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100 new jobs to follow financial planning firm's Sunderland relocation

Financial planning firm Choice Future Planning has announced it will create 104 new jobs after relocating its headquarters to Sunderland.

Relocating from Shildon in County Durham to Sunderland’s West Quay Business Village, the company is hoping to fill all positions by April next year although believes that it will more than double its workforce by the end of 2016.

Sunderland City Council supported the business, which provides financial products for the over 50s, to locate the new premises. A £400k grant from the Let’s Grow Regional Growth Fund will support Choice Future Planning’s job creation plans.

The firm added 20 new staff in January, bringing its headcount to 53, and it aims to take on a further 20 people in April and 20 in September. Between January and April next year, it plans to create 40 more jobs.

Director Adrian Holland said: “We specialise in later life planning – financial planning for people who are 50-plus. This is a large part of the population who have some very specific financial challenges.

“We are expanding and need more good customer relationship managers. These are premium, well paid careers that offer a good salary and structured progression. We also offer a pension scheme, free gym membership and discounts with retailers. We really want to look after our staff.”

Choice Future Planning was established in 2014 as spin-off from Adrian Holland’s financial services business Kudos Wealth Management, which has been operating in pensions and mortgages since 1992. Choice started in offices in Shildon but moved its headquarters to Sunderland in January last year.

Adrian continued: “We really needed somewhere larger and more central. Sunderland has a great workforce and a good transport infrastructure.

“We received great support from the City Council. The business investment team were excellent. They worked really hard with us to find the right premises and assisted in negotiating the move.”

Councillor Harry Trueman, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted that Choice Future Planning is bringing new jobs to the city and are pleased to have played a part in the company’s expansion by helping it to find the base for its future growth.