Every month, we share some highlights of what’s been happening in and around KBA.
This month, it’s all going on! Cheryl Clarke has passed yet another exam and gained her Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning with the Chartered Insurance Institute, Maura Baines has won a promotion, and we helped one of our favourite Manchester-based charities win a £15,000 grant from The Openwork Foundation.
Cheryl Clarke aced her final exam, gaining a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
You may remember reading about Cheryl’s previous exam success in May last year. Now our Nantwich Agency Manager has passed her R06 exam, meaning she now has a Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning with the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Having been working towards this goal for three years, we’re thrilled that all of Cheryl’s hard work has finally paid off.
Along with the Prosecco and flowers, we also made her a well-deserved cuppa and asked her to tell us more about how it all went…
What was the hardest part of preparing for this final diploma exam? And the easiest?
The hardest part was applying my knowledge to the case study and trying to anticipate what the CII might be looking for in the answers.
The easiest part was reading and going over the products.
You’ve previously told us about your excellent Post-it revision strategy. Did you discover any other winning strategies while studying for this exam?
Not really. This exam was totally different from the previous five, so my learning approach had to change. I focused on doing as many past papers as possible and honing my exam technique.
How did you find juggling work and study, and how has it been to adjust to having one fewer thing to worry about since passing the exam?
It was challenging; you have to be dedicated and focused. A glass of Prosecco helped with the adjustment – actually, more than one…
How was the exam itself?
Difficult and thought-provoking.
What does passing this qualification mean for you professionally?
My knowledge of the industry has increased. Now, my customers can benefit not only from my customer service experience but also from the in-depth knowledge I’ve gained.
What’s next? Will you be working towards another qualification, or are you taking a break before diving into your next challenge?
I’m planning to relax and go on holiday. I’ll read a few work-related books, such as The Advantage, and – who knows? – I might decide to explore other courses in the future.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’d like to thank Openwork’s training team for their support throughout my financial planning exam journey and Sarah Hogan for connecting me with them.
Maura Baines has been promoted to Lead Paraplanner
Maura Baines joined the KBA family early in 2023 as a paraplanner. Now she’s been promoted to Lead Paraplanner and is working towards becoming a Chartered Financial Planner.
So we could hear more about her journey and what this promotion means, we asked a few searching questions…
Congratulations on your promotion! Can you start by telling us a little about your background? What were you doing before joining the KBA family?
Thank you! I began my journey in the financial services sector at 18.
Like many, I initially stumbled into the field without anticipating a long-term career. Over the years, I have worked with several firms and numerous advisers. I earned my diploma in 2020, and now at KBA, I am working towards becoming a Chartered Financial Planner.
Can you tell us about your previous role and how your responsibilities have changed during your time on the team?
In my previous role, I was involved in client meetings, documenting them, and collaborating with Sarah on strategic planning. I also supported my colleagues and processed cases.
My responsibilities have since evolved, and I’m now responsible for developing my team, implementing processes, enhancing our skill sets, and working on strategies with both my team and the advisers.
What excites you most about taking on this new role?
I’m thrilled about the opportunity to grow our paraplanner team. Training and working closely with my team, assisting advisers with their cases, and continuously upskilling ourselves will undoubtedly benefit our KBA clients.
What do you think might be your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge will be fostering an environment where team members feel comfortable discussing their strengths and weaknesses, promoting openness, and ensuring everyone can be themselves as we grow stronger together.
If you could offer one piece of advice to someone looking to work with KBA or in the financial services sector, what would it be?
Go for it! The financial services sector is incredibly rewarding with numerous avenues to explore. Ask questions, absorb the knowledge around you, and embrace the learning opportunities.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I am eagerly looking forward to seeing how far we can go with this team and the significant impact we can make at KBA.
We helped our friends at the Manchester charity, Back on Track, win a £15,000 grant from The Openwork Partnership
You may remember reading about our warm friendship with Back on Track– a Manchester-based charity who provide community learning and holistic support to adults experiencing multiple disadvantages.
We are members of The Openwork Partnership, who support us with our service offering, training, and compliance. The Openwork Partnership also have a charitable arm – The Openwork Foundation – and, each year Openwork colleagues and advisers raise more than £500,000 to support vulnerable people and communities.
Sarah Hogan and Emma Bell nominated Back on Track for a grant from the Foundation and, after weeks of application-filling, conversation, and deliberation, the charity were awarded £15,000 🎉
Fundraising and Communications Manager, Sam Turner says: “We were absolutely thrilled to get the fantastic news about this grant. It’s a huge deal for us and will make a massive difference to local people facing disadvantages.
“The cost of living crisis is still badly affecting so many of the people we work with, and we’re seeing a higher level of mental health problems than ever before.
“We’ll use the funding to run a programme of mental health and wellbeing support throughout the year, helping people to deal with anxiety, make new connections and feel better. Thanks so much to KBA and the Openwork Foundation for this amazing support!”
About Back on Track
Set up in 1977, Back on Track have been working with people who have been through major problems like homelessness and drug and alcohol problems for 45 years.
Of their members:
- 91% have mental health problems
- 49% have a conviction
- 55% have problematic drug/alcohol use
- 50% are homeless or vulnerably housed.
The charity support around 600 people every year, providing a wide variety of support and skill-learning to help vulnerable people get their lives back on track.
With a timetable packed with courses and activities, the charity offers training, work experience, and one-to-one guidance to help people:
- Manage problematic drug/alcohol use
- Live a crime-free life
- Improve mental health and wellbeing
- Find a stable home.
Get involved
If you’re interested in volunteering your time or making a donation to the charity, see the Back on Track website to read more about the fantastic service they offer and how you could get involved.
