Every month, we share some highlights of what’s been happening in and around KBA.
This month, we’re embracing the back-to-school spirit! Maura Baines is top of the class with some excellent exam success, we swap school lunch for the fantastic Nantwich Food Festival, and Andy Sumner has his sport kit packed and ready to play at a 24-hour charity football event.
Before you settle down to reading all about that, it’s assembly time, and we have a few work anniversaries to mention:
- Garry Lomon has been with us for 16 years. Since joining us in 2008, Garry’s 25+ years of experience, knowledge, and professionalism have been instrumental in shaping our fantastic team.
- Sarah Tate celebrated 12 years with the KBA family. Sarah is a true asset, expertly handling all protection work for our clients. Her humour and positivity keep spirits high at our lucky Leigh office.
- Hanna Wolny has had an amazing first year as one of our brilliant Customer Consultants in Bury. Joining us in August 2023, with a wealth of experience in banking and customer service, she’s amazing with all our lovely customers.
Congratulations, gold stars all round! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Maura Baines goes straight to the top of the class, and a step closer to reaching Chartered status
Just three months after being promoted to Lead Paraplanner, Maura Baines has passed her CF8 Chartered Insurance Institute exam. This exam focused on long-term care insurance, and Maura now has several exams to complete to gain the highly regarded Chartered status!
We wanted to pop some bubbly to celebrate, but settled for a cup of tea and biscuits in the corner at morning break to find out more…
How long have you been working towards your Chartered status, and can you tell us what other steps have been involved?
After completing my diploma back in 2020, I knew I was hooked and set my sights on becoming Chartered. I did take a breather before diving back in, but now I’m fully committed again with eight more exams to go to reach Chartered status.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but I’m excited for the challenge!
How are you at exams, generally?
I like to think I’ve got a solid game plan. I’m pretty methodical – no time wasted on questions I’m unsure of.
Before the exam, I calculate how much time I have for each question, so I’m not caught off guard. The exam consists of lots of multiple-choice questions, so I read each question and set of answers once. If an answer clicks right away, I trust my instincts, select it, and move on.
If I’m unsure, I give it another read, pick the best option, flag it, and revisit it later if needed. So far, this strategy has served me well—no re-sits or last-minute time crunches! That said, I’d be lying if I said I don’t get a bit nervous as exam day approaches.
What was the hardest part of preparing for the exam? And the easiest?
The hardest part? Definitely finding the discipline to prioritise studying amid work, parenting, and life in general. But hey, I’m driven to make this happen, so I push through.
The easiest part? Booking the exam! It gives me a deadline to work towards, plus, I have a bit of a soft spot for ordering new stationery – it just makes me feel more organised and mentally ready.
Can you tell me a bit about how you prepared? Do you have a revision technique, or are you a natural when it comes to learning new stuff?
Oh, I wish I were a natural at picking up new stuff! But no, I’ve got to put in the work.
My revision technique is pretty straightforward: I read through the study book, highlighting as I go, then I write up notes on the entire book. After that, I tackle chapter tests and full mock exams.
In the hours leading up to the exam, I go over everything one more time and hope it all sticks! I find it hard to relax until the exam is over because I always feel like I could be using that time to study more.
How did you find the CF8 exam?
The subject matter was genuinely interesting, but the exam itself had its moments. I didn’t feel too rushed for time, but there were definitely a few curveballs in there. It wasn’t the toughest exam I’ve done, but it wasn’t a walk in the park either!
What will it mean for you professionally?
Professionally, it’s been a great learning experience—I’ve picked up knowledge I didn’t have before, which is always a win. Plus, it’s another step closer to achieving Chartered status, so that’s a big bonus!
Are you already working towards the next exam, or are you taking a break before diving straight in?
I’m gearing up for my next exam in November, with a goal of tackling at least two exams a year. The journey continues!
Anything you’d like to add?
I’m really lucky to have an amazing support system. My team, family, and friends are all in my corner, cheering me on, and I know I’ll be leaning on them over the next few years. I couldn’t do it without them!
We skip school lunch for 3 days at the Nantwich Food Festival
We were thrilled to be back at the Nantwich Food Festival this year. With a fab display stand, various members of the KBA team were on hand to tackle financial planning and savings questions throughout the three-day festival. Better still, there was a lot of cake!
Along with answering all the pressing financial questions, we served up complimentary coffee and cakes, fun free glitter face art, and a chance to win a luxury Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa voucher in a special prize draw.
Needless to say, we enjoyed our fair share of tasty treats while chatting with all the lovely foodies who visited our stand. It was also the perfect opportunity to bond with fellow local businesses.
Andy Sumner and his five-a-side football team play to raise money for charity
On 18 and 19 September, Andy Sumner and his fab football team donned their kit and joined several other teams, of varying ages, to play for a nonstop 24-hours.
The event honoured the memories of Alice, Bebe, and Elsie, who tragically passed away, and all those injured, during the Taylor Swift Dance and Yoga class in late July in Southport.
All funds raised with be equally divided between the schools that Alice, Bebe and Elsie attended:
- Churchtown Primary School
- Marshside Primary School
- Farnborough Road Junior and Infants School.
Southport FC, Everton FC and Liverpool FC have all agreed to support the cause. If you would like to contribute, please follow this JustGiving link – as ever, every penny counts.
