A BURY financial advice firm is celebrating after two of their workers were named finalists in an awards category recognising industry trailblazers.

Sarah Kendell and Jenny Loftus have been shortlisted in the Financial Adviser of the Year North category in the Women in Financial Advice Awards 2020.

The Women in Financial Advice Awards celebrate the achievements of trailblazing women working within the financial advice community and also the broader financial services sector in the UK.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in London in October.

With more than 1,300 nominations across the different categories, the competition for this year’s accolades is set to be steep.

All nominees were asked to fill in a detailed questionnaire, to describe their achievements in the workplace, the people and objectives that drive them to reach for more, and their involvement in projects that help raise the profile of financial services as a career for women.

The Financial Options Group is one of the few financial advice houses in the UK that is evenly split across genders, up to and including the senior management level.

The group said this has not been achieved via an initiative, but simply by consistently recognising the relevant skills of individuals, and developing talent in-house through career development opportunities and mentoring.

One of the finalists, Sarah, recently received Chartered status, a distinction which requires five or more years of experience and successful completion of the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (APFS) – a rigorous course, demanding around 1,000 hours of study.

Women who attain Chartered Status are outnumbered by male colleagues six to one, meaning the girm believes recognising Sarah’s accomplishment and raising the visibility of women like her will be key steps in encouraging women to pursue meaningful careers in financial advice.

A member of The Financial Options Group team for the past 18 years, Sarah plays an instrumental part in business strategy and management of our firm, and provides impartial, expert guidance to clients.

Sarah said: “I was absolutely delighted to hear that I had been shortlisted for the Adviser of the Year North Award.

"It is a very special experience to have my hard work and achievements, particularly those which I have received over the past year, recognised in this way.

"I couldn’t be happier to represent the Financial Options Group and to be shortlisted among some of the most dynamic and inspiring advisers in our industry.”

Jenny Loftus, who joined The Financial Options Group as a trainee paraplanner before progressing to management, said: "I was surprised and felt very grateful to nominated – even more now to be a finalist.

“Determination and staying motivated really do pay off. I hope to lead by example, to inspire a new generation of young women to pursue a career in financial advice, and to make my colleagues, friends and family proud.”

Group CEO Christian Pepper said: “On behalf of all of the Financial Options Group advisers, staff and partners, I’d like to express how immensely proud of Sarah and Jenny we all are.

"Through all that they have accomplished, their ongoing hard work and dedication they are unquestionably worthy finalists.

"Although bringing home the award in October would be the icing on the cake, in our eyes they are already winners.”