Your Financial Planning Maestro

In this week's #YourFinancialPlanningMaestro #podcast we talk to Chris Harris CFP™ from RBC Brewin Dolphin.

We talk about:

See our website LockieConsultants.com for info on how you can become a CFP professional in the UK.

#CFP #CertifiedFinancialPlanner #CISI

Chris's bio: 

Chris Harris CFP™ is a financial planner who works at RBC Brewin Dolphin and joined the industry 8 years ago working for companies such as Wealth at Work and Charles Derby which is now Quilter. 

Prior to this he worked as secondary science teacher with a chemistry specialism and still runs a successful YouTube channel (Allery Chemistry) helping students to pass A Level Chemistry. 

Chris transitioned into financial planning to help people plan for their futures and feel confident about the way they fund their lifestyles and provide for their families. Obtaining CFP certification reinforces Chris’s commitment to professional financial planning and upholding the high standards the clients expect. 

In this week’s #YourFinancialPlanningMaestro #podcast we talk to James Hunt, Chartered Financial Planner at Eldon Financial Planning, who recently shared his journey to achieving the prestigious Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification.

His story provides valuable insights for aspiring financial planners.

James initially considered a career in accounting while studying finance at university. However, after completing a placement in an accounting firm, he realised that he wanted more personal interaction in his work. This shift in focus led him to explore financial planning, where he found a better balance between working with numbers and building meaningful client relationships.

Mentorship played a crucial role in James' career development. At Eldon Financial Planning, his colleagues, who were already CFP professionals, encouraged him to pursue the certification. Their guidance helped James see the value of the CFP's holistic approach, which goes beyond simple financial advice to encompass a client’s entire financial situation.

Preparing for the CISI L7 CFP case study was a challenging but rewarding experience. James highlighting the importance of thoroughly understanding the client’s objectives and documenting every assumption made. He learned to focus on concise, valuable reporting rather than unnecessary details, which was key to passing the financial plan assessment.

James also stressed how his experience as a chartered financial planner gave him an edge. His real-world experience allowed him to apply textbook knowledge to practical scenarios, ultimately enhancing his ability to provide comprehensive financial planning advice.

For those considering a career in financial planning, James’s journey underscores the importance of mentorship, attention to detail, and the value of holistic financial advice.

James’s bio:

I graduated university with a degree in International Finance and Banking, moving straight into a paraplanning role in 2015. I moved to Eldon Financial Planning in 2017, progressing from Paraplanner, to Financial Planner in that time. During my time at Eldon, I completed the level 4 diploma and level 6 diploma to become a Chartered Financial Planner, before completing the level 7 case study to become a Certified Financial Planner too.

In my personal life, I have an interest in the outdoors and keeping fit and growing up and living in Yorkshire I love the countryside. Me and my wife have just welcomed our first child into the world this year, so that's now my focus in my personal life.

If you would like to learn more about the resources that we have to help you become a CFP professional in the UK, please go to our website www.LockieConsultants.com

#CFP #CertifiedFinancialPlanner #CISI #podcast

In this week’s #YourFinancialPlanningMaestro #podcast interview, we talk to Alice Davey CFPTM of In Partnership about her inspiring journey into the financial planning profession, highlighting how success can come from persistence and continuous learning, even if the path starts unexpectedly.

Like many others, Alice entered the financial planning world by accident. What began as a simple practice interview led her to a role in a financial adviser's office, where she discovered her passion for the technical side of financial planning.

Alice’s career progression underscores the importance of ongoing professional development. Starting with administrative tasks, she pursued further qualifications, which allowed her to transition into more technical and compliance roles. Now a compliance supervisor, Alice is involved in reviewing financial advice, handling technical complaints, and providing support to advisers.

Her journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Alice first attempted the Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP) certification years ago but didn’t succeed. However, she was determined to try again, emphasising her belief in perseverance.

This time, Alice completed the certification, a testament to her dedication and growth mindset.

Alice also highlights the importance of preparation. She attributes her success to having a strong technical foundation and carefully planning her study time. For aspiring financial planners, her story offers a valuable lesson: with commitment, continuous learning, and strategic preparation, anyone can thrive in this dynamic profession.

Alice’s experience is a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, persistence and learning can lead to remarkable achievements.

