Sesame Bankhall Group, a subsidiary of Aviva, has rolled out an apprenticeship scheme almost four years after it sold off the Financial Adviser School it established.
The apprenticeship scheme, which is in partnership with training specialists Simply Academy, is aimed at helping advisory firms across the Sesame Network, PMS Mortgage Club and Bankhall to bolster their staff development and recruitment.
It is available to firms based in England, across a variety of roles, including financial advisers, paraplanners, mortgage advisers and financial services administrators.
Lisa Winnard, group people and service director at Sesame Bankhall Group, said: “Apprenticeships are growing in popularity as an effective and cost-efficient solution for ambitious advisory firms who want to develop their people and bring new advisers on board.
“Combining SBG and Simply’s expertise and reach through this structured programme will open up a valuable new training and development avenue for mortgage, protection and wealth firms.”
Study programme
Apprentices under Sesame Bankhall Group’s latest venture will follow an approved study programme leading to a recognised industry qualification, such as Level Four Diploma, along with developing the necessary business and behavioural skills for the role.
Martin Schultheiss, group managing director of Sesame Bankhall Group, added: “At SBG, we exist to ensure that advisers remain at the absolute centre of all advice, and to achieve this it’s imperative that our profession builds a sustainable future by attracting and nurturing the next generation.
“Research has highlighted a future workforce that’s looking for flexibility, freedom, uncapped earning potential and an entrepreneurial flavour – all of which our industry can offer.
“We’re truly excited to be leaders in strengthening the adviser industry, so that consumers get the access to professional advice that they so desperately need.”
International Adviser reported on a report by trade association Libertatem, The Heath Report Three (THR3), which found the financial advice industry has been experiencing a steady decline in both the number of advisers and active clients.
Selling off school
The Financial Adviser School, set up by Sesame Bankhall Group in 2011, was sold to Intrinsic, now part of Quilter, in 2016 and relaunched, after the organisation decided to wind down operations.
Stephen Gazzard, then managing director of Sesame Bankhall Group, said in 2015: “We will no longer recruit new people into the school because we will not be able to offer them a prospective home in wealth firms within our appointed representative network.”
