Finding my feet in Wealth Management

Tom joined us for a week of work experience this summer, and we were struck by his attitude and dedication from the very start, at times we had to encourage him to call it a day! He threw himself into a research-based case study covering UK investment and portfolio management, working with the team to model financial goals for an imagined client, before presenting his findings and recommendations. Here’s what Tom had to say about his time with us…

Modelling a client’s financial future

My work experience at Chadwicks centred on learning and research. I was tasked with building a thorough understanding of the current UK environment for investing and managing portfolios on an individual basis, using a case study based on an imagined client, Olivia Bennet. This began with in-depth research into the systems, structures and vehicles that shape investment philosophies. Olivia’s goals included upsizing her home and retiring comfortably at 60, and my job was to model a plan that would meet these goals with minimal risk. Using Excel and Voyant (cash flow modelling and financial planning software), I modelled different scenarios and their average returns on investment. This culminated in a presentation to two team members, Alex Meadowcroft and Stirling Watt, where I explained the decisions I’d made and the trade-offs involved in my plan. I really appreciated their feedback and the constructive questions that followed, which helped push my learning further.

Learning from the wider team

Throughout this process, I was supported by individual conversations with other members of the team, particularlyAngela Brett, Associate Director and Marketing Head, and James Bacon, Associate Director and Chartered Financial Planner. James helped me understand how Chadwicks manages clients’ wealth, and how the team builds the kind of trust that reassures clients to invest with them. Angela showed me how Chadwicks manages to stand out and innovate among much larger firms by breaking down the strategy behind how they connect with clients. In an industry full of competing wealth managers, Chadwicks stands out for how it listens to and addresses clients’ concerns, while drawing on decades of experience.

Building confidence

My placement at Chadwicks has been incredibly rewarding. Before starting, my knowledge of the financial services industry was fairly limited and mostly academic, but I’ve come away with a much richer, more practical understanding. I was a little nervous at first that I wouldn’t have much to contribute beyond a personal level, but as the placement went on, I grew more confident sharing what I’d researched and learned. Everyone in the team was welcoming and generous with their time and knowledge, which helped me settle in quickly and get the most out of the experience.

Why I’d recommend it

I’d strongly encourage other young people to take up a similar placement; the depth of experience at Chadwicks, combined with the team’s genuine willingness to help, makes it a brilliant environment to quickly build real knowledge of wealth management.