Three years ago, Blue Sky Financial Planning became an Employee-Owned business – a decision rooted in legacy, values and a deep belief in shared success.
Since then, we’ve been on a journey of growth and evolution. Not just in the size of our team or the clients we serve, but in the way we structure ourselves, invest in our people and plan for the long-term future of this business.
As we mark our third anniversary as an EOT (Employee Ownership Trust), it feels like the perfect moment to reflect and to look ahead with confidence.
A business built for longevity
We know that for many of our clients, financial planning is deeply personal. It’s built on trust, continuity and knowing that the people supporting you are expertly qualified and will be with you every step of the way. That’s one of the reasons we became an employee-owned company. We wanted to protect what makes Blue Sky so special, and ensure that as we grew, we kept our client-first ethos at the heart of everything we do.
CEO and Founder Gary Neild explains:
“Becoming employee-owned wasn’t about stepping back, it was about stepping forward together. It’s about building a business that lasts – one where everyone feels a sense of ownership, responsibility, and pride in what we do for our clients.”
Growing stronger, together
In 2025, we’ve made huge strides in our internal operations. For the first time, we have an organisational structure that reflects the true strength and depth of our business, from senior leadership to client support.
We’ve also welcomed brilliant new people into the team, including Euan Baker-Milne, a talented Paraplanner, and Lucy Tuttle, a Senior Planner Support Administrator with 25 years’ experience in the industry.
Lucy shares:
“I’ve worked for a number of financial firms over the years, and I can honestly say Blue Sky is different. The professionalism is there, of course, but it’s the sense of care and purpose that really stands out. Everyone here wants to do right by the client, and by each other.”
We’ve also promoted from within. Johanna Payne-Knauf stepped into a newly created Operations Officer role, helping drive clarity and efficiency across the business. Her promotion is part of a wider focus on leadership development, including the formation of a dedicated Leadership Team.
Investing in our leadership
Gary is now mentoring each member of the Leadership Team individually, with tailored development plans and a structured training programme. The aim is to ensure the future of Blue Sky is in excellent hands, with a leadership group that shares the same values, vision and commitment to excellence that has shaped the company from day one.
When the time is right, Gary will transition into a Chairman role, continuing to support and guide the business, whilst still dealing with selected clients. But for now, he remains hands-on, working with clients and supporting the team as the business continues to grow.
As Managing Director, Lesley Keets, puts it:
“This is a business built on strong foundations. Our team is bigger than ever, more skilled than ever, and more aligned than ever. The trust we have in each other, and the trust our clients place in us, is what makes Blue Sky so special.”
A future full of confidence
Looking ahead, we remain focused on the same mission we’ve always had; helping people live the life they want, with confidence.
That’s why we do what we do. It’s why we take time to build meaningful relationships. And it’s why we continue to invest in the future of this business – so our clients always have a team they can rely on, no matter what the future brings for the individuals supporting them.
Blue Sky is not just surviving in a challenging financial landscape, we’re thriving. We are extremely proud of that and it’s testament to Gary’s initial vision of never being a business built on numbers. We’re built on purpose, people and the power of long-term thinking.
Here’s to the next chapter, and to everything we’ll continue to build, together.
