The Crystal Ball 2021 was held online this year to adhere to Covid-19 restrictions, with over 150 professionals from the sector logging into the event.

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This year’s charitable theme links with CSF’s own health and wellbeing campaign, which looks to help people in the financial services sector identify and take the necessary steps to overcome isolation, stress, grief, financial worries and fears about the future.
 
As part of the programme, the specialist distributor aims to raise £25,000 this year to enable the charity to continue to provide vital services.  

Jo Breeden, managing director at CSF (pictured above), said: “Obviously we’re gutted we didn’t get to hold a physical event with all our close industry friends, but it’s still massively important, perhaps now more than ever, to recognise those striving to deliver world-class service and customer outcomes in tough conditions.
 
“Huge thanks go out to our headline sponsors MT Finance and Shawbrook, and every other partner who still managed to make it a wonderful 45 minutes of cheer and celebration.
 
“We are genuinely hopeful that we’ll be back celebrating in our usual home at The Belfry Hotel & Resort in February 2022, until that point let’s all keep excelling and keep each other safe.”

CSF supported Time to Talk Day on 4th February, an annual initiative organised by Time to Change and led by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

It promotes the message that, while starting a conversation about mental health might seem daunting, simply sending a text, checking in on a friend or sharing something on social media can break the ice.

It also released its first health and wellbeing interview in January, and launched a ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ initiative in late 2020.

In issue 11 of the Bridging & Commercial Magazine, CSF revealed how long working hours are affecting brokers’ mental health.