Financial Adviser Lin Tops Her Profession

Greater wealth, divorce and the prospect of longer-than-ever retirement are all reasons why increasing numbers of women need professional advice on money management.

No-one is better equipped to offer such help than businesswoman Lin Ashurst, who has just won the UK’s leading award for female financial advisers.

Lin, head of financial planning at Paradigm Norton, Bristol, clinched the ‘IFA Woman of the Year’ title, beating 70 other contenders, at a gala dinner at London’s Canary Wharf at the weekend.

As a Certified Financial Planner, Lin (57) is one of the most highly qualified advisers in the country. The award puts her at the top of the growing ranks of women in what is usually regarded as a male-dominated profession.

While her clients include both sexes, Lin believes that women financial advisers can bring a different perspective and often more ‘user friendly’ approach than men to issues such as pensions, tax plans and portfolio management.

“There are more and more women entering the profession – and more and more women needing independent financial advice,” she says. “Growing wealth, and the prospect of longer-than-ever retirement, mean that money management is something which should never be left to chance.”

The IFA award, organised by the Women’s Financial Adviser Group (WFG) and sponsored by AXA, Scottish Equitable, Capita and BM Solutions, recognises the growing success of women independent financial advisers and the important contribution they make to the personal finance sector. The award is in its fourth year.

To win, Lin and the other finalists went through a rigorous selection process including exams, interviews and written submissions. Candidates were assessed on all the abilities required to be a top IFA, including technical prowess, analytical skills, professionalism, integrity and self-management.

Fiona Price, founder and chairperson of WFG, says: “These awards are symbolic of a significant change happening in our sector, namely the coming of age of women. Women have proved themselves to be outstanding advisers at the top of their profession and are amongst the most highly qualified.

“With their focus on holistic and long-term advice, they give tremendous confidence to the public. Over the next 10-20 years, as the majority of older male advisers retire, many women will take their places and, I believe, this will change the face of our profession for the better.”