It’s been a busy year behind the scenes at Goodmans. As well as ensuring everything’s running smoothly for our clients, much of our team has studying hard for industry exams.
When it comes to learning and improvement, we’re not ones for standing still. We’re firm believers in building from within, giving our team the time, support and resources to expand their knowledge and gain qualifications. It’s a no-brainer, really – we get to keep and enhance the skillset of our staff, they get to progress in their career with us, and our clients get the best possible service and expertise. You could call it a win-win-win!
So let’s take a moment to celebrate our team’s exam achievements in 2022.
David Martin, Financial Planner
In August, David, head of our South Hams office, qualified as a Pension Transfer Specialist. He now joins Finbarr, Andrew and Holly in having the full expertise and authorisation to advise on the complexities of defined benefit/final salary pension transfers. This means that every Goodmans office has an in-house expert in this field, helping to streamline this process for our clients.
Find out more about David in his Team Spotlight
Sam Capstick, Financial Planner
Sam, based in our Exeter office, added another string to his bow by passing the Financial Protection (R05) exam in August. This demonstrates that Sam has a deep understanding of the issues and options for clients’ financial peace of mind, including insurance, life assurance and pension-based solutions. Then, in December, he sailed through the notoriously difficult Personal Taxation (R03) exam to show he knows the ins and outs of the UK tax system and the tax treatment of income and investments for individuals and trusts.
Find out more about Sam in his Team Spotlight
George Gilham, Paraplanner
After passing the Financial Services Products and Solutions (LP2) exam with flying colours earlier this year, Exeter-based George gained his Certificate in Financial Services. Now that he’s completed the Financial Services, Regulations and Ethics (R01) module this summer, he’s got the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in his sights. He took another step closer by passing the Personal Taxation (R03) exam along with Sam in December. As this unit has the lowest pass rate of all the R0 modules, it was especially good to get this one ticked off on in time for Christmas!
Thomas Clark, Trainee Financial Planner
When Tom nailed the Pensions and Retirement Planning (R04) exam back in January, it meant he’d ticked off all six units needed to achieve the Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. For someone new to financial services, he got there with lightning-quick speed. Next stop: the Level 6 Advanced Diploma – he’s already passed the Retirement Income Planning (AF8) module, so it’s full-steam ahead!
Find out more about Tom in his Team Spotlight
Beyond qualifications
Industry exams aren’t easy and it takes a lot of study and commitment on top of the day job to pass and progress, so we’re really proud of our high achievers.
Of course, in the business we’re in, gaining the relevant qualifications is par for the course, ensuring our staff have the right knowledge and financial planning capabilities. But for us, it’s not just about ticking regulatory boxes. Qualifications are one thing, but quality financial planning is about so much more than technical know-how and passing exams. We’ll never stop striving to improve in other ways to enhance the client experience.
And you just can’t teach the values, enthusiasm and people skills that makes our team and our client relationships so special.
Keep it up, team!