Learn more about the free resources we have on offer to support you to become a CFP professional in the UK go to our website: www.lockieconsultants.com

#YourFinancialPlanningMaestro #podcast #CFP #CertifiedFinancialPlanner #CISI

Alice's bio:

After graduating from Durham University with a BSC in Archaeology I started work in the financial services industry in 1998 with Lloyds TSB Independent Financial Advisers.  

After obtaining my Financial Planning Certificate in 2001 I moved into a technical Compliance role. 

I went on to achieve Chartered Financial Planner status and fellowship of the Personal Finance Society in 2013, remaining in various Compliance roles during my nearly 18 years with the Lloyds Banking Group, gaining a vast array of experience across a variety of roles including; assessing suitability of advice, conduct and risk monitoring and complaints. 

I moved to the network In Partnership in 2016, first as a Paraplanner before once again moving to a technical Compliance role where I have used my knowledge to respond to various complex technical enquiries, as well as conduct focused project work. 

I recently became a Certified Financial Planner in July 2024 and am now also a Chartered Member with the CISI. 

Don’t give up on becoming a CFP professional!

One simple but vitally important message from this week’s #YourFinancialPlanningMaestro podcast guest. 

We talked to Oluwaseun Apta about his journey from joining a graduate program in banking and wealth management, seeing the positive impact on clients of good investment advice, becoming a financial crime specialist.  After doing some research into what CFP meant to clients and other CFP professionals and realising what a positive impact he could have on potential client’s lives if he became a CERTIFED FINANCIAL PLANNER, he worked outside office hours to become a CFP professional and start his own wealth management business. 

What a journey it was.  Throughout that journey Oluwaseun was 100% committed and determined to pass the #CISI level 7 case study assessment. 

We talk about his entire route to CFP via level 4, level 6 exam and finally, the approach he took to pass the level 7 case study financial plan assessment and become a CFP professional. 

We also talked about the impact that his experience had on the way he set up his new business and his approach with clients. 

His advice? 

Thank you Oluwaseun for sharing your journey and advice. 

Listen now by searching #YourFinancialPlanningMaestro on YouTube or wherever you stream your podcasts. 

#CFP #CertifiedFinancialPlanner #FinancialPlanning #CISI #podcast 

Oluwaseun Apta bio: 

Oluwaseun Apata CFP™, Wealth Manager at Bright Star Wealth Management, is an experienced professional in the financial services industry. In the last 12 years, he has worked with some of the largest financial services firms, namely AXA Mansard, Standard Chartered Bank, KPMG, NATWEST, and Barclays Bank.  

Having spent the last 5 years in financial crimes as a contractor, he successfully transitioned into financial planning out of a desire to help people plan towards achieving their long-term financial goals.  

Today, he is qualified as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and on a mission to support as many people improve their financial wellbeing and obtain peace of mind.  

Seun believes that financial planning, if done the right way, can make a significant difference in people’s lives. You do not need to have millions in the bank before you seek financial advice. Whatever stage you are in life, you can start by laying the right foundation and build on it until you achieve your desired goals. 

Seun is married with 2 lovely kids. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and watching movies. 

Do not underestimate the time commitment to become a CFP pro! 

In the first episode of series 10 of #YourFinancialPlanningMaestro podcast we talk to Laura Ripley, Financial Planner at BRI Wealth Management, about her journey to become a CFP professional. 

We talk about the importance of: 

1. Planning out your time 

2. Not underestimating how much time it will take you 

3. Not leaving it until the last minute to start – you’ve just got you start somewhere! 

4. Obtaining support along the way.  Professional support will make a huge difference but don’t forget about family and friends. 

5. Identifying the hurdles in the financial plan creation process 

6. Knowing that it’s ok and natural to feel emotional at times – it is all part of the journey of self-improvement. 

Congratulations on passing on your first submission Laura and thank you for being open and honest about the ups and downs of your journey. 

Laura Ripley bio: 

I joined Financial Services in 2007 in a junior role and over the years have gained experience and qualifications in a range of areas. I have a real passion for lifetime financial planning, and I get great satisfaction from helping clients live their best lives. I’m an accredited Retirement Planning Specialist and hold the CFA IMC qualification alongside being a Chartered Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and now a Certified Financial Planner™.   I work at BRI Wealth management as a Financial Planner. 

Outside of work I am a keen runner, a (fair weather) cyclist and spend most my Saturdays exploring the local woodland/ countryside with my 6-year-old, Oscar. 

