Qualifications
Chesterton House has always placed heavy emphasis on qualifications for its staff. Up until recently, the sad fact was that less than 5% of financial advisers registered with the Financial Services Authority held more than the basic, rudimentary qualification required to gain their registration.
This is changing now as the Financial Services Authority progresses with its proposals to require all 'independent' advisers to hold a higher level qualification, broadly to degree level, and in our view these proposals are long overdue.
Andy Jervis was the first adviser in the area to achieve the Financial Planning Certificate when it was launched, having already obtained the Associateship of the Chartered Insurance Institute (General Branch), and went on to pass the Advanced Certificate later. He subsequently studied for and achieved the Certified Financial Planner qualification, requiring a detailed practical case study to be completed, and remains one of only five practising CFP licencees in the whole of Leicestershire at the time of writing.
Financial planning staff have been carefully selected based on their qualifications, knowledge and experience, in order to be able to provide comprehensive and detailed advice to our clients across the range of areas covered by their own Plan.
We hold regular training and development days, and you can learn about some of them on this site. We're committed to giving you the right advice, every time.
Experience
Qualifications without experience are like watching TV without the sound - you soon realise that something important is missing.
All of our Planners have plenty of experience to fall back on. Over many years of helping people from all walks of life they've come across a huge range of situations and circumstances, and they are well placed to help you too.
Our less experienced staff are mentored within our office and their work is thoroughly checked and monitored before they're allowed out of their playpen into the real world. We can assure you that they'll know a thing or two before you get to them. And if not, they'll have the benefit of a great team to fall back on.
Technology
We've always used machines extensively to simplify and automate our processes, and they are an essential part of our 'back office.' We use a wide range of data analysis, investment research and financial calculation tools to be able to serve you better.
You'll notice, though, that we haven't allowed the machines to take us over. For example, we've refused to install complicated menu systems that repeat meaningless messages about how important your call is to us. We hope you share our belief that the best way to demonstrate that your phone call is important to us is for it to be answered by a real person.
If, however, you'd prefer to speak to a computerised answering service, we can give plenty of numbers of other advisers to call.
Enthusiasm
Our whole approach is built on understanding your values and goals, and this applies to our Company and our staff too. We've taken time to ensure that our team members not only know what they're doing, they believe in what they're doing.
If you ever discover differently, tell us. We'll want to know about your experiences with us so we can continue to improve.
If we do a great job for you, tell us that too. We like to know you're happy, it's our reward for a job well done.