Having been with Tailored Financial Planning for nine years, Gemma has seen the business grow from its early days into the well-established, close-knit team it is today.
“I originally joined through an apprenticeship with the Chamber,” she explains. “It gave me a great starting point in the industry.” From those early days on Claughton Street with a much smaller team, she’s watched the business evolve both in size and ambition. “Now we’re based on Corporation Street with many more colleagues – it’s been great to be part of that journey.”
While the business has grown, one thing that’s remained consistent is the team dynamic. “We’re all quite quirky,” Gemma says, “but we genuinely get along really well.” It’s something she feels makes a real difference day to day. “It creates a relaxed, enjoyable environment – which you don’t always find elsewhere.”
That sense of support carries through into the work itself. “The environment is really positive,” she explains. “It helps everyone stay motivated, collaborate better, and ultimately do their best work.”
Of course, no long career comes without a few memorable moments – some more successful than others. “I once made a cheesecake that was deemed the worst in Tailored history,” Gemma laughs. “Safe to say crackers are not a suitable base!” It’s a small moment, but one that perfectly captures the friendly, down-to-earth culture of the team.
Alongside the lighter moments, there’s also been a strong sense of personal and professional development. “Getting to meet clients and build relationships with them has been really rewarding,” she says. “And I’ve been able to develop my knowledge in finance over the years too.”
That client focus sits at the heart of everything the team does. “There have been lots of occasions where we’ve helped clients feel more secure and confident about their financial future,” Gemma explains. “Being able to take away that stress and give people peace of mind – that’s always really rewarding.”
Looking ahead, she believes the business is well placed for whatever comes next. “We’ve got strong client relationships, a supportive team, and the ability to adapt and grow as the industry changes,” she says.
If she had to sum up Tailored Financial Planning in three words? “Fair, supportive and personable.”
And as the business celebrates its 10-year milestone, Gemma reflects on her own time as part of the journey. “It’s been great to be part of it over the years,” she says. “Thank you to everyone for making it such a positive place to work – I’m really looking forward to what’s next.”
If you get in touch Tailored Financial Planning, chances are, Gemma is the first person you’ll speak to. You can find out more about her here.