Lowes Financial Management & Key Training

As one of the longest standing Independent Financial Advisers in the UK, Lowes have been providing sound Independent Financial Advice to their clients and their families for generations. Lowes team of highly qualified Consultants, Analysts and support staff collectively implement a personal approach to financial planning enabling them to help clients build, protect and pass on their wealth.

Jackie and Lowes, called on Key Training for Apprenticeship support.

Jackie is Lowes' Financial Controller

Jackie decided that upskilling with an Apprenticeship is the best way for her gain additional knowledge and qualifications.

Having already gained her ILM Diploma MMT level 3 with Key Training she naturally progressed onto Operational & Developmental Management level 5.

In Jackie’s time training with Key, her confidence has been boosted and there’s no reservation to show those advanced skills. She attends senior management meetings and inputs sensible, practical comments and solutions. 

Lowes as a whole, have benefited from Jackie’s enthusiasm and new focus on the business.

The company is focusing more on its strategic direction; Jackie carried out a company SWOT analysis, involving her team, so that it became a team bonding exercise. This SWOT analysis will be the basis for further discussion, to determine the future direction of the company.

Jackie’s projects

• Review and updating of the half yearly staff review forms – and completing these reviews with her team.
• Covid discussions, including the required covid risk assessment.
• The launch of a managed investment service for our clients.
• Assisting with the issue of half yearly reports to clients.
• Jackie is currently involved in the team to identify, analyse and select a platform which Lowes can use for all client investments.

Jackie explains, “I hold a management position, but when appointed, hadn’t completed any training. I first undertook and passed the ILM Diploma MMT level 3 and I am currently studying for the Operational & Developmental Management level 5 course. These courses have cemented my knowledge and encouraged me to be more involved in the management of the company. It has made me analyse my performance and consider how a situation could have been handled better, resulting in an improvement outcome.

The training from Key has driven my improvement. I am supported and encouraged in all of my endeavours and where necessary, pushed outside of my comfort zone. Being an older trainee, they have tailored the training tosuit my needs; I believe I am very different to the usual, younger apprentices. My mentors will go above and beyond to give me the help and support that I need.”

Nick Severn is Jackie’s Learning Coach and here’s what he says,

“Jackie is around halfway through the Level 5 Operational & Developmental Management Apprenticeship, and her progression is very good. She’s always professional, keen to learn and very well prepared for the webinars. Jackie contributes with fellow learners excellently on all discussions. She’s a great Apprentice with a passion for self-improvement and to learn.”

Dawn McDonald- General Manager of Lowes says, “Jackie’s mentors are efficient, organised and tailor their training to meet Jackie’s needs.”

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