Two Cumbrian financial planners are aiming to inspire more young people into the sector.
Alice Wilkinson and Roger Jackson, who work for Financial Management Bureau in Kendal, are both undertaking roles with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
The CII is a national professional body established with the aim of maintaining public trust in the insurance and financial planning sectors.
Ms Wilkinson is the chair of the Kendal branch of the CII, while Mr Jackson sits on the board of the national body as engagement officer for financial planning.
Ms Wilkinson said: "The role is about engaging people that are in the industry so that they know they're part of something bigger and that there is a community of others that are like-minded.
"It's also about inspiring those younger people that might then join the profession.
"The most common route out of school is that you go to university and you get a job in a city.
"But there's a lot of opportunity locally."
Ms Wilkinson, who previously worked in the insurance industry, was inspired to gain her qualifications to become a chartered financial planner after connecting with FMB through a CII networking event.
Her role at the Kendal branch of the CII involves organising and overseeing its activities throughout the year.
She aims to ensure Cumbria’s financial professionals are aware there is a central organisation they can join to network and share their experience.
She is also aiming to encourage more diversity into the industry to reflect the team at FMB, who have a lower age than the sector average, and also an equal split between men and women.
The CII has a membership of 120,000 nationwide, of which 39,000 are financial planners, with the rest working in insurance.
It aims to ensure its member companies meet certain trading standards, as well as being the examining body for trainees and providing ongoing professional development.
The 700-member Kendal Branch of the CII is the only remaining branch in Cumbria covering the whole of the county.
Members of the local CII, including Mr Jackson, go into schools to educate young people about financial management and potential careers.
Mr Jackson said: "You've got more and more demand for financial planning, but less and less people doing it.
"It's about growing the profession, whether that's through attracting new talent or retaining existing advisors who are coming to retirement."
Mr Jackson, who joined FMB at the age of 18 and now sits on its board, says the institute also works with its membership to grapple with issues such as financial education to help people avoid fraud and promote financial resilience, as well as helping those on middle or low incomes access money advice.
He said: "We want to be at the forefront of the wider conversation around finance and the issues that those in the sector and our clients are facing in order to help provide the best service possible."
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