Discovering the world of financial advice at Chadwicks

The week that strengthened my interest in finance.

Having just finished my first year of A Levels in maths, economics, and geography at Norwich School, I was keen to see how the ideas I’d learned in class translated into real decision‑making. My week at Chadwicks gave me the perfect chance to do that. Before starting, I was excited but also slightly nervous; I wasn’t sure how much I would understand or how easily I’d settle in.

Those nerves disappeared almost instantly. From the first morning, everyone was welcoming and happy to involve me.

Something I really enjoyed…

Throughout the week I sat in on team meetings, including investment and client discussions with James Bacon, which helped me understand how advisers think and communicate. It gave me a real insight into what being an adviser is actually like. I also completed a case study, analysing a client scenario and presenting my recommendations, with support from Alex Meadowcroft. This pushed me to apply my economics knowledge and explain my reasoning clearly, something I really enjoyed.

I also got a brief look at the marketing side of the business, which I hadn’t expected. It was fascinating to see how Chadwicks communicates its values and approach to clients, something I’d never really thought about before. Another surprise was how quickly my confidence grew. By the middle of the week, I found myself asking more questions, contributing more, and understanding far more than I expected when I first walked in.

What I will take away…

What stood out most was how welcoming the team was. Everyone took time to explain things properly, which made the experience enjoyable and easy to learn from. I really appreciated how willing people were to answer any question I had, no matter how small. By the end of the week, I felt far more confident exploring different parts of the business and understanding how everything fits together.

My time at Chadwicks has strengthened my interest in finance and shown me how analytical thinking and people skills come together in the real world. It was inspiring to see how financial concepts play out day‑to‑day inside a real firm, and it’s left me excited to explore this career path further.

By Henri Boyd

July 2026