If you would like to learn more about becoming a CFP professional in the UK go to our website: www.LockieConsultants.com

#CFP #CertifiedFinancialPlanner #CISI #YourFinancialPlanningMaestro #podcast

In this week’s podcast episode, we talk to Ciaran Quinlan CFP™, Paraplanner at Close Brothers Asset Management, about his journey to becoming a CFP Professional following his return to the industry after a career break.

At age 25, having passed all his Chartered Financial Planner exams at the first time of asking, Ciaran took the opportunity for a career break to travel around the world. Returning to the UK after a year away, he decided to sign onto Jackie’s course and study full-time on the Level 7 Financial Plan Case Study to ‘ease’ him back into the profession…

‘Ease’ however was a short-lived descriptor of Ciaran’s CFP journey!

#CFP #CISI #OnlineCourse #podcast

Ciaran Quinlan bio:

As well as holding the Certified Financial Planner™ designation, Ciaran is a Chartered Financial Planner with the CII and a Chartered Member with the CISI.

Graduating with an Economics degree from the University of Nottingham in 2018, Ciaran first discovered financial planning as a career when researching for his dissertation on ‘Population Ageing’, which focused primarily on the viability of the State Pension in the future and consequently the urgent need for enhanced private pension provision.

At age 25, having passed all his Chartered Financial Planner exams first-time, Ciaran took the opportunity for a career break to travel around the world. Returning to the UK after a year away, he decided to sign onto Jackie’s course and study full-time on the Level 7 Financial Plan Case Study to ‘ease’ him back into the profession…

‘Ease’ however was a short-lived descriptor of Ciaran’s CFP journey!

Having encountered numerous initial stumbling blocks that required him to restart the case study from scratch several times, Ciaran was delighted to learn in October 2023 that he had passed the case study assessment first-time with a 99% pass mark in the assessment standards. Following on from this result, he is eager to share some tips for a successful submission.

Ciaran currently works as a Paraplanner at Close Brothers Asset Management where he started in January 2024 and is enjoying his new role, further developing his skills preparing and writing financial planning reports.

In this week’s podcast episode, we talk to Jane Jones CFP™, Director of Operations at Mackenzie Financial Planning, about her journey to become a CFP professional. 

Jane wasn’t fully prepared for what was in store for her and as she puts it, “I was unprepared and thought that I’d just do what I normally do with clients.  I hadn’t realised the scope of the assessment.” 

Despite the initial difficulties, Jane overcame those issues and passed on her second submission. 

Her approach to studying for level 4 and level 6 exams at the same time whilst running the back-office side of a financial planning business and being mum to three children, is remarkable. 

Some critical lessons we explore are: 

 She also explains what stress-foria is and how it helps her work. 

If you are about to apply for your CISI L7 case study this month, this is a must listen episode. 

#CFP #CISI #FinancialPlanAssessment #podcast 

Bio: Jane Jones CFPTM BA (hons) FPFS:

Jane is director of operations at Mackenzie Financial Planning. 

She achieved Chartered Financial Planner status and fellowship of the Personal Finance Society in 2022, and recently became a Certified Financial Planner in May 2024. 

Jane has worked alongside her husband Paul for almost 15 years, and together they run Mackenzie Financial Planning, a Chartered and Accredited Financial Planning Firm, specialising in providing holistic financial planning in the North West of England.  

Jane has a background in paraplanning, and was awarded Paraplanner of the Year at the Institute of Financial Planning Conference in October 2012. She also holds a degree in English Language from the University of Lancaster. 

Jane has 3 children, between primary and university age, and is happiest when she can spend time with her children and extended family.  

In this week’s episode we talk to the 2024 CISI L7 case study award winner Kyle Glowacki CFP™, Financial Adviser at Cavendish Ware, about his journey to becoming a CFP professional.

Kyle had a more unusual route to completing his CISI L7 case study assessment when becoming a CFP professional; in fact he did the CFP assessment twice over in two different countries! Not because he had to, but because he wanted to.

During the interview we talked about:

· How he became a CFP professional in South Africa

· Why he felt it was important to redo his certification when he emigrated to the UK

· How he found the two different countries approaches

· His approach to completing his CISI L7 case study financial plan assessment

· Which aspects of his financial planning skills have improved by doing the CISI L7 case study assessment

· Why you should stop thinking about it and just do it!

