Is it me or have the Daffodils been a long time coming this year? Over the last week we’ve seen the very first signs of spring after a winter that felt like it would never end.

A bit of sunshine seems to put a smile on most faces, certainly mine as the first daffs appeared in my garden last week. This coming weekend we alter the clocks. Losing an hour of any weekend is hard, but driving home in daylight makes it all worth it.

So maybe it’s the spring in the air that’s bringing a few signs of optimism, I’m certainly detecting some. Before you all get carried away and tell me my optimism is misplaced I’m not kidding myself that the challenges are getting any easier, or that the markets are lending a helping hand, or that our customers are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. But there are signs fuelled by a little relief, a belief that ‘it will be a tough year, but not as quite as bad as last year’. 

With the spring in the air and a vague hint of optimism, hopefully comes a renewed energy. Energy to take things on and make a difference rather than accept them as our fate.

For me this renewed energy couldn’t come at a better time, because it feels like there are some big issues around that will impact the broker market, decisions to be made and issues resolved in the coming months that could have a profound effect on our industry. One such issue that brokers have raised with me is the issue of changes to fees and levies and how strongly you feel about the potential impact on your businesses and your customers. The debates on the subject bring lots of passion, challenges and concern. So what better time to channel this energy into a cause you genuinely believe in.

One thing I genuinely believe in is that whatever the issue, brokers in the UK should have a louder and united voice…..

You represent a huge proportion of UK businesses…..

You have built businesses of which you should be proud…..

You are entrepreneurs, braver than most of us who stick to the relative comfort of the corporate world….

…. so be bold and work together to make even greater use of your influence.

How did I get from daffodils and spring to one broker voice?! I’m not even sure on that one, there’s no telling how my mind works.

What I do know is that over the last 4 years I’ve grown to share your passion and belief in the broker world, and what better time to make the most of that passion than when spring is in the air.

Lots of love

Jd