My Journey to Swann Financial: From Potential Client to Employee
Choosing the right financial adviser to handle your pension can be a daunting task, and for me, it was a significant decision. After leaving the pharmaceutical industry, where my pension was managed for me, I embarked on a journey to find the right provider. I was also briefly working on an idea of starting a charity, which eventually led me to Swann Financial, a company that not only provided answers during turbulent times but also offered me a unique opportunity as an employee. Here's my experience and why I chose Swann Financial.
Seeking the Right Financial Adviser
I began my quest to find the right financial adviser during a period of uncertainty marked by the Ukraine war and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was essential to understand how these events had affected pensions, and I had a specific question in mind that I asked three different companies: ‘Taking into consideration with what is happening in the world at the moment, what percentage on average have pensions taken a drop?’ Swann Financial was the only company that answered me with transparency. Other companies I approached evaded the question. This transparency immediately earned my trust and made me want to learn more about their services.
I had a long list of questions, and when I sat down with Andrew Swann, one of the founders of Swann Financial, I was impressed by his attentiveness. He not only listened to my concerns but also provided clear and comprehensive answers. He took the time to delve deeper into my situation, ensuring that his advice would be tailored to my specific needs. It was evident that I had found a company I could trust to manage my pension. Their commitment to honesty and regular reviews assured me that my financial future was in capable hands.
From Potential Client to Employee
During our meeting, Andrew Swann didn't just focus on my pension, he asked about my current endeavours. I shared my brief experience with trying to start a charity, but realising it wasn't feasible during these turbulent times. To my surprise, Andrew asked me to send my CV. I initially thought it was a polite gesture, but six weeks later, I received a call from the COO's PA, expressing interest in my background and skills.
Swann Financial had a maternity leave cover position in their Marketing department. My background in Sales, coupled with an advanced certificate in Marketing, made me a suitable candidate. The decision was made, and I embarked on a new journey as an employee of Swann Financial. Over the past year, I've come to appreciate the remarkable work ethic and values of the team.
My Journey at Swann Financial
My role at Swann Financial has been challenging but immensely rewarding. As someone whose forte wasn't Marketing, I was determined to be fully committed to the new role. I've been constantly learning and growing, pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone. This fresh approach to projects has been met with support and encouragement from my colleagues.
My responsibilities include managing face-to-face Inheritance Tax Planning Events, online social media posting, organising a yearly Charity Golf event, advertising, website content management, hosting online webinars, updating literature and presentations, and ensuring strict compliance in all our activities. I have found the culture at Swann Financial refreshing, an example of this promotes everyone leaving at 5 pm and departing together. The reason for this is that the company wants to promote a healthy work/life balance which resonated with me. Another example of this is the ethos in the office is that of continually working as part of a team and helping others out when possible.
My journey from a potential client seeking pension advice to becoming a part of the Swann Financial team has been both unexpected and rewarding. I've learned that their dedication to transparency, integrity, and the pursuit of excellence extends not only to their clients but also to their employees. I look forward to the coming year, supporting the company's mission to provide the best service to our clients, adapting to their needs, and ensuring effective communication in an ever-changing financial landscape. Swann Financial has truly become a place where I'm proud to contribute my skills and be a part of a team that values doing the right thing.
Written by Mary Jenvey
The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.
