Women In Wealth With Kerry Burgess
‘Women In Wealth’ is all about showcasing women in the wealth management industry who are thriving and challenging stereotypes. We feature real perspectives of what it’s like, the barriers and the breakthroughs.
Here, Kerry Burgess, Regional Advisory Services Manager at The Progeny Group shares her take.
What is your job title?
My job title is Regional Advisory Services Manager, and my role is predominantly to support the Financial Planners within the South region and the valuable service they provide to our clients while supporting the wider business and its wealth management service delivery.
How did you get into wealth management and what makes it the career of your choice?
I knew after completing my A-Levels that I didn’t want to go to university. Through the local careers office, I applied for an administration role to join Woolwich Life, the support centre behind their Building Society.
After five or so years as an administrator for Woolwich, MGM Assurance and Just Retirement, and having been made redundant twice due to company cutbacks/reshaping, I made the decision to join an independent financial planning firm, KMG Independent Limited. Over the next eleven years, I sat the CII Level 4 Diploma whilst working as a paraplanner and then taking up the role of Operations Manager and passing the CII AF8 Senior Manager qualification.
Upon leaving KMG, I wanted to ‘test the waters’ on the provider side again and spent the next two years as an Account Manager with Fidelity FundsNetwork. I enjoyed learning more about the platform and the mechanics of these, as well as getting to expand my knowledge and experience of the wider planner community.
Before joining The Progeny Group in October 2024, I held the People Operations Director role with First Wealth, where I feel I grew and developed more in people leadership. I sat the CIPD Level 5 Diploma on People Management Practices during lockdown and then just prior to starting with Progeny, I signed up to self-fund the CIPD Level 7 qualification, which is a master’s degree in People Management. This is a two-year course, which I am due to complete in the summer of 2026.
The beauty of our profession is that whether you are in year one or year twenty-eight (like me!) there are so many opportunities to continue to grow and learn!
Are there any barriers you have faced as a woman working in the wealth management industry, and how have you overcome them?
I began my career in wealth management back in 1997, and it wasn’t unusual to be the only woman in the room at events, especially outside of an administration role. Fast-forward to 2025 and not only can you expect to see more diversification from a gender perspective, but the fact that our profession is beginning to attract individuals from all walks of life, including (finally) recognising more neurodiversity and the benefits and strengths that can be achieved when you move away from the typical carbon cutout and stereotype of our profession previously. Long may this continue!
What do you like the most about being a woman in wealth management?
I admire many women who have made a mark in our profession, I could name half a dozen to a dozen here, and thankfully year-on-year the list continues to grow!
I trained as a coach and mentor because I wanted to ensure I was able to support and enable others to achieve their personal and career goals, whilst also supporting businesses and business owners with their service delivery and growth strategy.
I’ve always had a passion for supporting new people into the financial services profession, especially where we have been able to increase diversification including attracting more women into Financial Planner and senior leadership roles.
I like that the audience in the room is changing and off the back of that women in our wider community are starting to look after their own financial wellbeing, we are seeing more female entrepreneurs, and we are now beginning to witness the additional benefits within our business of having diversity around the boardroom table!
What advice do you have for a woman wanting to get into wealth management and those wanting to advance?
Firstly, I would suggest gaining your professional qualifications, not only will this open more doors, but will also massively help with the pay structure you are offered.
Secondly, get involved! Look out for webinars and seminars from leading people within the profession. Listen to podcasts relating to not just financial planning, but careers in general, I’d recommend Women Talking Money, Gretchen Betts, The Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis Byford, Executives in Wealth Management, Tom Spencer, Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes, NextGen Planners, Her Future is Bright and It’s Not about the Money, Catherine Morgan.
Thirdly, get your LinkedIn profile up to date! Connect with those individuals within the profession that you admire, or who produce content you are interested in. Write your own content and build your network and community.
More than ever, financial planning is a profession which is brilliant for women wanting to build a career and succeed during all the various stages in our lives, including having a family or simply juggling life and a career. Most companies are looking to attract more women into Financial Planner and senior leadership roles, so now is the time to join in and excel!
If you would like to get involved with the blog series and share your story as a woman in the wealth management industry, we’d love to hear from you. Follow us on LinkedIn for more!
