Lee Hollis joined the forces straight after school and served for over a decade before starting a career change with the St. James's Place Financial Adviser Academy. Fast forward, and Lee is now a thriving member of the Partnership and was even nominated for the Inspiration of the Year award at the 2024 Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards in February. Read on to find out how the Academy supported him through his journey…
"Throughout my military career, I assisted colleagues with financial matters, mainly saving money and investing in property. However, when my partner became pregnant with our daughter Sophia, I realised I needed a new career path. I stumbled upon the SJP Academy through LinkedIn and decided to apply despite doubts about my qualifications. Fortunately, I connected with my Partnership Recruitment Manager, who reassured me that many advisers come from diverse backgrounds."
"With his guidance, I navigated the application process and entered the Academy. Despite facing personal challenges, including the loss of my father and a baby, I found immense support from my development manager, which helped me persevere." You can expect dedicated support throughout your Academy journey from your first interaction with us, starting with our Recruitment team, who will help you make an informed decision; then our Academy team, who will support you through the programme; and finally, our Growth and Development team, who are here to help you thrive in the St. James's Place Partnership once you've graduated.
Reflecting on his journey through the Academy, Lee recalls, "Specifically, the Academy helped me to understand the difference between sales and providing advice. It wasn't just a one-size-fits-all for each client; we went through each solution and discussed what type of client might suit it, which I still use to this day. I enjoyed the face-to-face meetings in Bristol and Manchester as they showed that we weren't alone and that other colleagues were going through the same struggles. It was great to bounce ideas off of each other." Our Academy programme has been carefully designed to engage and challenge through a blend of digital, live and practical learning opportunities, and our blended approach ensures flexibility while still offering that all-important sense of community. Our academists are doing this for themselves, not by themselves.
Term 3, when advisers achieve Competent Adviser Status and start advising clients, was a highlight for Lee. He explains, 'It was fantastic as it broke the advice process down into specific areas, and we studied them all further. I found the life planning exercise particularly useful, and I use it in every meeting to draw out some goals and aspirations of clients.'
Lee has now graduated from our Academy and is a fully-fledged financial adviser, although he’s currently enjoying paternity leave after welcoming a baby boy on Mothers Day 2023. "After completing the Academy, I joined Maplewood Wealth Management in Glasgow, where I've flourished. Now, I'm passionate about sharing my knowledge and conducting seminars for soldiers and other short-term careerists like athletes. I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for the education and guidance of the SJP Academy, and I'll always be thankful for the support and guidance from everyone involved."
If you would like to know more about how to start your journey to become a financial adviser, click here to download our brochure or get in contact with a member of our academy team.