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We need more women in the financial advice industry – here’s why.

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Why we need more woman in the financial advice industry

Traditionally, financial advice and wealth management has been a male-dominated industry, with estimates suggesting that female advisers are outnumbered by male counterparts by a ratio anywhere from 10:1 to 6:1. But in the past few years, there’s been a shift. It’s about time: as well as ensuring equal representation in the workplace, gender equality is an important issue worldwide – so if the financial advice industry is to remain relevant, there needs to be more women. Why? For starters, as advisers age out of the industry, the next generation isn’t entering the field fast enough to fill the gap, which means the industry is on the brink of a major disruption. And as financial advice becomes increasingly holistic, more customers are saying they want a female adviser. Whilst a number of leading firms have initiatives in place to increase the number of women choosing financial advice careers, things are off to a slow start – and the world of finance is still hugely male-dominated.

Finance is a (wo)man’s world

Many still view finance as a man’s world – but if we take a look at the statistics, that is all changing. Half of married women with a business-related degree out-earn their husbands, whilst 80% of women will be solely responsible for their household’s finances at some point. Women will also inherit 70% of the wealth passed down over the next two generations – which means they will control of household wealth by 2030. In fact, about 53% of UK millionaires will be female by 2025. When it comes to financial advice careers, up to 70% of women who work with financial advisers prefer female advisers, and 34% of financial advisers believe their firm should employ more female advisers – however, despite all this, current estimates suggest that female financial advisers account for just 15% of the total adviser population. Here’s why the financial advice industry needs more female advisers…

Financial advice careers

More women leaders = more women trainees

Financial advice and wealth management is often still seen as a male-dominated, sales-focused world. Many see finance as something of an old boys club, with the image of the 80s bankers on the trading floor still dominating people’s minds. But if firms are to bridge the adviser gap and encourage more young advisers to join the industry – including women – there needs to be more female leaders to attract young, motivated women to the industry. The Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter – an initiative started in 2016 to boost gender diversity – encourages firms to pledge to increase the number of women in senior positions. With more women at the helm, a greater proportion will be encouraged to join the sector at a grass-roots level and even numbers out, helping to fill the adviser gap.

Appeal to a bigger variety of clients                                                                                                                                   

In today’s world, potential clients come from all walks of life – and the more the make-up of the advice industry reflects the wider population, the more likely you are to attract a mix of clients. Traditional older, male financial advice clients are passing away, with many leaving their spouses in charge of financial affairs – and older female clients often leave the advisers of their late husbands for someone they are more comfortable with. But it’s not just older generations who want to work with female advisers. There are also more successful, young single females and female breadwinners that prefer dealing with female advisers who talk the same language as them without jargon, whilst some male clients have different needs and prefer the ‘gentle’ approach of female advisers, too.

Benefit from a different skillset                                                                                                                         

Ultimately, financial advice comes down to trust and building relationships. Developing relationships with clients involves listening, empathising and asking questions to go above and beyond the typical role of a financial adviser. In order to do this effectively, advisers need to sit with their clients, really get to know them and find out what they want to achieve and why. Every client has different drivers – and good advisers need to really listen to their clients so they can understand their goals and help them achieve them. Women typically have a different skill set to men – they are often more empathetic, intuitive and good at listening – and these skills are really important when it comes to building relationships, growing trust and offering bespoke financial advice.

Offer a holistic approach                                                                                                                                                        

In addition to investment and returns, financial advice today is becoming more holistic. From talking to your children about money and caring for ageing parents to putting children through university, financial advice is becoming more personal – and this type of holistic financial advice is an approach that is really well suited to women. It’s not just about assets or net worth; it’s about goals, ambitions and personal wellbeing. As a financial adviser, you wouldn’t usually expect your clients to tell you about their dream holiday, the kitchen they want or what universities their kids hope to go to. But when taking a more holistic approach to financial advice, these things are all important. Post RDR, it’s no longer about pushing products in exchange for commission, but wanting to make a difference in people’s lives.

Inspire and go forward

Over the years, we’ve spoken to hundreds of incredibly inspiring women, who are breaking the usual stereotypes within the financial planning profession.

