“I wish more women would become financial advisers; it’s an excellent career but it’s not an easy life. The profession is dominated by men, but I urge women who begin a career in finance not to emulate the way men work. Women tend to have a unique skill set that is ideally suited to this role, and the ability to really listen and understand a client’s needs. To make life easier I would find a mentor: a woman, if you can.”
Christina Brady – Associate Director
“I’m proud to be a woman in finance. For almost 20 years now, I’ve been offering my support and advice to a wide range of clients, most notably expats living in Spain.
My advice to women starting in the financial services is: know your worth. Don’t try and conform to how others do things – be the best version of yourself and play to your strengths. Now more than ever you’re going to be dealing with female clients and you will be able to use your innate empathy to build a relationship of trust.
Also, be resilient. You may spend a lot of time answering questions on subjects outside of your area of expertise. It can be a hectic job with long hours so don’t forget to make time for yourself, whether that’s doing yoga, reading or enjoying a nice big glass of Rioja!
Lucia Melgarejo – International Financial Adviser
“Women need to support women. Share knowledge, share experiences and share insights – it’s this foundation that yields the most success, the best reputations and the highest levels of integrity.
I would sum up my approach to a career in finance as follows:
- Never sell yourself short
- Step up and take responsibility
- Know your objectives
- Pick a female mentor
- Run your own race
Working in financial services can present endless opportunities for those who cultivate positive, enduring relationships, always keep learning and put their clients at the heart of every effort.”
Manuela Robinson – Joint Country Manager
“Always be yourself, because that’s your biggest strength. Don’t think of yourself as a woman in a man’s world because you’re not – you’re an equally qualified individual and never forget it. Sometimes a woman is at an advantage in that we have a different set of skills, whether you’re a partner, mother, family organizer, party planner, listener or a friend!”
Rosemary Sheppard – International Financial Adviser
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.
One of the best pieces of semi-financial advice I ever received was about buying clothes: buy good quality (obviously) and then have the garment altered to fit me specifically; sound financial and sartorial sense. Of course, this means going a little further than one might normally when buying a new outfit, but it’s a little extra that I think is more than justified in the end. Ready-to-wear clothes are great without doubt, but having something that fits you perfectly gives a continued feeling of satisfaction with every wear, it’s so worth it. There are parallels to be made in my professional life as well; it’s such a pleasure to be able to offer clients advice and products that are tailormade to their requirements and fit their circumstances perfectly.
The UK has had an unprecedented period of low interest rates; 2009 saw the base rate drop to 0.5 and then last August down to 0.25. That’s eight years of extremely low interest rates. Whilst this has been great for borrowers and helps to keep the business economy afloat, it has been disastrous for those people in or approaching retirement. Annuity rates have been terrible for pension income returns and the bank rates for the people who have savings have been providing very poor returns.