IFAs Flying the Flag for Skills 
26th November 2008
At Buckles, Wales’ largest IFA firm, training and development is fundamental to the growth of our business. In 2002 we launched the Buckles graduate training and recruitment programme (GTDP) which has produced 36 graduates who are now fully fledged independent financial advisers and based at Buckles’ North Wales headquarters.
This year the programme has been expanded dramatically and we are taking in 11 graduates every quarter. On 6th October the latest recruits joined us and ahead of them lies a three year programme, which will see them emerging with the highest industry qualifications and an impressive client list. In addition, the programme has been recognised at the highest levels in the industry. In 2006, Buckles was awarded the Hallmark of Innovation at the IFS/Capgemini Financial Innovation Awards. The GTDP came first in the Most Innovative Training Initiative or Programme (Skills) category and beat entries from the likes of Barclays and LloydsTSB! More recently, Buckles has won the Widows award for Industry Initiative for the introduction if the graduate scheme.
Buckles’ business has been transformed since the launch of the GTDP. Historically, the firm was subject to high levels of staff turnover in its ageing workforce. Now, the opposite is true and not only do staff members stay and the increase in turnover, profits and headcount means that Buckles is the largest private employer in the seaside town of Rhyl.
Although, the programme takes three years to complete, trainees are able to advise clients after the first year.
One example is Sophie Webb, 25, who is a product of the GTDP. Sophie is from North Wales and took a degree in economics at Cardiff. She was offered jobs with Grant Thornton and Roll Royce on graduation, but chose Buckles instead. Now she is a fully qualified consultant and advised a wide range of clients for 3 years. Recently, she gained promotion and became the firm’s youngest ever sales manager.
Buckles is dedicated to having the best qualified team of advisers and by that we mean advisers holding the highest level professional qualification in the industry.
We feel very strongly about the role of the FSSC in helping to promote high levels of skill, which is so important in a business such as our which is very heavily regulated and whose consultants give life changing financial advice.
Nigel Speirs is Chief Executive Officer at Buckles Investment Services Ltd.