Here’s a hand-picked list of just a few of the women we think are breaking the mould:

  1. Sarah Tucker AKA the mortgage mum, Her whole business model is set up around mums managing their work-life around their family commitments, smashing the stereotype of the typical mortgage company which in turn attracts a different type of client, double whammy!
  2. Chanelle Pattinson is an IFA from P&P invest Ltd, we talk about her journey as a young female in the financial planning profession and how being the only female her age at a PFS conference sparked the idea of creating an online community for young women in financial planning.
  3. Makala Green of Green Wealth Planning, Chartered financial expert and the first black female chartered financial planner in the UK
  4. Luiza Todd of Bespoke training solutions! It’s fair to say Luiza knows a thing two about passing Cii qualifications, over the last 16 years she’s helped tens of thousands of students Pass their R0 exams.
  5. Cathi Harrison, CEO of the Verve Group: a collection of companies that provide outsourced paraplanning, compliance, and training for financial planning companies.
  6. Catherine Morgan who is a multi-award-winning financial planner, podcast host & financial coach at Money Panel.

Check out all episodes on Spotify and Apple podcasts

Would you like to be a guest on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Get in touch today.

Are you looking for your new role?

Perhaps you’re an employer looking to hire?

Request a call back with one of our expert consultants today!

 

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PRIVACY POLICY

Background: Recruit UK Limited understands that your privacy is important to you and that you care about how your personal data is used. We respect and value the privacy of all our customers and will only collect and use personal data in ways that are described here, and in a way, that is consistent with our obligations and your rights under the law.

1. What Does This Notice Cover?

This Privacy Information explains how we use your personal data: How it is collected, how it is held, and how it is processed. It also explains your rights under the law relating to your personal data.

2. What is Personal Data?

Personal data is defined by the General Data Protection Regulation (EU Regulation 2016/679) (the “GDPR”) as ‘any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified in particular by reference to an identifier’. Personal data is, in simpler terms, any information about you that enables you to be identified. Personal data covers obvious information such as your name and contact details, but it also covers less obvious information such as identification numbers, electronic location data, and other online identifiers.

3. What Are My Rights?

Under the GDPR, you have the following rights, which we will always work to uphold:

a) The right to be informed about our collection and use of your personal data. This Privacy Notice should tell you everything you need to know, but you can always contact us to find out more or to ask any questions.

b) The right to access the personal data we hold about you.
c) The right to have your personal data rectified if any of your personal data held by us is inaccurate or incomplete.
d) The right to be forgotten, i.e. the right to ask us to delete or otherwise dispose of any of your personal data that we have.
e) The right to restrict (i.e. prevent) the processing of your personal data.
f) The right to object to us using your personal data for a particular purpose or purposes.

g) The right to data portability: This means that if you have provided personal data to us directly, we are using it with your consent or for the performance of a contract, and that data is processed using automated means. You can ask us for a copy of that personal data to re-use with another service or business in many cases.

h) Rights relating to automated decision-making and profiling: We do not use your personal data in this way

i) For more information about our use of your personal data or exercising your rights as outlined above. Further information about your rights can also be obtained from the Information Commissioner’s Office or your local Citizens Advice Bureau. If you have any cause for complaint about our use of your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

4. What Personal Data Do We Collect?

We may collect some or all the following personal data (this may vary according to your relationship with us):

  • Name;
  • Address;
  • Email address;
  • Telephone number;
  • Business name;
  • Job title;
  • Profession;
  • Information about your preferences and interests

5. How Do You Use My Personal Data?

Under the GDPR, we must always have a lawful basis for using personal data. This may be because the data is necessary for our performance of a contract with you, because you have consented to our use of your personal data, or because it is in our legitimate business interests to use it. Your personal data will be used for or may be used for one of the following purposes:

  • Providing and managing your account.
  • Supplying our services to you. Your personal details are required in order for us to enter into a contract with you.
  • Personalising and tailoring our services for you.
  • Communicating with you. This may include responding to emails or calls from you.
  • Supplying you with information by email and/or post that you have opted-in to (you may unsubscribe or opt-out at any time by emailing [email protected].

With your permission and/or where permitted by law, we may also use your personal data for marketing purposes, which may include contacting you by email and/or telephone and /or text message and/or post with information, news, and offers on our services. We will always work to fully protect your rights and comply with our obligations under the GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, and you will always have the opportunity to opt out.

6. How Long Will You Keep My Personal Data?

Due to the nature of recruitment, a significant number of candidates reconnect with our organisation periodically. It is not uncommon for this to occur years after we have placed them in a role. For this reason, your consent includes explicit consent to retain your personal details until you wish us to delete your records from our database or refrain from further engagement.

