HMRC report details French QROPS

This week we put the Spotlight On…Rosemary Sheppard who is a Blacktower International Financial Adviser in France, based in the Dordogne.

Rosemary’s career in the financial services sector began in 2008 when she signed up for what she initially imagined would be a “regular 9 to 5 job” at a bank. However, in the wake of that year’s global banking crisis, Rosemary re-evaluated her professional priorities and realised that the best way she could help clients in the difficult financial climate of the time would be to climb the career ladder to a position of influence. She was further excited by working under a new set of regulations that would offer clients an unprecedented level of extra protections.

Global markets have now risen steadily across the board as the volatility spike following Britain’s surprise decision to leave the EU died down and investors realised that, although unexpected, the uncertainty of the terms of Britain’s future relationship with the EU need not undermine equity markets. As for the FTSE 100, it is now 5% above where it closed on 22nd June, though 6% down in terms of dollar value (£ is 12% lower against the dollar) and the FTSE 250 is only 3% below where it was on the same day. The FTSE 250 is a far better barometer of UK economic activity than FTSE 100 and many of the stocks that were hit hardest such as the house builders Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt made substantial gains as the new May government started to restore some stability.