“Trust is what our relationship is built on. The way I see it, you look after our money so we can lead the life we want, and we do just that.” – Ray Lord – client since 1995
As I reflect on our 30th anniversary, I’m deeply moved by the incredible journey that has shaped our firm and the lives we’ve touched along the way. This milestone is not just a celebration of our achievements, but a tribute to the enduring spirit, commitment, and care that have guided us from the very beginning.
From our humble beginnings when I started out of a back bedroom and my first-ever clients, Ray and Sylvia Lord came on board, each milestone has been a testament to the enduring values at our core – integrity, excellence, simplicity, and growth. The timeline below is more than a record of dates and achievements; it is a living story of ambition, adaptability, and authenticity – for our clients, our team, and the community we’re proud to be a part of.
Every chapter – from our first office opening to our continual evolution – has been guided by a passion for making people’s lives better. Join us as we revisit the defining moments, remarkable individuals, and collective progress that have written the legacy of our first three decades.#
This article is taken from Equinox Autumn 2025 – Read the article in full here.
1995 – 1998
- Colin Lawson founded Applewood Financial.
- We opened our first office in Didsbury.
- We welcomed our first team member.
- We held our first seminar at Adlington Hall.
1998 – 2000
- The company evolved into The Applewood Group.
- We relocated to our new premises in Handforth.
2000 – 2005
- Marked by the turn of the Millennium, the client base had a growing number of millionaires.
2005 – 2007
- We became a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).
- Our office relocated to Brooke Court in Handforth Dean.
- We became directly authorised by the FSA (now known as FCA).
2007 – 2010
- Mike Deverell’s appointment to Investment Manager marked a new era.
- Model portfolios were launched.
- We transitioned to discretionary investment management.
- We became Equilibrium Asset Management, and a new business model was launched.
2010 – 2013
- The Equilibrium Foundation was born.
- Equinox made its debut.
- Our presence grew with a new office in Chester.
2013 – 2016
- We achieved CII Corporate Chartered Status.
- We acquired new premises at Evolution House and a permanent office in Chester.
- Our 21st anniversary was marked with a special client and team event at Tatton Park.
2016 – 2019
- We launched our core portfolio funds.
- We introduced Libby – a financial literacy programme for primary schools.
- The Foundation reached its £100k fundraising target.
- We made our debut in the Best Companies rankings.
2019 – 2021
- Covid struck just as we moved to Ascot House.
- We swiftly adopted technology for client meetings, communication, and online events.
- Our first client advisory group was held.
2021 – 2022
- We launched our Live Love Legacy proposition, closely reflecting our core values of integrity, excellence, simplicity and growth.
- We created our bespoke customer relationship management system to streamline client data and engagement.
2022 – 2024
- We hosted the first of many London events for our southern-based clients.
- The Equilibrium Foundation hit a £1 million milestone in donations to good causes.
- We hosted our first-ever masterclass.
2024 – 2025
- We introduced a streamlined service known as ‘Essentials’ for those with less complex financial planning needs.
- Our Christmas lunches attracted a record attendance of more than 700!
- We celebrated 30 years in business!!
Microsoft Edge 
Mozilla Firefox 
Google Chrome 
Apple Safari