Hello everyone!
We're delighted to welcome Louise McMahon, Siobhan Sammon and Megan Cheyne, Academy Recruitment Managers at St. James's Place (SJP), who'll be here answering your questions about careers in financial advice.
Whether you're considering a career change, thinking about returning to work after having children or wanting to build your skillset in a new industry, this is your opportunity to ask your questions.
56% of wealth transferred by 2048 is projected to be inherited by women, but they remain underrepresented in the financial industry; only 18% of regulated financial advisers are female*. St. James's Place is passionate about encouraging more women into financial advice and is helping to break down some of the misconceptions about starting a finance career.
Many people assume that working in finance means you need years of experience, a degree in economics or to be brilliant at maths, but that's often not the case.
Whether you’re ready for a new challenge or returning to work, the Academy offers a clear path into advice. It’s designed to help you build a career with purpose, flexibility, and the chance to make a real difference.
Through the St. James's Place Financial Adviser Academy, women can retrain, return to work or build a completely new career with a fully funded training programme leading to a Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.
The Academy is designed to be flexible and provides support throughout the journey, from studying for qualifications through to becoming a practising financial adviser.
The experts are here to answer your questions about:
- What it's really like to be a financial adviser
- The skills needed to succeed
- Flexible working and balancing family life
- The St. James's Place Financial Adviser Academy
- Career progression, earning potential and day-to-day life in the role
Perhaps you've wondered...
- Is financial advice a good career for parents?
- What does a typical day look like?
- What kind of person makes a good financial adviser?
- What support would I receive during training?
- What's the earning potential?
- Am I too old to retrain?
Whatever you're curious about, no question is too big or too small.
Aboout the team
Louise McMahon: Louise is an Academy Recruitment Manager at St James's Place, helping people from a variety of backgrounds transition into rewarding careers in financial advice. A mum of two boys, now 18 and 16, she remembers how challenging the early years of motherhood could be when trying to focus on her own career. Louise is passionate about meeting women considering a career change or return to work and exploring what financial advice could offer.
Megan Cheyne: Megan is an Academy Recruitment Manager at St. James's Place, helping people explore careers in financial advice. After 12 years in the automotive industry, she made a big career pivot herself and understands first-hand how daunting a career change can feel. As a busy mum of three, Megan is passionate about helping women build rewarding, flexible careers that fit around family life.
Siobhan Sammon: Siobhan is an Academy Recruitment Manager at St James's Place. A mum of 2, she understands the challenges of balancing motherhood, work, family life & ambitions. She is passionate about helping more women, particularly mums, discover opportunities within financial services. Her mission is to show women that becoming a mum doesn't mean putting your ambitions on hold; you can still build a successful career and
show your family that it's important to pursue your dreams.
The team will be answering questions from 21st Septemeber until 28th September, so post your questions below and they'll answer as many as they can.
We're looking forward to hearing from you!