7. How and Where Do You Store or Transfer My Personal Data?

We will only store or transfer your personal data in the UK or elsewhere in the EU. This means that it will be fully protected under the GDPR.

  • We store all data in specific company applications unique to us
  • All application access is via secure password or biometric control
  • In line with our Data Retention Policy, your data is deleted once

a) we no longer have a relevant use for it
b) it has passed the relevant expiry date

8. Do You Share My Personal Data?

We will not share any of your personal data with any third parties for any purposes, subject to one important exception. In some limited circumstances, we may be legally required to share certain personal data, which
might include yours, if we are involved in legal proceedings or complying with legal obligations, a court order, or the instructions of a government authority.

If any of your personal data is required by a third party, as described above, we will take steps to ensure that your personal data is handled safely, securely, and in accordance with your rights, our obligations, and the third party’s obligations under the law.

9. How Can I Access My Personal Data?

If you want to know what personal data we have about you, you can ask us for details of that personal data and for a copy of it (where any such personal data is held). This is known as a “subject access request”.All subject access requests should be made in writing and sent to the email or postal addresses shown below.

There is not normally any charge for a subject access request. If your request is ‘manifestly unfounded or excessive’ (for example, if you make repetitive requests) a fee may be charged to cover our administrative costs in responding.

We will respond to your subject access request within 14 days and, in any case, not more than one month of receiving it. Normally, we aim to provide a complete response, including a copy of your personal data within that time. In some cases, however, particularly if your request is more complex, more time may be required up to a maximum of three months from the date we receive your request.

You will be kept fully informed of our progress.

10. Contact details

Contact us at [email protected]
Alternatively, you can contact us by writing to us at:
GDPR Compliance Officer
Recruit UK Limited
Newminster House
27-29 Baldwin Street
Bristol
BS1 1LT

11. Complaints procedure

If you have a complaint about the way your data is stored or handled by Recruit UK Limited, please
contact us at [email protected]
Alternatively, you can contact us by writing to us at:
GDPR Compliance Officer
Recruit UK Limited
Newminster House
27-29 Baldwin Street
Bristol
BS1 1LT

Escalated Complaints
If you remain unhappy with the handling of your data, you can complain to the ICO.
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

12. Changes to this Privacy Notice
We may change this Privacy Notice from time to time. This may be necessary, for example, if the law
changes, or if we change our business in a way that affects personal data protection.
Any changes will be made available on our website recruitukltd.co.uk

DIVERSITY POLICY

Inclusivity and fairness are of paramount importance to us. Recruit UK embraces equality, diversity and inclusion and will seek to promote their benefits in all of its business activities. We will further develop our business culture to encourage, value and manage that belief. 

We intend to eliminate discrimination and encourage diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our employees will be truly representative of all sections of society and each person feels respected and able to give their best.

Our policy purpose:

Not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of:

  • age
  • disability
  • gender reassignment
  • marriage or civil partnership
  • pregnancy and maternity
  • race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin)
  • religion or belief
  • sex
  • sexual orientation

 

Oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful discrimination. This includes:

  • pay and benefits
  • terms and conditions of employment
  • dealing with grievances and discipline
  • dismissal
  • redundancy
  • leave for parents
  • requests for flexible working
  • selection for employment, promotion, training or other developmental opportunities

 

Who is responsible for equal opportunities?

Achieving an equal opportunities workplace is a collective task shared between the employer and all its staff. This policy and the rules contained in it, therefore, apply to all staff of the employer irrespective of seniority, tenure and working house, including all employees, directors,

consultants, trainees, homeworkers and fixed-term staff and any volunteers or interns (referred to as staff).

All staff have a personal responsibility to ensure compliance with this policy, to always treat colleagues with dignity, and not to discriminate against or harass other members of staff, visitors, clients, customers, suppliers and former Recruit UK, employees.

Managers and Directors must take all necessary steps to:

  • Promote the objective of equal opportunities and the values set out in this policy.
  • Ensure that their own behaviour and those of the staff then manage complies in full with this policy;
  • Ensure that any complaints of discrimination, victimisation, or harassment (including against themselves) are dealt with appropriately and are not suppressed or disregarded.

Our Commitments

  1. Encourage equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

  2. Create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued.

    This commitment includes training managers and all other employees about their rights and responsibilities under the equality, diversity, and inclusion policy. Responsibilities include staff conducting themselves to help the organisation provide equal opportunities in employment, and prevent bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination.

