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 continues to work towards Chartered status. 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 Accountancyfor 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 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 2 years I have worked here, I still feel like I have so much 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 completed my Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, I am nearing the end of the Financial Adviser apprenticeship course I am 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 are always happy to answer any queries I have and set aside the time to go through complex cases with me.

What are your goals for the future?

Next stop is achieving Chartered status then I can hopefully go on and start advising clients of my own.

When did you join Rosebridge?

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 graduated 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 a local IFA that I saw

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 and 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 7 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 (and nearly causing an early divorce in the process!), I am looking forward to 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?

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 can gain a lot of satisfaction from knowing that we provide our clients with good advice and 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 exam, 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?

I am one subject away from achieving Chartered Status so I am very much looking
forward to getting this under my belt!

Grace joined Rosebridge in 2017 when our Chester office first opened, after completing her Level 3 Administration Apprenticeship in her first year, Grace is close to achieving her Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning. Learn about her journey with Rosebrideg so far below...

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

Rosebridge was offering an apprenticeship position at the time which I felt was perfect for my career path. After completing my GCSE, I was looking to develop my education whilst also earning money and progressing in an expanding companu. The opportunity to continue my educational development, whilst not getting in to thousands of pounds of student debts 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 have played a big part in my career success so far. All staff are very knowledgeable and always willing to share and 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 and friendly and can-do environment where everyone is after the best for our clients.

What coaching and support do you receive from the company?

I am currently part of the Skills edge apprenticeship course which provides me with online coaching and assignment work to develop and help towards each exam unit. Alongside this, the advisers and client relationship managers I work alongside are always willing to share their knowledge with me and take time out of their busy schedules to make sure I have the tools to succeed.

What are your goals for the future?

I would like to continue my development within the business and become a point of contact for staff and providers.