Career Planning for the Future

After graduating with a First-Class Honour's degree in Financial Management, Joe worked in accountancy for two years before joining the Rosebridge team in 2020. Joe is delighted to have achieved his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and achieved Chartered status in 2024. Read about his journey with Rosebridge so far below...

When did you join Rosebridge?

I joined Rosebridge in June 2020. Prior to joining the company, I worked in Accountancy for 2 years.

What made you choose Rosebridge and this path in your career?

I was interested in pursuing a career in financial services and reached out to Phil Rose to arrange an initial discussion. Following the meeting with Phil, it was clear Rosebridge could offer the necessary support and training required to be successful within this industry and provide me with a clear path to becoming a financial adviser in the future.

What’s it like completing exams and working at the same time alongside others who are already qualified?

Challenging. It requires a lot of self-motivation to come home from work and get your head in your books. However, I know that if I want to get to where I want to be then the exams need completing. It has helped that everyone is in the same boat and my colleagues around me are also completing the exams, albeit at different stages.

What are you enjoying most at the moment about your journey?

Although I have learnt a lot in the 4 years I have worked here, I still have more to learn. I am looking forward to developing my knowledge and skills further as I progress through my career.

What coaching and support do you receive from the company?

Having now achieved Chartered status, i have now completed the Financial Adviser apprenticeship course I was enrolled on. The course has provided me with necessary support for passing the exams and the skills required to be successful in the role. Phil and the rest of the team were always happy to answer any queries and set aside the time to go through complex cases with me.

What are your goals for the future?

Now I have completed the Advanced Diploma exams and achieved Chartered status, I am looking forward to transitioning into advising over the next year and learning as much as I can from Phil, Chris and the other advisers at Rosebridge.  I hope to build on the relationships with existing Rosebridge clients and new clients, continuing to provide a high-level service expected from Rosebridge advisers.

When did you join Rosebridge?

I joined Rosebridge in January 2014, having graduated from the University of Manchester in July 2013.

What made you choose Rosebridge and this path in your career?

Having graduate from university, I was looking for graduate programmes either within financial services or investment banking, having developed an interest in this area at University. During this time, Rosebridge were advertising for a Trainee Administrator role.

Rosebridge were and are a reputable and growing local IFA that I was keen to be a part of. Rosebridge were willing to help me progress through my professional financial planning exams via the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) to become a Chartered Financial Planner.

What’s it like completing exams and working at the same time alongside others who are already qualified?

Working full-time and studying is a big commitment, but being able to liaise with like-minded colleagues who are working towards the same goals is valuable and provides some extra motivation from a studying perspective.

In terms of my working colleagues, it means that we are a well-rounded and knowledgeable team who are willing to help each other in achieving the best solutions to meet our clients’ objectives.

What are you enjoying most at the moment about your journey?

The first 6-12 months were very tough settling into a full-time job, but the last 10 years have flown by!

The most enjoyable parts of the journey are interacting with clients, helping them to achieve their goals, working with a great bunch of colleagues and continuing to develop my knowledge in all areas of financial planning.

What coaching and support do you receive from the company?

Rosebridge have been very encouraging in helping me to progress from a Trainee Administrator, through Paraplanning and Client Relationship Manager roles to a fully qualified Chartered Financial Planner. All of my studying has been paid for (which can be a substantial financial commitment if doing this yourself!) They have offered study days for exams and have encouraged me to attend training courses, not just for exams, but for overall professional development as well.

We have quarterly group training sessions with external speakers who cover a wide range of topics and continue to help us broaden our knowledge.

What is your goal for the future?

Having achieved Chartered Status in April 2022, I enjoy advising clients, building long-standing, trusting relationships and taking satisfaction in helping clients achieve their short-and-long-term goals.

Rosebridge aren’t standing still and are always striving to improve.

When did you join Rosebridge?

I joined Rosebridge in May 2009.

What made you choose Rosebridge and this path in your career?

I wouldn’t say it was always a career I wanted to get into but having completed some work experience within the firm, I was intrigued as to the career that it could lead to. Since starting my role, I have gained a lot of satisfaction from knowing that we provide our clients with good advice, build long-term relationships and that they then appreciate the work we do for them.

