CAREER
PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
‘ We will always find a place for great people ’
Paul Gibson and Andrew Gilmore , of Stockton-based Active Chartered Financial Planners , discuss the benefits of a career in finance
FINANCE
PLANNING
How did you begin your career in finance ? PG : At 14 , I spent work experience at Yorkshire Bank so on leaving school at 16 , I applied to the Middlesbrough branch . I didn ’ t enjoy school , so I focused on getting a job rather than going to college . Supported and funded by the bank , I studied for banking qualifications at night school . At 21 , an opportunity arose to move to the financial advice arm of Yorkshire Bank and three years later , I was promoted to Independent Financial Adviser ( IFA ).
AG : After school I studied for A levels in accounting and business studies at college . Similar to Paul , I didn ’ t want to continue in full-time education , so I took the apprenticeship route with North East Chamber of Commerce ( NECC ). Initially I was interested in accountancy , but after several interviews I realised it wasn ’ t for me . In 2007 , when a business administration apprenticeship role at Active Chartered Financial Planners was advertised , I went for it .
What advice would you give to anyone starting their career in the industry now ? PG : Seek advice from industry professionals and keep an open mind . There are many different roles allowing you to progress with experience and qualifications . Here we have client facing and non-client facing roles – advisory to client support plus more specialist roles like communications . We will always find a place for great people !*
AG : Use the help available to you , attend careers events , speak to professionals and access free programmes from organisations like The High Tide Foundation .
Look at entry requirements – you may not need to go to university and instead take the apprenticeship / internship route .
Colleagues – Active Financial Planners director and chartered financial planner Paul Gibson , left , and chartered financial planner Andrew Gilmore .
What benefits does a career in finance offer ? PG : There are a huge variety of different roles in this industry so you can progress as far as your aspirations take you . We have a flexible working environment – some people work part-time and others work from the office or home . Flexibility is essential for a happy team .
AG : Excellent career progression . I ’ ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles here .
Building relationships with clients over a number of years offers you huge benefits - clients return to you and refer you to others .
Andrew , how has having Paul as a mentor helped with your career ? Being mentored by Paul means I ’ ve had the advice and support of someone with huge experience who can help in so many different situations . I ’ ve always felt supported – Paul has been instrumental in my career .
Paul , is mentoring particularly beneficial for people beginning a career in the financial sector ? If so , why ? 100 per cent yes ! As there are so many different roles , opportunities and qualifications , a mentor is there to help , support and educate . As a mentor , I can also identify the potential of talented individuals .
Andrew , how has your role in the sector changed since you started as an apprentice ? My apprenticeship was in a support / administration role . In 2010 , I began my industry exams , qualifying as a paraplanner in 2012 . I continued studying and began advising clients in 2013 , achieving chartered financial planner status in 2015 .
How has the sector changed since you started ? PG : The biggest change for me is that financial advice has shifted from being sales to service focused . Our focus is 100 per cent on the client – putting them at the centre of everything we do . Building longterm , trusted relationships , together with a clear strategy and robust financial plan , has been key to our success in recent years .
Both – what do you like about your role ? PG : For me it ’ s the balance between advising clients , which I ’ ve done for almost 30 years , and my role as a director . It ’ s very rewarding bringing my experience as an adviser to my director role to support and mentor other team members .
AG : I love building long-term , trusted relationships with clients and seeing my advice coming to fruition . Watching clients benefit from that advice gives huge job satisfaction .
* College leavers ! Could you be our next client support officer ? Contact rmcculloch @ activefp . co . uk # TheClearAdvantage activefinancialplanners . co . uk @ ActiveFinancial
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