Women In Wealth With Jelena Savonina
‘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, Jelena Savonina, Private Client Partner at Liberate Wealth, shares her take.
What is your job title?
Private Client Partner/Chartered Financial Planner.
How did you get into wealth management and what makes it the career of your choice?
Arriving in the UK at the age of 19, I enrolled on a pioneering BSc in Financial Planning programme at the University of Bradford and embraced the challenge of studying abroad. The opportunity to study financial planning came as a collaboration between academia and the local business community, which was looking to grow future talent well ahead of its time.
I joined the profession as a placement student in 2012 and worked my way from an administrator role to Operations Director and Chartered Financial Planner. Along the way, I have since taken joy in nurturing future talent through placement and internship opportunities in our business.
I believe that financial education is the bedrock of our resilience.
Are there any barriers you have faced as a woman working in the wealth management industry, and how have you overcome them?
The first hurdle I had to jump through was to find a placement. At the time, few opportunities were available, and competition was fierce. I learned early in my career that tenacity and being proactive payoff. I’m forever grateful to the academic and career support staff at the University of Bradford, who supported me on my journey.
As a woman, I’ve attended job interviews where I had to face gender biases and explain how I plan to balance a career and family life. It was a sign that perhaps it was not the right opportunity for me, so I kept searching until I found a company which saw potential in me.
In my early days, I hit a glass ceiling and did not have career progression opportunities. It was daunting to step outside the financial planning sector and join the HMRC graduate scheme to pursue career growth. In hindsight, I can say that if you are stuck, don’t be afraid to change things.
What do you like the most about being a woman in wealth management?
As an adviser, the impact of our work could be literary life-changing. It comes with great responsibility and the abundant gratitude I receive from my clients. I like seeing how emotional intelligence, coaching, and compassion feature more prominently in the work that we do.
With 60% of the UK’s wealth being owned by women by 2025, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime to be part of the transformation in the financial planning sector. Together, we can empower people to make better financial decisions and build stronger and more resilient communities around us. At Liberate Wealth, we strive to “Be Better” at everything we do.
What advice do you have for a woman wanting to get into wealth management and those wanting to advance?
Success is built one step at a time. Get involved, challenge yourself to grow and never give up. Don’t allow anyone to impose their limiting beliefs on you. There are many great people around who can support you along the journey. Join the financial planning community; we are an inclusive and friendly bunch.
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!
