Portfolio Financial funds staff studies with future in mind

Front and back-office staff at Swansea-based Portfolio Financial Consultancy have been ramping up their qualifications in an effort the firm believes is essential to future business growth.

Co-director Christian Roche recently passed the Chartered Insurance Institute’s (CII) new J10 discretionary investment management exam, the first ever sitting of which was in September.

Senior paraplanner Jon Foley hopes to achieve chartered status by October next year.

Two support staff have been studying for the Institute of Financial Services certificate in financial administration and planning, and two others are working towards the CII’s certificate in paraplanning.

Roche said the firm was funding all the studying, regarding it as an investment for future growth.

‘We recognise the importance of supporting all staff with study and qualifications,’ he said.

The firm’s business operations manager Gareth Jones is working with Gower College Swansea to launch and lecture on its level four diploma training courses. He said he was impressed with the staff’s enthusiasm for further study.

‘[For] the support staff who are not yet qualified, we are looking to get them started for January 2013,’ he said. ‘We are looking to provide a firm of core professionals. Those who are doing administration support will move into paraplanning, and those who are doing paraplanning will move into advice.’