AFIRM Flexible

Tell us about your career journey so far

Throughout my GCSEs and A-Levels, I knew I wanted a career in finance as that would enable me to work as well as study in Jersey. While still at school I started working at a local financial advisory firm to gain experience in the finance industry.

When I finished Hautlieu, I started a full-time job at the same company and after a year and a half, I realised that becoming a financial advisor was not for me. My original interview for my next role was meant to be for a job in performance and rewards management and at the last minute it was changed to private wealth, which was the best thing that happened to me career-wise.

I used to think that not going to university might set me back or make me less attractive to employers, but that has been far from the case, Since joining Ogier, I've been promoted to assistant manager in our Private Wealth Services team and I continue to develop and grow in my role.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I get to deal with a range of luxury assets, charitable causes and really interesting people on a daily basis. The opportunities are unlimited, from the possibility of travelling for work, to growing relationships with our clients so we can best look after them and their families for generations to come.

I also enjoy how every client is different and you need to tailor your style of working to suit them and their family. I enjoy getting to know people who have really interesting backgrounds, from those who started life with little to no money and worked to CEO of a company to individuals who have carried forward their family's businesses and continue to fulfil their ancestors' goals.

What do you look for in the culture of the firm you're working for?

For me, the most important aspect of a firm is that they look after their employees as well as their clients and actually deliver on this. Ogier has been incredible at supporting me through my career progression to an assistant manager and also during times when I have experienced personal struggles. This multi-dimensional support has made me feel privileged to work for such a great firm.

Ogier understands that a firm needs to look after its employees so they in turn can best look after their clients. Ogier is also focussed on continuous innovation to make life better for its clients and its people. The firm has many cultural initiatives in place surrounding diversity and inclusion, sustainability and wellbeing. The cultural values of Ogier are truly embedded day-to-day and this is very important to me.

As part of the firm's commitment to mental health and wellbeing, Ogier offered me the opportunity of becoming a certified mental health first aider last year. This training showed me how to look out for the signs and guide people towards getting the support they need.

Tell

us

About

your involvement in diversity and inclusion

Ogier has been driving diversity and inclusion for a few years and our knowledge as a firm continues to grow which helps Ogier be open and mindful of everyone's circumstances, across different ethnicities, genders, ages, disabilities , sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We have weekly 'Workshop Wednesdays' which inform employees about different subjects, from menopause and disability to LGBTQ+ topics , together with individuals setting personal objectives to keep diversity and inclusion at the forefront of their mind.

I was lucky enough to be part of the focus groups when the diversity and inclusion initiatives first started, and as part of that we reviewed Ogier's communications to make sure we're being inclusive.

What would be your advice to other young women looking to start a career in finance?

The best advice I would give young women is to have a good work ethic and surround yourself with people who support you and who you can learn from. I have been fortunate to have worked with some great people over the years, most of whom I still work with now. They have instilled in me the importance of being hardworking, dedicated and that you don't need to go to university to be a successful woman in finance.

How do you unwind outside of work?

Bikram yoga, a form of yoga which is completed in a room with a temperature of 40 degrees heat, is something which I started with a friend a few years back while I was going through a tough time. For me, having to focus on each pose with the added challenge of the heat enables my mind to focus on only that and nothing else. It's always helped me to unwind and it is great to have time without my phone or being in front of some sort of screen.