In 2010, Allan and his wife Chris began working with FPC. Their initial aim was reassurance about the family’s financial security following a successful business exit, along with guidance on investments. Tragically, Chris passed away in 2016, leading Allan to seek help creating a philanthropic legacy in her name. This effort culminated in the establishment of the Christal Foundation, which has since become a beacon of community support in Burnley.
Allan recalls: “FPC was recommended by a close friend and fellow business owner. My first impressions were that they were much more than I imagined financial advisers would be. There was no hard sell –just genuine interest in understanding Chris, me, and our family background.
“An accountant by trade, I entered business ownership later in life following a period working in Russia. With two business partners, we established a travel agency in Moscow in the 1980s, facilitating travel in an era when it was particularly challenging. Over 30 years, the business grew into business travel and training employing over 600 people across 17 centres in West and South Yorkshire. After exiting the business, my attention shifted to safeguarding our family’s financial security and, later, building a legacy for Chris.
There was no hard sell –just genuine interest in understanding Chris, me, and our family background.
“Right from our first meeting with FPC, Chris and I felt like part of the family. Their advice on trust planning proved vital following Chris’s passing, resulting in substantial tax savings. Yet the most significant outcome was their support in helping me establish a philanthropic legacy in her memory.
“FPC introduced me to the Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside. Through this partnership, on the first anniversary of Chris’s passing the Christal Foundation was established, an endowment fund dedicated to supporting community groups in Burnley where Chris and I were born and first met in 1966. Our children are actively involved in decision-making, ensuring the foundation remains a family endeavour.
“The foundation’s purpose is to address gaps in community support and provide seed funding for initiatives that might otherwise struggle to get off the ground. A five-year review of the Christal Foundation’s progress highlights the significant impact it has made so far:
“Indeed, the Christal Foundation’s grants have fostered many fantastic transformations. For example, over the past few years it has provided several grants to support the Burnley Boys & Girls Club, which helps young people improve their mental and physical wellbeing, that saw it then attract more funding and evolve into a thriving success.
“Meanwhile, a grant to the TEAM RISE Project provided accessible events for individuals with autism and learning disabilities. This initiative enabled a young man named Reece to develop financial skills as part of the organising committee. Reece later secured a paid role at a local venue, illustrating how the foundation’s support can open doors to lasting opportunities.
“Another notable story involved a 16-year-old girl who, through a funded program, recognised she was in an abusive relationship. With the program’s support, she gained the strength to leave, report the abuse, and rebuild her life. She later shared, “You literally saved my life and opened my eyes to how wrong my ex was.”
“Had Chris not passed, I may not have pursued this. Yet creating a foundation in her name has been a wonderful project, providing a way to honour her life and positively impact others for years to come.”
FPC Managing Partner, Moira O’Shaughnessy shares: “As financial advisers, we often step in to help clients during pivotal life moments. Helping Allan create the Christal Foundation was a privilege for our team. The foundation’s work has not only supported countless lives in Burnley but also inspired other clients and partner firms to actively engage in philanthropy.
“The Christal Foundation exemplifies how expert financial planning, combined with a compassionate approach, can turn personal loss into a legacy of hope and empowerment. Allan’s story is a testament to resilience, love, and the profound impact of giving back.”