What’s it like completing exams and working at the same time alongside others who are already qualified?

Although it’s not easy studying in your spare time whilst also having a full-time job, being surrounded by others who have also done the same exams as you previously helps you and also spurs you on to achieve the same level of qualifications that your peers have. The exams really help with your day-to-day job too as you can relate to the real life case studies, which helps you apply these accordingly.

What are you enjoying most at the moment about your journey?

I have been in a transition period into advising over the last 12-24 months and am enjoying meeting with clients and having the interaction with them.

What coaching and support do you receive from the company?

As there are many other members of staff who are qualified, there are plenty of people to ask if you are unsure on certain areas; whether this be with your daily workload or studying for exams, people are always willing to help and have definitely helped me and my understanding of various topics along the way.

What are your goals for the future?

Having achieved Chartered Status in 2023 I am focusing on continuing to provide a high-level service to our existing clients and also build professional relationships to help grow the business going forwards.

Grace joined Rosebridge in 2017 when our Chester office first opened. After completing her Level 3 Administration Apprenticeship in her first year, Grace has achieved her Diploma in Financial Planning and aims to continue on her journey of professional development. Learn about her journey with Rosebridge so far below...

What made you choose Rosebridge and this path in your career?

In 2017 I applied for a Level 3 Administration Apprenticeship position with Rosebridge in the Chester office. This really appealed to me, as I felt it was the perfect start for my career. I completed my Level 3 Administration Apprenticeship and started my Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in 2020. I was looking to develop my education whilst also progressing in an expanding company. The opportunity to continue my educational development, whilst gaining real life experience was highly appealing and much more adherent to my learning style.

What’s it like completing exams and working at the same time alongside others who are already qualified?

It is challenging at times to balance work and studying simultaneously, however, the support and encouragement I have received from everyone at Rosebridge has played a big part in my career success so far. All staff are very knowledgeable and always willing to help when needed. Many of the topics I have been studying about come up with in my day-to-day role which helps to cement my knowledge.

What are you enjoying most at the moment about your journey?

As the company grows and develops, there are ever-growing opportunities for me to find my path within the business. The knowledge I have learned is invaluable in all aspects of the job. I enjoy client interaction and the analytical side of meeting preparation. I also enjoy working in an encouraging, can-do environment where everyone is after the best for our clients.

What coaching and support do you receive from the company?

I completed my Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning qualification in 2022 as part of an apprenticeship course, ran by Skills edge. This included online coaching ahead of each exam and assignment work to develop my practical advice skills. I am now working on the advanced diploma exams to gain my Chartered status. Throughout my career, the advisers and client relationship managers at Rosebridge have always been there to share their knowledge and take time out to answer any questions I have.

What are your goals for the future?

Now that I have gained my Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, I am aiming to continue with the advanced diploma exams and gain Chartered Status.

Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years’ experience of advising clients. His knowledge and expertise led to Richard working with a broad cross section of clients, but predominantly deals with high-net-worth private clients and business owners. Read about his journey with Rosebridge so far below.

WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE ROSEBRIDGE?

I wanted to work with a business that was truly independent and put clients at the centre of everything they do. I cared about my clients and, having met with Steven Banks and Phil Rose, it was clear our ethos and focus on building long-lasting relationships with clients aligned. I felt like joining the Rosebridge team was the right fit, so having been advising for 20 years, I joined the Leeds office in 2014.

WHAT ARE YOU ENJOYING MOST ABOUT YOUR CAREER?

I enjoy the flexibility, trust, and freedom I have to do my job properly. I am encouraged to spend time with my clients and they get the time and commitment they deserve with me, so I can continuously support them and understand what is needed to help them with their financial circumstances to build and secure their future.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

My goals for the future are to continue to provide the best service and advice I can to my clients to ensure they achieve their objectives. This inevitably leads to organic growth within the business and allows me to provide high-quality, independent advice to more businesses and families.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHER QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS CONSIDERING JOINING ROSEBRIDGE?

Working with the higher end of high-networth-individuals in a highly valued environment presents an exciting challenge. You would be joining a friendly and supportive team with excellent technical expertise, meaning there is always help and assistance when needed.