Learning at Work Week: Ruby Angus-James, Financial Planning Associate

At Attivo, we place significant emphasis on developing our staff, and believe our company’s long-term success relies on our employees’ ongoing growth, whether through learning from colleagues, participating in internal training, taking financial planning exams, or other formal qualifications.

To support this year’s Learning at Work Week, we want to showcase our in-house Academy, which helps individuals achieve their Level 4 diploma in regulated financial planning and acquire the skills to become trainee financial planners.

The theme of this year’s Learning at Work Week is ‘Learning Power’, which examines how lifelong and continuous learning empowers us to transform, develop, and reach our personal, team, and organisational objectives. This aligns closely with Attivo’s values and goals regarding our Academy and Trainee Financial Planner development programme.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your past experience 

Before joining Attivo, I was at Quilter Financial Services as a client services executive. I studied Politics and International Relations BA at the University of Sussex (completed 2020), followed by an MA in Corruption and Governance (2021).

I chose to go into financial planning as I am ultimately a people person, and this career will allow me to help others reach their financial goals. I was always interested in finance, so this felt like the perfect fit. I started in a client services role in a different financial planning company, with no idea this was the trajectory I wanted to take. I was exposed to what financial planners do day-to-day, which is what originally sparked my interest.

What drew you to the Academy programme in the first place?

I was drawn to the academy because of the high level of support on offer in the form of structured learning and resources available from R01 through to R06 (R01 is the first exam towards the Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning; R06 is the final exam) with a cohort of peers. I was also keen to benefit from my mentor at Attivo, who has mentored me throughout the process, and other colleagues who had already completed their Diploma.

What did you hope to achieve?

My primary goal was to achieve my Level 4 Diploma, in a manageable timeframe, and gain a real understanding of the content that I could apply in my work and career development.

How has the academy helped you achieve your personal goals?

The academy has supported me in getting to the end of my diploma through regular catch ups, tips and structured sessions. I have found the academy a motivating source behind my own self-study.

Is there anything you’ve learnt that you weren’t expecting?

I have unexpectedly learnt a lot from the soft skills workshops, particularly the GREAT customer service framework, and factfinding with clients.

What are the highlights of your experience so far?

My experience in the academy has been only positive. I enjoyed getting to know my peers during group work, and bouncing ideas off each other. Coming to the end of my diploma study has been really rewarding.

What are your next steps?

My next steps are to move into a Trainee Financial Planner role within Attivo, and continue onto the advanced diploma.

Would you recommend the TFP programme?

I would definitely recommend the academy. I have grown in confidence and am now able to apply my learning from R0 studies to my working life, and am excited to progress forward in my career.

Thanks, Ruby!

If you’d like to talk to us about academy opportunities, get in touch.

If you’d like to explore your options for financial planning, why not talk to Attivo? Our team of Chartered Financial Planners happy to help to make the process a smooth one. Call us on 01242 585444 or clientservices@attivo.co.uk.