Welcome to another Staff Spotlight here at RetireInvest. We’ve been talking to Financial Adviser Michaela Robson, finding out how her career started, what she loves about her job, and her favourite client success story.
Read on to find out more!
How Michaela’s career began
Michaela left school at the age of 16 to begin her career in financial services as a cashier for Barclays Bank, before moving to Aviva at 18 to support financial advisers and their clients as a Relationship Manager.
“Although I have always worked in the financial services industry, I have only recently transitioned to the role of financial adviser,” Michaela says. “It is just so rewarding to help clients achieve financial security and peace of mind. Seeing how thoughtful financial planning can positively impact my clients’ lives and give them the confidence to retire comfortably is a great feeling.”
The proud moments
Michaela’s favourite part of her job and the thing that she is most proud of in her career is the relationships she has built with clients.
“These relationships are built on trust and care, often spanning many years,” she says. “It’s rewarding to know that my work has helped people through important life stages, from buying a home, sending their children to university, to finally enjoying their retirement.”
She also has a favourite client success story from her time as a Business Development Manager at a large life insurance company. “In that role, I worked closely with financial advisers to support their clients with retirement planning, pensions and estate planning,” Michaela says. “There was a particular case where I helped an adviser navigate a complex Inheritance Tax issue for one of their clients. By suggesting the right strategy and tax-efficient investment solutions, we managed to significantly reduce the Inheritance Tax liability. The client was relieved, knowing their family would benefit more from their hard-earned estate. That experience reinforced how impactful good financial planning can be, and it’s one of the reasons I’m excited to now be in a position to provide that advice directly to clients.”
The tough moments
Although she loves being a financial adviser, there are some parts of the role that Michaela finds harder than others. She explains, “I think the toughest part of my job is keeping people calm when the markets get shaky. Even though we’ve planned for ups and downs, it’s natural for clients to feel nervous when they see their investments fluctuate.” She continues, “It’s challenging but important to help them stay focused on the long-term plan rather than short-term market moves.”
Michaela believes that understanding goes a long way to making clients feel comfortable, even during difficult times.
“I think empathy is key to being a good adviser,” she reflects. “While technical expertise is important, it’s crucial to understand clients on a deeper level: what motivates them, what are their fears and their long-term goals? Building trust and offering reassurance, especially in uncertain times, is what sets great advisers apart.”
Some fun facts about Michaela
Had Michaela’s life gone a different way, she might never have become a financial adviser at all! In fact, she dreamed of being a vet as a child. “I’m still passionate about animals and enjoy spending time with my dogs,” she says.
“If I had a superpower, it would definitely be the ability to see the future,” Michaela admits. “In financial planning (and just generally), that would be an invaluable asset, allowing me to guide clients with absolute certainty and eliminating much of the anxiety around financial decisions.”
We think every financial adviser would love that ability, Michaela!
Finally, Michaela says that if she were a Little Miss character, she’d have to be Little Miss Helpful. “It resonates with me because I’m always striving to support my clients and make sure they have clarity and confidence in their financial decisions. It’s all about being there for them when they need it most.”