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Economic review July 2025

UK economic output shrank for the second month in May,
driven by weakness in manufacturing and construction
Inflation rose unexpectedly to 3.6% in June, complicating the
Bank of England’s rate-cut considerations
Labour market shows signs of cooling, with falling vacancies
and slowing wage growth amid economic uncertainty

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RE: Testimonial for Karen Sheldon – Sheldon Flanders Financial Services Being an expert insurance broker who pride ourselves on the service and products we provide to our customers we have built a team of close referral partners who we know can trust and will provide the same to our customers and contracts when we recommend them. Having worked with Karen and her team for a few years and having used their services personally, myself and my team are pleased to say that Karen and her team at Sheldon Flanders Financial Services offer a personal service and an expertise that is first class. Couple this with the knowledge that they are totally independent and hold qualifications that most IFA’s do not is the reason why they are our number one choice when referring clients, contacts, family and friends for pensions, investments and protection insurance advice. I look forward to our continuing partnership for many years to come. Sean Kinsella Partner

Sean Kinsella

Oakes Insurance

As a small charity we are always needing a regular source of income to enable us to budget. I would like to thank Karen of Sheldon Flanders Financial Services Ltd for making us their nominated charity. They have kindly set up a standing order to donate every month. This has helped us a huge amount, by enabling us to plan head. I had wonderful service and advice on my recent life insurance and would highly recommend Sheldon Flanders to anyone needing financial advice.

Susan Buck

Hark Animal Rescue Centre

14th June 2018 Karen Sheldon - Testimonial To whom it may concern, Like many sole traders who made the decision to start working for themselves, I had somewhat neglected to plan what to do on when I didn’t want to work for myself anymore, or anyone else for that matter. Having been employed previously, I had a number of pension pots in different companies no clear idea what any of them amounted to. My previous IFA had sorted these out for me into one new ‘’pot’’ but hadn’t really explained whether it would be enough and what I could do to help it grow. That’s when I asked for the help of Karen Sheldon. Firstly, Karen went through my lifestyle now and to see what parts of it I wanted to keep after retiring, she looked at my family’s financial situation around our mortgage and the age of my children and what we all might need in the future. She then asked me to apply to the government to see what my state pension would entitle me to, something no other IFA has ever asked me to do, and then Karen went to work looking at the arrangements others had made for me alongside the state pension and what sort of lifestyle it would give me. Fortunately, it seems I am better prepared than most and Karen was very honest in telling me that she didn’t really need to do anything at this point. However, and again, this was something no other IFA had done, Karen gave me some scenarios where it would be a good idea for me to contact her in future to make sure I could use that to my advantage helping me in the future. Karen is a thoroughly professional and friendly person to deal with, her attention to detail when going through something quite complex (to me anyway) has made things clearer than ever before and I know that my future, and that of my family is in safe hands. Thank you! Ian Trembirth, Trembirth Design

Ian Trembirth

Trembirth Design

December 1, 2017 Karen Sheldon Dear Karen Sheldon: I am writing to express my gratitude for the help and advice Karen of Sheldon Flanders Financial Services gave when looking to invest a sum of money left to me by a relative in a will. You explained everything in layman’s terms and made sure everything was understood before moving on to the next step. My wife had made an appointment with the bank manager and I’m sure we would’ve ended up with a low interest ISA account with no flexibility and under his/her terms. So, I cancelled the appointment and arranged to meet up with Karen. I was very happy with her knowledge, patience and friendly manner. Always there with a smile on her face and personable nature I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Karen to family and friends on any matters regarding finance. She’s a whizz! Thanks again! Kind regards Danny Curran

Danny Curran

LunarTech Ltd

Karen Sheldon Sheldon Flanders Financial Services Ltd. 25th July 2014 To whom it may concern My wife and I recently wanted to review our affairs with regards to life insurance cover to see that we at least had the right policies in place for us both. We asked Karen of Sheldon Flanders Financial Services to review our current policies we had, plus to look into a new policy for my wife to see if there was better cover available for her. As my wife’s status is more complicated with regards to ongoing health, Karen searched extensively to find a policy that would give her the right life cover and this process was not straightforward, but nevertheless she took a big amount of time to find an option that would work which ultimately gave us options to look at. Karen also spent the time to give some great advice on my life insurance policies as well. As a result of Karen’s work, we have now both been left feeling much more confident that our affairs are in good shape when it comes to protecting our futures. I would have no hesitation in recommending Karen to give you peace of mind for your future, in financial and personal circumstances. Yours faithfully Andy Peat Managing Director Andy Peat Design

