Throughout our business, we are committed to giving young people the opportunity to progress. That’s why we were one of the first businesses to sign the Social Mobility Pledge.
Becoming a Social Mobility Pledge accredited employer demonstrates commitment to accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds. The Pledge was launched by Justine Greening MP and the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility in Spring 2018, and over two million UK employees are now covered.
Over the coming weeks we’ll be taking a look at how our commitment to social mobility over the years has helped to support career progression in our business.
Tom Robertshaw DipPFS, Compliance Consultant
Tell us about your life and career before true potential?
Before joining True Potential, I had graduated from Newcastle University with a business degree. Studying business was great, however it is such a broad subject that it was difficult to decide what role to move into. I think this is a problem faced by a lot of graduates across the country. Thankfully I heard about the prospect of a role within True Potential and snapped at the opportunity to join such an innovative organisation with a good track record of developing their employees.
How did you get started at True Potential?
I joined True Potential as a marketing assistant, whereby I was able to be involved in some interesting projects and produce plenty of marketing collateral.
What opportunities has True Potential offered for career development?
At True Potential if you work hard and get involved you will be recognised for your efforts. I was lucky enough to gain promotion from a marketing assistant to marketing executive within 5 months.
Early on in this role I was given the lead on the production of our Annual Report, a major project which helped me to learn even more about the complexities of our business. This was a demanding project, but ultimately so satisfying to see the final product, Past, Present + Future – 2017 Annual Report.
I also worked closely with our excellent Content Marketing Executive, learning skills such as video production. However, the more I began to understand financial services, the more I began to realise that my skillset would be better suited to other areas of the business. True Potential understood my ambitions and allowed me to move onto the True Potential Academy.
Tell us about the True Potential Academy?
The True Potential Academy is a fast track programme to gain the CII’s diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. The course is intense and requires commitment and dedication in order to pass all of the R0 modules. Thankfully thanks to the training and development offered by True Potential, I managed to pass all of the exams.
What skills have you learned at True Potential?
Aside, from the technical skills that I learned during the academy, I have recently developed my presentation skills by showcasing the new annual suitability review at the True Potential Seminars.
How do you see the Social Mobility Pledge in action at True Potential?
From my own experience, True Potential has a company culture based on trust and taking on responsibility, no matter what your background is. This is crucial for unlocking young talent – an opportunity which I believe many employers miss out on.
What do you enjoy most about working at True Potential?
You can tell that True Potential have got a great hiring policy, as I met some very talented people. But more importantly, there is a clear ethos that if you show commitment you will be rewarded with opportunities to progress in your career.
What are your hopes and ambitions for the future?
In the next couple years, I am going to undertake several level 6 exams, with the aim of eventually becoming a chartered financial planner. However, I understand that to get to that stage I still have plenty to learn, which requires time working in the industry.
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