Financial Adviser Academy Fellowship

The Aviva Financial Adviser Academy Fellowship recognises financial advisers who have made significant strides in developing their profession. The appointed fellows will become the beacons for professionalism in the Financial Adviser Academy community and wider financial services industry.

We are delighted to announce the Academy Fellows for 2011

This year, we have three worthy winners of the fellowship. Here’s what they have to say about their success and their hopes for the profession.

Emma McMahon

"I went straight into the financial services industry from university 8 years ago and haven’t looked back since. Times are changing and it has amazed me just how quickly the industry has evolved over this period; I am certainly embracing the many regulatory changes and am excited about working in an industry with standards of professionalism that inspire consumer confidence."

Rachel Styles

"An enthusiastic advocate of the paraplanner as a crucial role within financial planning, it is gratifying to witness the increasing prominence of paraplanning within the profession, which I am passionate about promoting and supporting.I am a strong believer that everyone involved in financial planning, including those in supporting roles, contributes to the ever increasing professionalism of the field; and that working hard to achieve and maintain technical excellence is a large part of this: I was delighted to be awarded the PFS Highest Achiever in the Diploma in Financial Planning 2010 for the highest marks and number of distinctions nationally, an achievement which reflects the commitment and skills of financial planning support teams everywhere."

Read Rachel's article on the use of paraplanning support to enable an RDR-ready business model.

Gary Walsh

"Diligent and devoted financial adviser with 10 years industry experience keen to promote the virtues of independent advice and assist in its proper recognition as a profession. I believe strongly in the financial education of the nation and the move toward greater transparency in all areas of financial advice."

The Academy Fellows for 2010

Thomasina McGuigan

"I have been in the financial services industry for 13 years and now, as a compliance professional in a world increasingly affected by regulation, I want to consider solutions that work with the regulations to enhance rather than restrict business potential.

We need to recognise that there are huge numbers of advisers with a wealth of experience who now have to meet RDR qualification requirements and I want to look for ways for the industry to move smoothly towards that objective."

Read Thomasina's blog on identifying gap fill and deciding on the route for completion.

Eugenie Cameron

"Having started on the bottom rung of the profession 10 years ago as a group scheme administrator, I have worked hard over the years to pass a wide range of financial planning qualifications, before finally becoming a Chartered Financial Planner in a large accountancy practice. I am willing to share my experiences and offer any help to those following a similar route."

Tina Thackery

"During the 14 years I have worked in financial services, I have had a number of various roles within the IFA community which means I have seen the development of the IFA role from many different angles. I am not shy about putting my own views forward and vehemently stand for an increase in the public’s perception of our professionalism and integrity, which is long overdue."

Read Tina's article 'Tips on passing the CII exams'.