News

Our Independent Financial Adviser Hannah Heslop, discusses her advice for young women today and encourages financial empowerment.

When people think of a Financial Adviser, a man in a suit will often come to mind and they would not be wrong, this is reflective of an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated for a very long time.  However, the number of women in the industry is rising, and I am proud to be part of this.

More and more women are qualifying at advanced levels and moving into the role of Financial Adviser as the financial services industry evolves.  Whilst I am the only female Financial Adviser within the David Allen Financial Services team, the team is predominantly women, with over 60% of the team being female, providing a diverse environment in a typically male dominant industry.  The increase of women in a professional capacity is accompanied by a growth in the number of women now seeking financial advice.

This is especially prominent when it comes to advice regarding pensions.  Research suggests women in their twenties are on course to retire with approximately £100,000.00 less in their pension pot than a man of the same age (Scottish Widows Women and Retirement Report 2020). One of the reasons I find my role as an Independent Financial Adviser here at David Allen Financial Services so fulfilling is the idea that I am supporting and guiding women to plan financially for their future, in the hope that when they come to retire, they have equal opportunities and a pension pot that will provide them with the ability to retire on their terms with the income they want.

When I was in my twenties, the thought of planning for my retirement seemed a million years away, it was simply not a priority of mine, I spent my disposable income purely on fun, material goods and experiences.  Then along came my daughter and our home, they became my priorities.

But here I am, in my early forties wishing I had started earlier.  This is a message I want to get out to younger women, who like me, at 20, don’t think saving for their retirement is a priority.  I want to educate and encourage young women to be financially smart and break the bias and to mothers, it is so important to consider your plans, particularly if you are going to take a career break, maternity leave or return to work on reduced hours.

I would recommend to anyone looking to plan for their future or wanting to learn more about their options to seek advice, feel empowered and plan ahead!  If like me you did not prioritise this in your earlier years, it’s not too late to start.

Please do not hesitate to contact myself or one of my expert team members to discuss your options.