    All staff should understand they, as well as their employer, can be held liable for acts of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination, in the course of their employment, against fellow employees, customers, suppliers and the public.

  3. Take seriously complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination by fellow employees, customers, suppliers, visitors, the public and any others during the organisation’s work activities.

    Such acts will be dealt with as misconduct under the organisation’s grievance and/or disciplinary procedures, and appropriate action will be taken. Particularly serious complaints could amount to gross misconduct and lead to dismissal without notice.

    Further, sexual harassment may amount to both an employment rights matter and a criminal matter, such as in sexual assault allegations. In addition, harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – which is not limited to circumstances where harassment relates to a protected characteristic – is a criminal offence.

  4. Make opportunities for training, development, and progress available to all staff, who will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential, so their talents and resources can be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the organisation.

  5. Review employment practices and procedures when necessary to ensure fairness, and also update them and the policy to take account of changes in the law.

  6. Monitor the make-up of the workforce regarding information such as age, sex, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and disability in encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion, and in meeting the aims and commitments set out in the equality, diversity and inclusion policy.

    Monitoring will also include assessing how the equality, diversity and inclusion policy, and any supporting action plan, are working in practice, reviewing them annually, and considering and taking action to address any issues.

Agreement to follow this policy

The equality, diversity and inclusion policy is fully supported by senior management at Recruit UK.

Details of Recruit UK’s grievance and disciplinary policies and procedures can be found in the employee’s handbook. This includes with whom an employee should raise a grievance – usually their line manager.

Use of the organisation’s grievance or disciplinary procedures does not affect an employee’s right to make a claim to an employment tribunal within three months of the alleged discrimination.

Achieve your career goals

Once you have the knowledge, soft skills, practical skills, and qualifications needed for pursuing a career in Financial Planning, we will provide you with guidance toward a suitable path to follow to achieve your career goals.
 
You can confidently apply for job opportunities with a high-quality CV knowing exactly where you sit within the market with inside intel about salary expectations, buzzwords for specific leading firms and referrals from experts you will meet along the way. You will also have the opportunity to utilize the Financial Planner Life recruitment services, giving you further specialized advice and putting you forward for roles which align with your intrinsic values and career goals.
 
Don’t put it on hold, join the community today and discover your potential.
[Join]

Discover your path.

We understand that there isn’t a one size fits all approach to a career in financial planning, which is why we are here to make sure that you’re taking the right route into the profession.
 
We’ve calmed the process down so you can stay within your current company, start studying towards your qualifications and begin to get a real understanding of what the landscape of financial planning looks like in respect of your career.
 
Whether you have aspirations of being an employed adviser, running your own business or doing a more back-office focused role such as compliance, we can help guide and support you down the right path, matching your experience, your network and your intrinsic values.

Uncover your potential.

It starts with taking your qualifications and what we do within the community is support you to pass your qualifications first time. The Financial Planner Life community is all about supporting people’s different learning styles and taking into consideration life’s commitments such as finances, family and existing employment.
 
We believe in offering a personalised learning experience, which is why our program includes study support for industry-recognised exams. Our aim is to ensure that you are well-prepared to pass exams such as the CII-regulated diploma in financial advice, the CII Certificate in Mortgage Advice and the CII Certificate in Paraplanning.
 
Train to become a financial planner with the use of online resources, networking within the community with well-established professionals as well as frequent webinars and Q&As with Sam Oakes and industry-leading professional guests.
 
[Download the full academy prospectus here]

Connect with the Community

Welcome to the Financial Planner Life Academy where well-being, honesty and transparency are at the heart of what we do.
 
We’re here to support you on your journey into a career within the financial planning profession. Whether that’s administration, paraplanning, financial advice or even mortgage advice. Our expert trainers and community will support and educate you and train you to A, pass your qualifications and B, make the right decision about your first employment in the financial planning profession.
 
It could be going down the route of being restricted, or becoming an IFA, you may even have aspirations of running your own business! But what does that look like?
 
We understand that from the outside looking in, it can be daunting to find the correct route into the profession to become a financial planner. The Financial Planner Life Academy is completely independent, allowing you to connect with hundreds of financial planning professionals with different backgrounds, at all levels of experience.
 
You will learn all about the different options you can take, mentored by a diverse mix of professionals so you are equipped with the essential toolkit to be able to make an informed decision about your career path within financial planning.

Apply for this position - We need more women in the financial advice industry – here’s why.

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