Bridgend-based firm began trading on 1 September 2016, and the company has been profitable in its first year ending March 2017 and has moved into new premises.

The company has also increased its staff numbers, with a new trainee joining the team. They will work towards becoming a CISI Accredited Paraplanner while studying at the University of South Wales and the news now means that Magenta Financial Planning has six employees on its books.

During the firms first year of trading, it has also been shortlisted in the Money Age Awards, MoneyFacts Life & Pension Awards and the Bridgend Business Forum Awards for Start-Up Business of the Year.

Julie Lord, chief executive of Magenta Financial Planning, said: “We’ve been really pleased with the feedback and support we have had from both new and happy existing clients with the move to Magenta. We are particularly happy with the positive reactions we have received in connection with our branding and work we have been putting into our social media and online presence.”

Gretchen Betts, managing director of Magenta Financial Planning, added: “We are delighted with how the first year has gone and very excited about the opportunities we see in Magenta’s future. Being shortlisted for various awards is a huge accolade to the hard work the entire team has put in this year.”

Magenta will be celebrating its first year with clients at several events to be held over the next few months in Cardiff and London.

Magenta’s plans for the next year include walking as a team for the Memory Walk for the Alzheimer’s Society in October.