Celebrating Suzy’s journey to Fellowship
Our Chartered Financial Planner, Suzy Shepherd, has recently achieved her Fellowship of the Personal Finance Society – and we couldn’t be more proud of her!
Only held by 5,000 working practitioners, Fellowship is the highest level of qualification within the PFS. Attainment is globally recognised as an indicator of expertise and experience – both of which Suzy has a wealth of. Suzy’s commitment to her studies and professional development is truly exceptional and is certainly something to be celebrated.
We sat down with Suzy to find out more about her journey to Fellowship, with the hope that sharing her success will inspire others in the financial services industry.
How did you get into the industry?
After completing my A-Levels, I wasn’t totally sure what I wanted to do as a career, so I deferred my place to study law at Manchester University for 12 months. My plan was to earn some money over the summer whilst I considered my options for the coming year, and so I accepted a 3-month temporary role at a Building Society.
Like so many, I entered the industry by complete accident. There were no apprenticeships or degrees available specifically for the Financial Services industry at that time.
I never left the building society, and the temporary role was made permanent. I was lucky to have a branch management team who wanted me to further my studies and grasp opportunities. They arranged for me to sit three financial planning papers, with all time and resources funded by my employer. I passed all 3 exams within 12 months and then got accepted onto a trainee adviser program. The rest is history!
Estimates suggest female advisers are outnumbered by male counterparts by a ratio anywhere from 10:1 to 6:1. What would your advice be for women trying to get into this sector?
There definitely aren’t enough women in advisory roles, but it’s much better now than when I first entered the industry as a twenty-something female adviser. I encountered a lot of prejudice from peers and clients, but those experiences made me more determined to succeed as far as I could in the industry.
Thankfully, the landscape has changed for the better and now employers, clients, and peers welcome female advisers. This is no longer an industry for men alone, women have a valuable and valid contribution to the profession. The industry is very flexible, which is great for the work-life balance. I would encourage any women who are considering a career in the industry to give it a try. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and no doubt be surprised at how rewarding it is.
What is meant by the ‘Fellow of the Personal Finance Society?
A Fellowship is the highest designation that can be awarded by one of the two industry bodies – the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). It demonstrates to my clients and peers a commitment to self-improvement and the adoption of values, standards, and behaviours at the highest level.
How does it feel to be a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society?
I feel honoured and accomplished to have been awarded this accolade. The years of commitment to study, whilst having a family and a demanding job to juggle, have finally paid off. I’m absolutely thrilled!
What did it involve?
Sacrifice, perseverance, dedication, and that’s not just from me, but those close to me too. My family and colleagues, from my first Manager at the Building Society to the fabulous team here at Wealth Experts, who have given me enormous encouragement, resources, and help to keep going when it was tough to continue. It’s been 20 years since I sat my first ever financial planning exam but to get from Chartered to Fellow has taken around 18 months.
What prompted the decision to get to this stage?
I achieved Chartered Status in 2020 and I thought my study days were over. For two weeks I breathed a sigh of relief and resisted the urge to go further. I was so mindful of the sacrifice that I and my husband and daughters, as well as my parents, had made for me to achieve Chartered status; I didn’t think I could do more or that it was fair to ask this of my family.
In the end, the call to achieve the highest pinnacle of the profession was too strong for me to resist. I needed to demonstrate that women can be successful in this industry and achieve recognition at the highest level.
I chatted this through with my family, it was of no surprise to them. They secretly knew my strive for self-improvement would lead to this point.
What does this mean for your clients?
This Fellowship demonstrates to my clients a deep commitment to my role and the enjoyment I get from being part of the profession. It demonstrates my ability to help them achieve their dreams. It differentiates me from the masses and as a member of a prestigious group of advisers who are committed to their clients.
I hope this proves to my clients that I’m there for them through any ups and downs – I’m committed to helping them achieve their financial freedom.
