Women in Finance – series of blogs, episode 13

Louise Headifen, Paraplanning Manager

In our latest instalment of Women in Finance, we had the pleasure of speaking with Louise Headifen, Paraplanning Manager at Foster Denovo. Louise shares her professional journey, offering insights and guidance for those looking to start and grow their careers in the finance industry.

Within this edition, she takes us from her early career to her current role, providing an honest reflection on her experiences and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Reflecting on her early career aspirations, Louise shared; “I have always wanted to get into finance. When I attended my first careers fair in school, I was drawn to the opportunities within the industry. I was intrigued by the idea of working in the city as it all seemed so glamorous to me. However, when I left school in 1991, the economy was not looking very good to say the least. The housing market had collapsed, interest rates were high, and inflation was soaring. I was just 18 and didn’t grasp the implications. However, I knew I needed a job, so I sent out countless letters with my CV (this was before the internet) and eventually landed an interview with the Charity Commission, part of the Home Office at the time. I started as an Administrative Assistant dealing with corporate actions like rights issues and bonus shares.”

Louise’s career path took many unexpected turns, leading her into Compliance around the time of the millennium, and eventually into the world of financial advising. “I never intended to become a Paraplanner, but sometimes opportunities arise, and it is only after you seize them that you realise it is exactly what you want.

Now, as Paraplanning Manager at Foster Denovo, Louise is focused on making sure her team is a success. “My role is to make sure the team are happy and well-prepared for their daily tasks. We aim to deliver reports within 10 working days, while managing the expectations of our Advisers. I believe it is so important to have great teamwork and open communication in my role.”

Managing and fostering a supportive team culture are also priorities for Louise. “I try to absorb a lot of the pressure that comes with the job, so my team can do their best work. Whether they are a summer intern like Alex or a Senior Technical Paraplanner like James; everyone’s input is valued, and we have a lot of knowledge sharing and collaboration within the Team.

I think the best part of my job is managing people and being the point of contact for new acquisitions. I am strong on team culture, relationships and understanding. We help each other out, and that really reflects the values of Foster Denovo.”

Louise has already developed so much at Foster Denovo. From starting as a Paraplanner during lockdown, to becoming a manager within a year. “One of the healthiest things you can do is interact with people of different age groups. It is fantastic to see the younger Team members reaching milestones, like buying their first home or getting married, the rest of us are making do with children’s exams and our dogs!

I think the support I have been given in my journey at Foster Denovo has been fantastic, especially from Jo Butler and Alli Charlton who have been great supporters of my career progression. I have had the freedom to innovate and make significant contributions, like revamping our client reports, which has been widely embraced.”

Finally, Louise offers her perspective on entering the industry and the positive strides for women in finance. “While choosing the right university course can be important, in finance, professional qualifications are paramount. For those considering a career as a paraplanner, university is not always the best route. An apprenticeship, where you can immediately start working towards the relevant qualifications, might be a more effective path.

At Foster Denovo, we foster a genuinely positive attitude towards women in finance. With a significant number of female managers, we are creating an environment where everyone feels empowered. I do not see a distinction between men and women in the workplace, everyone should be treated equally as we are all here to work hard, achieve our goals, and to have fun.”