Openwork’s specialist advice subsidiary Owl Financial is encouraging its financial advisers to expand their knowledge through protection qualifications.
Its aim is to help advisers be among the first to complete the recently introduced qualification Certificate in Protection (Certpro).
One of the firm’s advisers has already passed it.
More than 50 of Owl’s advisers have signed up for Certpro, which is looking to fill “a gap in the advice landscape and providing increased confidence for advisers and their customers”, the specialist firm said.
Owl was involved in designing the certificate and its content together with the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF).
Greater understanding
Certpro was unveiled by the LIBF in September 2020 and focuses on the different protection needs in the event of death, illness or disability, as well as training on the products that could be used and how suitable they are, alongside their application and underwriting process.
Pat McKenna, sales director at Owl, said the firm “is constantly looking at how we can support our advisers in further enhancing their skills and their professional development and we are delighted that one of our advisers has become the first person to complete the Certpro qualification”.
“Supporting the development and launch of Certpro underlines our commitment to delivering excellent customer service and demonstrating the professionalism of advisers.”
John Somerville, head of financial services at the LIBF, added: “There’s a real protection gap in our society, but there’s never been a more important time to build financial resilience.
“This qualification will not only help advisers meet the needs of a growing market but will build understanding among consumers about the value of protection advice and what products they should have in place. “
