Three financial adviser initiatives: Holborn Assets
By Mark Battersby, 30 Nov 16
In the latest of our series of insights from financial advisers across the world, Keren Bobker, senior partner of Dubai-based Holborn Assets sets out three initiatives she is taking to build the business along best practice lines.
Training and Competencies
Although I do not oversee a team of advisers (a personal choice), I am still involved in ongoing training, particularly for new joiners and newer staff. Holborn is embarking on a recruitment programme and is seeking only well qualified and experienced advisers to join the team, not just in Dubai but also in our other offices.
We provide in-depth training on a variety of technical issues, but being a competent adviser in the UAE is about far more than merely understanding the products on offer. Both our new staff and their potential clients need to know a great deal more than how a life policy or savings plan works.
There are issues around Sharia law that affect all residents in the UAE and it is vitally important that we ensure that clients are aware of the potential consequences in relation to living in the UAE as well as what happens to assets and dependents in the event of their death. The advice we provide has to take this into consideration as well as any potential home country tax issues that may arise.
With this in mind I will be providing training to new joiners on these topics: How Sharia law is applied in the UAE, banking issues, the legalities of working here, rental rules, laws regarding conduct, alcohol, defamation, and much more. This means that our advisers will be fully aware of many aspects of life in the Emirates and thus well placed to give the very best advice.
If you call yourself an adviser I believe you have a responsibility to your clients as most are busy people, relying on us to assist in providing for their futures and protecting their families. Not only must we be technically competent but we need to be caring and do the right thing.
Tags: Holborn Assets
