SME News Q3 2026/ 12 Financial Services MD of the Year 2026 (East Midlands): Matt Baird & Excellence in Supportive Workplace Culture Development 2026 – East Midlands Based in Leicestershire, Accelerate Adviser Solutions provides outsourced paraplanning and administration services, as well as working with firms to review and improve their existing processes. Its full adviser support integrates seamlessly with a client’s business, and whether support is needed continuously or on a case-by-case basis, this team help lighten the load. We caught up with Matt Baird, Accelerate’s award-winning MD, for more on the firm, especially its supportive workplace culture. From sole advisers to larger financial planning firms, independent financial advisers (IFAs) from across the UK benefit from the services and support offered by Accelerate Adviser Solutions. Regardless of if clients need temporary help to cope with demand or a long-term outsourced partner they can trust as part of their business, the team here deliver, giving financial advisers more time to spend on their clients, business, and themselves. Heading up the team here is Matt Baird, who sees himself as less of a boss and more of a captain, someone who is right there with his team, steering the ship but making sure that everyone enjoys the journey. Matt explained: “For me, being a leader is about creating an environment where people genuinely want to come to work, feel supported, and be themselves. And if we’re not having fun whilst we do it, we’re doing it wrong!” The unique culture that stems from having Matt at the helm is something Accelerate is especially proud of. Beneath the laughter, singing, and dancing, there is a real positive and professional undercurrent. The small wins are celebrated together, and the energy this creates reverberates across the work the team deliver. For clients, this means an incredible service – with care and pride taken in everything the team do. People trust Accelerate because they feel the difference, in the quality of the work but also in the way its people show up. Development is a crucial part of any good workplace culture, and Matt encourages everyone to be themselves but also to push harder and aim higher. He added: “Whether that’s through exams, training, or learning how to approach things differently – I’ll always offer support and space to develop.” This is seen through the Incremental Improvement Initiative, which sees members of the team recognised and rewarded for ideas that enhance the company’s work. “I want to bring out the best in my team without pushing too far. I’m proud of the culture we’ve built, the results we’re achieving, and the fact we leave the office smiling. To me, that’s leadership done right.” Matt’s journey to the top spot has undoubtedly shaped how he approaches leadership. His early days as an administrator for a SIPP provider saw him learn the industry basics, before he moved into a role that blended administration and paraplanning, which was where Matt really found his feet. Studying alongside work, Matt completed a range of professional exams and developed a broad technical knowledge. After COVID cut a trip around the world short, Matt returned to the UK to find his previous role was no longer available, so he started a position as a paraplanner for a new firm. Another setback occurred shortly after, when redundancy hit. Rather than this being the end of that chapter and everyone going their separate ways, Matt and the team used the opportunity to build something themselves, creating Accelerate and building it up to be the kind of business that they had always wanted to work for. Steady growth has continued ever since, and the recent move into a larger office means that Accelerate has the space to continue growing its team and supporting IFAs across the UK. Matt remains certain that this growth will not come at the expense of Accelerate’s awardwinning culture, and every new person who joins the team is promised the same supportive environment and positive culture that has defined its success thus far. Against the backdrop of Accelerate’s growth and development, which in the long-term includes becoming the first name advisers think of when they need outsourced paraplanning, financial planning administration support, or operational support, Matt is committed to his own learning. Matt himself explained: “Every year I want to become a better leader than I was the year before, because if I continue improving, hopefully the business and the people around me will continue to grow as well.” Ultimately, Matt Baird’s goal has never been just to build a successful business. He has strived to offer somewhere where everyone has the opportunity to learn, develop, and achieve things they can be proud of. As these two awards highlight, he has certainly done just that. Contact: Matt Baird Company: Accelerate Adviser Solutions Web Address: https://accelerateteam.co.uk/
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