Pros
- A handful of genuinely talented and hardworking colleagues who made difficult days more bearable.
- Some clients were fantastic to work with and deserved far better than the service culture that existed behind the scenes.
- Occasional social events were enjoyable.
- Thursdays in the City were often a highlight, and a group of us regularly enjoyed trips to The Folly and Eastcheap Records after work.
- The business has the potential to be a genuinely great place to work if the underlying progress and cultural issues are addressed.
Cons
- Toxic masculinity and a culture where inappropriate behaviour was too often excused as “banter”.
- Advisors openly mocking clients and making disparaging comments about people’s finances behind closed doors.
- Inappropriate comments about female employees that were tolerated for far too long.
- Favouritism and nepotism, creating the perception that opportunities were awarded based on relationships rather than merit.
- Career progression based more on office politics than performance.
- Being effectively trapped in a paraplanner role despite repeatedly expressing a desire to progress into a Financial Adviser position.
- Commuting from afar, for this opportunity, the workplace culture came as a genuine shock. I expected a professional financial planning firm but instead encountered an environment where ego, bravado and office politics appeared to carry more weight than professionalism and competence.
- Poor leadership and a lack of accountability when concerns were raised.
- High staff turnover and poor morale.
- A significant disconnect between the company’s stated values and employees’ day-to-day experiences.
- Empty promises regarding development, progression and professional growth.