The Intermediary – June 2025 - Flipbook - Page 79
B RO K E R B U S I N E S S
Opinion
Why brokers
must take their
own advice
E
very broker understands
the value of planning.
It’s the foundation of
good advice. Day in,
day out, we sit down
with clients to build
tailored strategies that suit their
circumstances, whether buying their
first home, moving up the ladder, or
planning for later life.
We ask the right questions, dig into
the details, and ensure that the plan
reflects not just where they are now,
but where they want to be.
Essentially, brokers help their
clients look at the bigger picture, and
then build a plan that supports it.
But brokers need to ask themselves
when they last took that approach for
themselves and their businesses.
Keeping pace
We’re an industry that prides itself on
professionalism. Brokers today are
more qualified, more client-focused
and more ambitious than ever. But the
pace of work can be relentless.
Client demand is high, regulation
is always evolving, and staying on top
of market trends is a full-time job in
itself. With all of that to juggle, it’s no
surprise that many brokers never quite
find the time to sit down and think
about their own business goals. And
yet, this is arguably one of the most
important things you can do.
Without a clear sense of direction,
even the most talented broker can
plateau. You may be excellent at
servicing the needs of your clients,
but are you moving forward yourself?
Are you building the business you
always wanted? Are you preparing
for the next stage of your professional
journey, whether that’s expansion,
diversification or even succession?
Every broker’s ambitions will be
different. Some may want to broaden
their proposition, moving into
holistic financial planning to offer
more to their clients. Others might
want to specialise, having pinpointed
the opportunity to become the go-to
expert in a particular niche.
For those in the later stages of
their career, the focus might be on
retirement – how to create a smooth
exit and secure the value they’ve
worked so hard to build.
Time may be tight, but unless you
devote some towards a plan of your
own, then you may start to stagnate.
The right support
This is where a network can prove
invaluable. The right network should
help you plan, not just trade. It should
offer space to step back and reflect, as
well as delivering the tools, training
and support to help you take action.
Most importantly, it should see you as
an individual, not just a number on
a spreadsheet.
That’s always been our philosophy
at Rosemount. Every year, our brokers
are invited to take part in one-to-one
strategic planning sessions. This
isn’t a performance appraisal, but
rather an opportunity to get a beer
sense of what those individuals want
to achieve.
These sessions have led to all sorts of
outcomes. In some cases, we’ve helped
brokers transition into full financial
planning, enabling them to retain
more client relationships and grow
their income streams. In others, we’ve
helped structure succession plans
for those thinking about retirement
– sometimes years in advance,
ensuring maximum value and
minimal disruption.
There isn’t one ‘correct’ route for
everyone, which is why it’s so crucial
to come up with a personalised plan.
You wouldn’t advise a client to make
AHMED BAWA
is CEO at Rosemount
Financial Solutions (IFA)
With all [they have] to
juggle, it’s no surprise that
many brokers never quite
find the time to sit down
and think about their own
business goals”
big financial decisions without
thinking about their future, so why
would you leave your own to chance?
Not just clients
The reality is, your future deserves
just as much thought and aention as
your clients’. It may not always feel
urgent, but it is important.
So, take that step back. Book time in
your diary, away from client meetings
and admin.
Ask yourself where you want your
business to be in two, five or 10 years’
time. Then speak to your network
about how they can help you get there.
If you’re with a network that values
your individuality and is willing
to listen, support, and strategise
alongside you, then you’re already on
the right path.
Ultimately, brokers must apply
the same long-term thinking and
planning that pays dividends to
clients, to their own businesses. ●
June 2025 | The Intermediary
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