Shipbuilders call for £1bn boost

A TEENAGER is leading the way in finance after becoming one of the UK’s youngest qualified female advisers.

Romany Youell, 19, works for NeedingAdvice.co.uk Ltd, a leading financial advice service based in Huddersfield.

And after qualifying she is now challenging the status quo and introducing greater equality into a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Specialising in wealth management and financial planning, Romany provides expert advice on pensions and investments to the firm’s new and existing clients.

Romany gained her Diploma for Financial Advisors (DipFa) qualification, and became a fully qualified mortgage broker, at just 18, highlighting that there are many avenues to success beyond the university route.

She continues to focus on professional development despite landing her new role, remaining at the forefront of the financial industry and constantly adapting to changing landscapes with support from her mentors at Rosemount Financial Solutions (IFA) Ltd.

Romany’s story is an anomaly in the financial sector, where the average age of UK advisers currently stands at around 55.

This is one of the biggest obstacles facing financial businesses today, with an estimated 15,000 advisers expected to retire over the next five to 10 years, potentially creating significant challenges in an industry which is already struggling with the UK skills gap.

With only 26,000 advisors operating across the country, it is expected that firms will need to follow Needing Advice.co.uk Ltd’s lead in expanding the candidate pool.

“We are delighted to welcome Romany to the team, and incredibly proud to be developing a truly diverse workforce of incredibly talented advisors from different backgrounds and with different experiences,” said Damian Youell, NeedingAdvice.co.uk Ltd’s company director.

“Diversity and equality have long played a vital role in how we operate, and we fully believe that our focus on these areas is what’s helping us support our clients in the very best way.

“Romany is a fantastic and exciting addition to the team, bringing in fresh, new ideas.

“While we are confident in her abilities, as one of the youngest female advisers in the UK Romany does set very high standards for herself, and this is reflected in her work with her clients.”

Romany studied at the Quilter Financial Adviser School in Manchester.

The establishment is committed to encouraging more women to enter financial advisory roles and supporting underrepresented talent to thrive in male-dominated fields.

Currently, it’s estimated that just 11% of financial advisers in the UK are women, highlighting the urgent need for change.

The Quilter Financial Adviser School provided Romany with the knowledge and confidence needed to break the glass ceiling, and she is very proud to be playing a role in this important movement, and to be acting as a role model to her gender.

Romany is a fantastic and exciting addition to the team, bringing in

fresh, new ideas.

THE UK’s maritime industry is calling for Government investment to boost shipbuilding and create tens of thousands of jobs.

Trade body Maritime UK said £1bn was needed to be spent on green technology and infrastructure to help turn the tide on a “shrinking” shipbuilding industry.

Ben Murray, chief executive of Maritime UK, said: “The Government must give the industry what it needs.”