So, put simply, what is Wealth Planning? We turn to Wealth Planning Advisor Michael to explain it best: “We help clients identify what they and their families are trying to achieve now and in the future. The solutions to these objectives may be straight forward or they may be more complex.”
How can Wealth Planning create value beyond wealth?
Wealth Planning Advisors Michael and Kevin know just how big of an impact their work can have on clients. Using their professional skills, Michael says it is important for the team to identify “what wealth means to a client” and “how they may wish to improve society for the better”.
Closer to home, being part of the Wealth Planning team enables employees to have an impact outside of work. Kevin adds that the team create immediate impact through volunteering: “We became Chiltern Rangers for a day to clear streams of foliage and rubbish. I have been proud to see the value created from me and my teammates’ efforts.”
Whether it’s becoming volunteer gardeners for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice or participating in a charity bike ride from London to Zurich, the team actively support the causes that matter both to them and to Julius Baer.
What are the biggest challenges of your job?
When facing new challenges, we can grow exponentially. Paul, Wealth Advisor, finds that each day, and client is different. “Client’s and their family have unique circumstances and objectives – which, as a Wealth Planner – we need to consider. It helps that whilst we approach all clients with a blank canvas, there are common threads across all clients as they will typically want to ensure they have sufficient means to meet their lifestyle and retirement needs, whilst also wanting to pass wealth down the generations in a controlled and effective way.”
Paul clarifies that the team are “agnostic about the type of structure a client uses” when providing financial advice. Formerly a family-owned bank, Julius Baer understands that financial decisions impact more than just the individual. Therefore, every piece of advice given is structured around the client’s best interests.
How does Wealth Planning fit into Julius Baer?
Managing Director Senior Advisor, Jamie, describes the way in which the global Wealth Planning team work together as “a key differentiator” for Julius Baer. The team are also able to provide clients with access to a network of support. Jamie affirms: “We cater to our clients’ needs – whether domestic or international.”
As Nicola, Head of Wealth Planning UK Support puts it, “We are the glue that holds the team together, the little cogs in the big wheel." Wealth Planning Support member Ollie adds: “Everyone could benefit from Wealth Planning in some way. Hence why in the UK we have interactions with most Relationship Manager teams within Julius Baer UK. We are a key part of the offering at Julius Baer, putting structures in place to maintain, preserve and pass on a client’s wealth.”
Working at Julius Baer
To deliver such great service to clients, it’s important to collaborate on all levels. “Working with high quality colleagues” is what Paul believes makes Julius Baer a great place to work. He praises the ‘can do’ culture “where individuals are listened to and can make a difference” as one of Julius Baer’s strengths.
Ollie adds: “It’s a rare occurrence to work with a group of so many personable and high-quality individuals, who are happy to give you their time to share knowledge.”
On a personal note, Glenn’s experience has taught him that the only constant in life is change. “We deal with complex wealth situations, and our winning advisory approach means consistently finding the best specific solution for every client circumstance,” he adds, illustrating that the team keep clients’ best interests at the forefront of what they do.
Being part of the Wealth Planning team
So, what does it take to be part of the Wealth Planning team? Michael has the following advice:
“It’s about deciding what you want in a job and understanding what it practically entails. Do you want to be at your desk all day, out all day, or a mixture of the two? Do you crave learning and knowledge? If the answers to these are (i) mixture and (ii) yes – then this may be the right fit for you. If this is something you wish to pursue, then the earlier you start taking the professional exams the better.”
Kevin builds on this: “Qualifications provide the foundation of a great career but are only the first building blocks – as experience is a key component to build success. Having a thirst for knowledge can make the process of learning, which never really stops, a thoroughly enjoyable journey.”