Brancaster House shortlisted for Small Business of the Year at the EDP Business Awards

Brancaster House Financial Planning has been shortlisted for Small Business of the Year at the 2025 EDP Business Awards.

The awards celebrate businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and real impact within their industries and communities.

A Time of Growth, Change and Purpose

It’s been a transformational period for Brancaster House. Following a successful management buyout (MBO) led by Shane Julian and Nick Halls, the firm has entered a new era.

Taking ownership of a respected, long-established firm was both a privilege and a challenge. But the goal was clear from the start: to preserve the trust Brancaster House had built over the years, while modernising the way financial advice is delivered for today’s world.

The result? A complete repositioning of the brand around the message:

“We’re Here for Every Chapter.”

This simple idea has become the foundation for everything we do. It reframes financial advice around life stages: Starting Out, Raising a Family, Empty Nesters, and Winding Down, rather than products or services. It’s a client-first philosophy that recognises that money decisions are really life decisions.

Financial Advice, Reimagined

Under Shane and Nick’s leadership, Brancaster House has made bold strides in reshaping what financial planning looks like in practice.

Our mission – financial advice for all – means we’re determined to break down barriers that have traditionally kept good advice out of reach for many.

Here’s how that’s come to life:

• The Young Professionals Pack: We recognised that many early-career professionals, freelancers and small business owners were underserved by the traditional advice model. Our low-cost Young Professionals Pack offers regulated financial planning at around 20% of typical industry fees, giving this audience the confidence to invest in their futures early.

• Client-Centred Technology: We launched a digital client portal and mobile app, giving clients real-time access to their financial data, cashflow modelling, goal tracking, and secure communication with their adviser. Financial planning can now be interactive, visual and empowering.

• Ongoing Advice, Not One-Off Service: We’ve moved away from transactional advice and towards ongoing relationships. Clients receive regular reviews, proactive recommendations and holistic planning that evolves with them through every life chapter.

• Free Community Advice Clinics: Our partnership with Priscilla Bacon Hospice provides free financial advice sessions to families navigating life-limiting illness – ensuring compassion and clarity when it’s needed most.

Each of these innovations reflects the same commitment: to make financial planning transparent, relatable and human.

Delivering Results

Innovation is only meaningful when it drives real outcomes – for both clients and the business.

Since the management buyout 18 months ago, Brancaster House has achieved measurable growth and maintained exceptional consistency:

• Client assets under advice have increased by 20%.

• Client and staff retention sits at 100%, a rare feat through a major leadership transition.

• The team has grown to nine, each person aligned to a shared vision of innovation, trust and inclusion.

• We’ve expanded our presence through regular speaking engagements at FSB, BIPC and Norfolk Chamber of Commerce events, connecting with business owners earlier in their financial journeys.

These milestones underline what’s possible when a business balances modernisation with genuine care.

Leadership with Vision and Heart

Strong leadership has been the cornerstone of Brancaster House’s success story. At just 35, Shane Julian became one of the region’s youngest managing directors in the independent financial sector. Alongside Nick Halls, 42, the pair represent a new generation of advisers – forward-thinking, relationship-driven, and deeply invested in client outcomes.

Both directors continue to be hands-on in serving clients while driving strategic innovation. Shane personally manages over £45 million in client assets – half of the firm’s total – while Nick leads on partnerships, technology, and new service development.

Their leadership style blends professionalism with approachability, creating a culture where every client feels heard and every team member feels valued.

Internally, the team environment is collaborative and progressive. 100% staff retention post-MBO is a reflection of that – people want to be part of a business that’s growing with integrity and purpose.

Rooted in Norfolk, Built for the Future

While we’re proud of our growth, we’re equally proud of our roots. Norfolk is at the heart of everything we do.

From sponsoring Hethersett Athletic Juniors (where Shane’s nephew plays!) and Old Catton Tigers, to supporting Priscilla Bacon Hospice through fundraising and volunteering – our community commitments go far beyond business.

We believe that as an independent local firm, we have a responsibility to give back, inspire confidence, and help shape a financially resilient community for generations to come.

Looking Ahead

Being shortlisted for Small Business of the Year at the EDP Business Awards 2025 is more than an accolade – it’s validation that we’re on the right path. It recognises not only our business performance, but our values, leadership and contribution to Norfolk life.

As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, our focus remains the same:

• To make financial advice more accessible and inclusive.

• To continue embracing innovation that benefits real people.

• And to keep building lifelong partnerships with our clients and community.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To our clients – thank you for trusting us with your financial journeys. To our team – thank you for your commitment, energy and belief in our vision. And to our community – thank you for cheering us on as we continue to grow, evolve and give back.

We’re honoured to be finalists, and we can’t wait to celebrate alongside so many inspiring businesses at the EDP Business Awards later this month.

Whatever the outcome, this shortlisting is proof that with the right people, principles and purpose, small businesses really can make a big impact.