Tees Financial Academy marks 2nd year with 2 new starters

Last year, Tees Financial launched a new adviser academy, with an aspiration to train Financial Advisers who are new to the industry. Last August the team welcomed its very first two participants and now, a year on, we welcome two additional staff members.

The Academy is structured around a two-year apprenticeship programme which combines studying for the CII’s Diploma in Financial Advice, as well as hands on experience as a financial adviser.

New starters Ben Parkhurst and Megan Johns will be studying for their Level 4 Financial Adviser exams at the same time as shadowing the firm’s highly experienced financial advisers. The programme promises to provide Academy members with key objectives to take away from every stage and gives experience across the whole firm.

James Appleby, Managing Director of Tees Financial Ltd, said: “We’re really excited to be welcoming two additional participants to our Academy and are so proud to continue on our promise to harness and invest in the future of up-and-coming talent for financial advice.”

Ben Parkhurst from Chelmsford didn’t have a financial background before joining the Academy but did have friends who were in the industry and who had told him he could be a great fit. He originally planned on pursuing a career in engineering, “I completed an apprenticeship to become a mechanic before I came to Tees. I thought I wanted to go further in engineering, but then I changed direction and went into logistics. It was here that I realised I love client work, problem solving and talking to people.”

Ben came across Tees this summer and decided to apply for the Academy once he saw the volunteering and charity work the company get involved in, because it aligned with his personal ambitions. He plans on studying further to Level 6 once he has completed his Level 4 exams.

Another of our latest recruits Megan Johns who hails from the Bishop’s Stortford area, where the Tees headquarters are based, joined in August this year and has already completed her first exam on the Level 4 course. “At first it felt daunting to study and work at the same time, but I’m actually really enjoying it and have found it easier in a way because I get real experience in the office alongside one study day a week.”

Megan joined Tees originally as an admin adviser and although she liked the job, she became interested in The Academy at Tees Financial Ltd, once she learnt you don’t need any particular A Levels to be accepted and do well in the role. She said “I’m from the local area so I always knew about Tees but didn’t necessarily know too much about the financial side of the business until I joined. It really interests me, and I hope to progress to become a long-term member of the team once I pass all my exams!”

The Level 4 programme consists of six exams split across two years at the end of which, along with the practical work shadowing experienced advisers in the office, provides Academy members with the qualifications, knowledge and experience to take up a role as a financial adviser at the end of the term. There is also an option to continue studying to become a chartered adviser. The opportunity is open to anyone who in the words of Megan, is “hard working, willing to learn and a people person.”

The exams cover off topics such as financial services, regulation and ethics, investment principles and risk, personal taxation and financial planning in practice. The last exam comprises a written essay style format.

Last August, Tees welcomed Percy Sam – an Industrial Design graduate and Guy Pearson, who previously studied Exercise, Nutrition and Health at Nottingham Trent University. 

The Academy has been a change in direction for Guy who previously trained as a personal trainer before the global pandemic. He recalls, “I joined a large advisory firm after leaving personal training, but felt I lacked support and the tools I needed to study for my Financial Adviser exams, but at Tees I have been able to get on-the-job experience as well as lots of time to learn from experienced team members.” 

Both Percy and Guy are just a year away from becoming fully qualified and are advocates for others joining the Academy. Percy admitted, “The Academy wasn’t even on my radar, and I knew nothing about financial advising before joining Tees!”

“The Academy at Tees Financial Ltd offers an opportunity to become a qualified Financial Adviser in two years,” says James Appleby. “We’re looking for candidates with the right attitude and aptitude, regardless of past experience.”

The Academy at Tees Financial Ltd is committed to the rolling programme and aims to continue to recruit up to two new recruits each year. This forms part of Tees Financial Ltd’s longer-term growth strategy.

If you would like to find out more about our services or speak to a Tees financial adviser directly, call our team on 0808 159 7432, or fill out our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.

Tees is a trading name of Tees Financial Limited which is regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered number 211314. Tees Financial Limited is registered in England and Wales. Registered number 4342506.