Schroders Personal Wealth has partnered with a not-for-profit organisation to help attract new talent to the financial planning industry.
SPW has become a strategic partner of The Verve Foundation, part of Cathi Harrison’s The Verve Group, on its ‘We Are Change’ training initiative and help draw people into the industry.
We are Change is a not-for-profit initiative helping individuals achieve their Level 4 CII Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and equip them with the practical skills needed to work in the industry.
As a strategic partner SPW will sponsor places on the scheme, helping to pay for the training, exams and upskilling of those looking to become financial advisers.
Commenting on the partnership Marietta Connery, people director at SPW, said: “We are proud to be supporting The Verve Foundation and be part of the We Are Change initiative.
“SPW is committed to training the next generation of advisers. We believe there is a need to bring more talent into the industry and rather than talking about this issue we want to be part of the solution by helping to get people qualified.”
Cathi Harrison, chief executive officer at The Verve Group, added: “The We Are Change initiative is made possible by the support of altruistic individuals and businesses who understand their role as change-makers.
“Thanks to Schroders Personal Wealth we have been able to launch our second cohort earlier this month.
“It’s both eye-opening and humbling to hear the personal stories from those students who this initiative is making a difference for – for many of them, it’s quite literally a lifeline and a chance for them to take their career in a different direction.”
Harrison said by removing the financial barrier to studying for a professional qualification such as the CII Level 4, there is a real chance to make a difference to those individuals and “attract high quality talent to the industry where, for them, the door would otherwise have remained closed”.
She added: “We talk a lot about ‘investments’ in our industry, but not enough action is taken when it comes to investing in the future of our industry.
“SPW is the first large firm to come on board as a key strategic partner to the initiative – sharing the values of the foundation and inspired by our mission – and it’s exciting to work with those who are prepared to stand tall and take action.”
This comes as last month, St James’s Place said it will be welcoming around 400 new members into its academy from 2022.
FTAdviser understands that previously the intake was approximately 250 candidates a year across London, Solihull, Manchester and Edinburgh.
sonia.rach@ft.com
What do you think about the issues raised by this story? Email us on FTAletters@ft.com to let us know