Andy Peat

Andy Peat Design

Jubilee Business Park Appleby Magna Swadlincote Derbyshire DE12 7AJ Re: Testimonial: Karen Sheldon – Sheldon Flanders Financial Services. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Karen for her assistance with our recent financial planning. Karen’s advice, expertise and patience makes the complex world of tax planning certainly seam a lot less stressful and Karen’s knowledge of the industry is second to none. I can highly recommend Karen’s service for any financial requirements as financial planning is key to securing your future income and Karen and her team by far exceeded my expectations when it comes to an area I previously knew nothing about. Saffron Event and Venue Caterers Ltd Company Number 6793893 Tel: 01530273879

Carla Garey

Saffron Catering

Mrs Karen Sheldon Sheldon Flanders Financial Services The Old Chapel 1c Welbeck Grove Allestree Derby DE22 2LS RE: Testimonial I contacted Karen Sheldon of Sheldon Flanders Financial Services to look over my pension which I had had for many years so was in desperate need of a review. I met Karen at a time and location that best suited me, and we went through my existing plan and my plans for future in regards to when I wanted to retire and how much money I would like to retire on. After this initial consultation Karen and her team went away and proceeded to obtain some quotations and information whilst keeping me updated at all times with each stage. Following this I then met with Karen again at a time and location that best suited me, and she advised what my next steps were to achieve my financial goals and to achieve financial freedom. Following this I had no hesitation to appoint her as my financial advisor and would have no hesitation in recommending Karen and her company Sheldon Flanders Financial Services to any of my family, friends and contracts. Kind regards Sean Kinsella Commercial Lines Manager Oakes Insurance Consultants

Sean Kinsella

Oakes Insurance

To whom it may concern Sheldon Flanders Financial Services As the main income earner in our household, with 3 children, I had been worried about what might happen to me and more importantly to my family should anything happen to me. I knew I needed to seek advice but had always put it off, as I have very little knowledge about all things financial services related. I am not one to spend hours filling out forms and reading pages and pages of policy documentation, with no idea what cover I should be getting for my business and personal situation. I knew I had to seek advice and was recommended to Karen Sheldon. Throughout the entire process, Karen has been professional, respective of my time, concise through and it is clear that she really is an expert in business protection, pensions and critical illness. I now feel safe in knowledge that if anything should happen to me, that my family will be taken care of. I have total peace of mind. If you are a business owner looking for expert advice from amazing Independent Financial Advisor, then look no further than Karen Sheldon. She will make the process easy to understand, find you the best solution on the market and ensure that you, your business and your family are protected. Kind regards Sam Rathling LinkedIn Expert

Sam Rathling

Linkedin Expert

I first met Karen at a business networking club in 2010. Karen always impressed me with her professionalism and knowledge of her financial products. In 2013, following 2 divorces, I decided to re-start my personal pension. I sat down with Karen and we discussed where I was financially and what I wanted to achieve. She produced figures on various options and I chose 2 products that have both since performed very well. I have since decided to invest considerably more and have taken Karen's recommendations. I would have no hesitation in recommending Karen in her field. She is highly knowledgeable, professional and efficient.

PAUL ROLLING

Mapperely Park, Nottingham

As the founder of OmnDemand Support who helps other businesses save time through providing professional office support I was delighted to meet Karen Sheldon. She made renewing Life Insurance easy whilst offering expert advice on products and benefits of the various policies. Karen and her team were professional, pleasant to deal with and made the whole experience very easy. I would not hesitate at all to recommend Sheldon Flanders Financial Services, they will offer expert professional advice and talk you through the product range available.

KAREY ROBERTS

ON DEMAND SUPPORT

When my mum received a letter from her bank, asking if she was sure her investments for her pension were not mis-sold, she asked if I knew of anyone who could advise her. I immediately turned to Karen Sheldon of Sheldon Flanders Financial Services. Karen quickly made an appointment to see my mum in her own house, took the relevant documentation away with her and then following another visit again to my mum's house was able to advise her accordingly as to her options. My mum really appreciated Karen's sound advice and is much happier knowing that her investments have been reviewed professionally and she is already recommending Karen on to her WI and sewing group buddies! Thank you Karen for all your efforts at putting my mum's mind at rest and I would have no hesitation in recommending Karen if you need financial advice.

SARAH BELL

Envirovent