This year our Managing Partner, Moira O’Shaughnessy, was named ‘Business Person of the Year’ at the Merseyside Independent Business Awards, founded by Morecrofts LLP to celebrate independent businesses, their owners, and those who support them.
Established for more than 40 years and with a raft of long serving, happy clients, FPC’s success is in part an absolute testament to Moira who joined the firm in 1987. Her drive, ethics, and commitment to the company’s team and clients, as well as the professional and local communities in which it operates, run through its culture, and help make it the ongoing success it is today.
Social conscience is at the heart of the culture of FPC. That culture is driven from the top and Moira’s empathy towards those who are disadvantaged is evident and her drive to help infectious. Partnering with the UK Community Foundation she has helped several clients establish substantial family foundations to benefit our region and in 2020 Moira, with her business partners Bernice and Mark, followed suit establishing the FPC Foundation with the specific aim of supporting financial education, awareness, and wellbeing.
Supporting her nomination were a plethora of testimonials from colleagues, clients, and community partners – here are just a few:
Colleagues:
- Mark Ralphs – Founding Partner, FPC – “Moira and I have worked together for 36 years; first as a trainee assistant, then as one of the first Chartered Financial planners in the UK and latterly, for some years, as FPC’s Managing Partner. Moira has all of the characteristics of a great leader. Rather than ‘being the Boss’ her actions are for the mutual benefit of all involved – clients, team members or a client’s other professional advisors. Her experience and wisdom are appreciated by many and business owner clients regularly consult her about matters other than financial advice. She has the right combination of patience and discipline to deal quickly with matters or news that may look unfavourable but also do the right thing in the longer term. Moira is naturally philanthropic, believing it is better to offer a ‘hand up’ than a ‘hand out.’ This is evidenced by work with the FPC Foundation and MWOTY.”
- Paul Welsh, Senior Adviser, FPC – “I have had the pleasure of working for Moira for the past 13 years, and have been consistently impressed by her dedication to her company and commitment to her team. Moira is an inspiring leader, always looking for ways to improve the company and experience for our clients. She is also one of the most caring and compassionate people I have ever met; always there for clients and team members when they have experienced periods of difficulty in their lives, both personal and professional.”
- Mike Lea, Investment Director, FPC – “Moira has an extremely caring, passionate, and conscientious nature that radiates throughout FPC towards its clients, staff, and the local community. You will not find someone who works harder and sacrifices so much to protect and promote the interests of other individuals and groups.”
Clients:
- “Moira has been our adviser for over 25 years and a support through good times and bad as our business has navigated challenges from the credit crisis to COVID. Founded in 1820 and passed on through generations… Moira understands the significance and value of that legacy and is now working with the next generation of our family to ensure that is protected.”
- “We first met Moira O’Shaughnessy over 10 years ago when a business colleague recommended FPC, in particular Moira. At the time we were running a rapidly growing business… What became clear very quickly was that the relationship with Moira was a professional services relationship like no other we’d experienced. The rigorous financial knowledge and planning is a given, it’s the personal relationship and support that sets her apart.”
Community:
- Rae Brooke, CEO, Community Foundation for Merseyside – “In over 35 years of working in the private sector, public sector and third sector, ranging from international roles to regional roles I have come across many business leaders, good and bad and a few exceptional. Without any doubt Moira falls into the exceptional. Moira inspires with her infectious enthusiasm, her intellect, her business acumen, her social conscience, and her drive. She is always considering how she can support the next generation of professionals… She sets the bar high and leads by example… But what, for me, really sets Moira apart is her complete and utter dedication to supporting local grass root charitable organisations. In setting up the FPC Foundation and promoting philanthropy and charitable giving to others she has made a huge difference to the lives of so many in need. She has absolutely no ego, never seeks the recognition she deserves, and her actions speak volumes about what matters to her most and that’s the support and advancement of others. There is no one more deserving.”
- Allan – “Moira has spoken at the UK Community Foundation’s national conference, attended by all 47 Community Foundations across the UK. There she provided her insight to what motivates and facilitates current philanthropic giving. The Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire also acknowledged her efforts and invited Moira to attend the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2022 and she also represented FPC in Westminster receiving a Responsible Business Champion.”
- Ellie Kerr, Founding Director of MWOTY – “The belief and mentoring for me personally from FPC has greatly boosted my confidence and has helped me take the Merseyside Women of the Year awards from a moment to a movement that can give women access to a powerful network and self-development opportunities enabling them to step into their own power and create a better life for themselves and others.”
- Amy – “Moira changed my idea of what is possible in business… Moira’s message was clear from the start: ensuring that your business positively impacts others is not only possible, but also essential… Her determination to drive positive change in her community, and beyond, coupled with her boundless energy, tenacity, and positivity, is a beacon of light that has shone the way forward for me and for so many others. Thank goodness the business world has Moira O’Shaughnessy at the heart of it.”
Commenting on her win, Moira said: “Nothing I’ve ever achieved has been on my own so my grateful thanks go to all of the FPC team and most importantly to our clients for their ongoing confidence and support.”
Congratulations, Moira – wishing you a very well-deserved break over the festive period from all the team at FPC!
