Since 2013 we have partnered with Bournemouth University’s Faculty of Management which comprises a range of courses that include areas of taxation, law, business and economics.

Each year we provide a 40 week placement to a faculty student, enabling them to gain relevant experience after completing the second year of their studies. In addition, we work with the University to host guest lectures, attend student coursework presentations, sit on the Faculty Advisory Board and provide feedback on the content of the degree courses. This includes making suggestions as to how the University can ensure its framework provides students with the relevant skills employers seek.

We view the partnership as mutually beneficial. While we are keen to encourage and help new and enthusiastic individuals gain access to our industry, we are also developing a defined career path for graduates who possess the relevant skills, with the aim of producing professional and technically adept financial advisers to the benefit of the financial services industry as a whole.

It is our firm belief that working with Bournemouth University not only makes a difference to the students we work with, but that our incubation and support of new talent creates a foundation that also enables us to continue to make a difference to our clients in future.

Evidence of this is our employment of Shannon Knight, who graduated from Bournemouth University in June 2017 with a first class honours degree in Accounting and Law having spent a placement year with us. Shannon has now achieved DipPFS status, the qualification needed to provide regulated financial advice. Her next goal is to become a Chartered Financial Planner.