Congratulations Kyle on winning the CISI L7 award for 2024. We are pleased to have supported you with our Fast Track Course and 1:2:1s along the way to this fantastic achievement. All your hard work has paid off!

Listen now by searching #YourFinancialPlanningMaestro on YouTube or wherever you stream your podcasts.

#CFP #FinancialPlanning #CISI

Kyle is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professional and financial adviser at Cavendish Ware in the UK. He first attained his CFP certification in South Africa in 2013 before following the structured pathway to re-certify in the UK. This included earning the Investment Advice Diploma, Certificate in Advanced Financial Planning, and passing the level 7 case study to receive his diploma and UK CFP certification in 2023. 

The double CFP qualification showcases Kyle's commitment to the profession. Kyle advises aspiring CFP professionals to start early, consistently work on their studies, utilise external trainers, and manage their time effectively. He recommends setting short-term goals and taking breaks to manage stress during exam periods. Kyle credits the CISI for providing a structured qualification pathway, quality study materials, and a seamless overall experience. 

His CFP knowledge has enabled Kyle to progress from paraplanner to financial adviser, providing exceptional service to clients by understanding their lifestyles, goals, and building comprehensive plans to achieve and maintain their desired lifestyles throughout their lives. 

In this week’s episode we talk to Will Oswald CFP™, Financial Planner at Chiltern Hills Financial Planning, about his journey to becoming a CFP professional. 

Will had a more unusual route to completing his CISI L7 case study assessment when becoming a CFP professional; he missed a course, did some work on it unsupported and then embarked on a series of 1:2:1s to help create and execute a plan to pass. 

As Will’s honest account of what happened shows, having to undo some things and redo others to get his financial plan back on track and ready for submission was no mean feat.  But his determination and positive mindset won through. 

During this interview we talk about the ups and downs of his experience, how it is natural to feel overwhelmed at times but getting support and putting strategies in place can help enormously. 

We all have a different journey to become CFP professionals and in every case, those I’ve interviewed have explained that it has changed them for the better.  Will’s journey was no exception. 

Listen now by searching #YourFinancialPlanningMaestro on YouTube or wherever you stream your podcasts. 

#CFP #FinancialPlanning #CISI 

Will Oswald CFP™ is a Financial Planner and Director at Chiltern Hills Financial Planning Ltd.  

I am a Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Wealth Manager, with a master’s degree (MSc) in Wealth Management, a First-Class Honours degree in Economics and Finance and an Investment Management Certificate. I’ve been working in Wealth Management for over 8 years, working in various roles across Advising, Strategy, Investment Management and Technology.  

I help people align their money to meaning. Our approach is all about helping our clients live differently and believe good financial planning is as much about your life as it is your money. 

We are true goals-based financial planners, starting by really understanding what's important to clients (before even talking money!), and then we build them a life-orientated financial plan. This involves using cash-flow modelling to show whether their goals can become a reality and if they're not, how we can help them get there, with an emphasis on actionable, easy-to-implement advice. We offer a complete approach and advise on everything from investments, pensions, estate planning, tax-advantage investments to protection. 

Growing up in Devon, I enjoy living an active lifestyle and spending most of my time outdoors. I can be found appreciating great food and travelling with friends and family, keeping fit, teaching myself Spanish or supporting the Exeter Chiefs rugby team. 

In this week's episode we talk to Angela McAfee CFP™, about her journey to become a CFP professional.

Angela shares her journey from studying a degree in architecture to CFP professional and how she, like many, seem to fall into the financial planning profession.

During the interview we talked about:

* How her next-door neighbour helped her switch into financial advice

* Why she studied with CISI instead of CII

* The jump between level 4 minimum advice requirements and the CFP

* The vital tips and advice for those thinking of embarking on their own journey to become a CFP professional

Listen now by searching #YourFinancialPlanningMaestro on YouTube or wherever you stream your podcasts.

#CFP #FinancialPlanning #CISI

Angela McAfee Bio:

Angela's career in financial services has spanned circa 17 years, during which she has amassed a wealth of experience across a range of roles with local firms in Northern Ireland, in an outsourced capacity and with National firms.

Self-driven, she sought CISI's Level 7 Diploma in Advanced Financial Planning as a Paraplanner as she was keen to be on a similar knowledge level as the Advisers she was working with.

Outside of work, she leads a busy family life with 3 children and 2 dogs. They are embarking on their second self-build campervan to continue their off-grid travel aspirations.