KENTWOMENINBUSINESS
KENT WOMEN IN BUSINESS :
DAWN WOOD
FINANCIAL PLANNER AND DIRECTOR AT ORCHARD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Tell us about you and your journey taking over Orchard Financial Management Limited . I returned to the industry after a career break and initially joined a network which is a bit like an association of advisers . However , I didn ’ t feel like we could be truly independent as there were restrictions on what solutions we could recommend to clients . But , what really led me into taking over a financial management firm was actually disillusionment with the industry as a customer . I really felt there was a gap in the industry for a company that could advise on both personal and business finances , who you could also build a robust relationship with rather than it just feeling like an ad hoc service .
When did you take over the business and what was your driving force ? I took over the business at the end of November 2020 . I really wanted to build a company and a team who could tick all the boxes . It was really important to me that we holistically review clients ’ circumstances and advise them on their options , even if that means looking at things from a different angle , including their business interests . I felt some older , more established firms could sometimes become a bit complacent and lose that proactivity in how they are dealing with clients .
We really felt there was an opportunity to lose the stuffiness as well . The financial services industry can be seen as a bit elitist , but I ’ m passionate about the industry being more approachable . You don ’ t need to be super wealthy to get advice on your pension - everyone should have advice on their pension !
Why are you different from the competition ? We ’ re not complacent . Although the company has been around for over 20 years , as a team we treat it almost like a startup - we are always looking to improve our services and how we work with our clients . The team is really driven in terms of personal improvement as well - whether by educating themselves and working towards further qualifications , or helping their colleagues to learn more . Primarily , we never forget that the reason we ’ re here is the client , and it ’ s important to us that they are getting a truly holistic service .
One piece of business advice to other women in business ? Be organised . And have faith in yourself as well . Women are spectacular in business , they just need to be more confident ! You can do it all and you can do it really well , you ’ ve just got to be organised . A lot of women in business have really battled to be successful and we should be confident and proud of our achievements . Also , surround yourself with good people - you can never know it all !
What are you most proud of ? The team at Orchard and what they achieve . We ’ re really adding value to our clients ’ lives from solving complex IHT issues to helping them buy their first home . But , it ’ s not me that ’ s achieved this - it really isn ’ t - it ’ s the efforts of the team we have here . Our ambition is to continue growing the team and to have a presence on the high street as well , so we can keep removing those barriers to advice for people .
orchardfinancial . co . uk
74 • www . insidekent . co . uk