Just a short post, and a touch self-indulgent (or more so than usual), if you’ll forgive.

A year ago today I cut the cord with the mighty Standard Life, put my pass, phone, laptop and other bits and bobs in a locked drawer and went out the twirly doors for the last time.

It’s been a remarkable 12 months. From setting up the lang cat business, to the birth of the lang kitten v2.0 (he’s fine and expanding rapidly, by the way) to finding out the reason I’ve been hobbling around is arthritis, it’s never been less than full on, and with the exception of the last item on that list, it’s never been less than brilliant.

And what’s made it has been the warmth and support of people in the industry, from providers to IFAs to other independent consultants, who have been generous with their time and passed on their wisdom. The roll call of honour is long, but you know who you are and many thanks to you all. Thanks to my clients, who’ve placed their faith in an untried business. And thanks too to my amazing family, who have borne the brunt of a grumpy cat from time to time and never once given me the wedgie I so richly deserve.

Like the lang kitten, the lang cat is planning to grow and we’ll be adding new services very soon. It’s a fascinating time in the industry, and I can’t think of a better time to be part of it.

Cheers, skol, merci, takk, asante sana. Alla you. Here’s to the next 12 months.

Mark