Member Article

Financial services specialist invests in apprenticeships

A national wealth management specialist with a century of heritage on Tyneside is upskilling its workforce by investing in apprenticeships for the first time.

Newcastle-based Brewin Dolphin has teamed up with Gateshead College to hire three business administration apprentices, who will embark on a two-year training programme designed to equip them with a wide range of skills needed to forge a career in the industry.

James Capstick, Jerome Hardy and Matthew Tulip will undergo on-the-job training at Brewin Dolphin’s Newcastle office, in the Business Support function where they will gain a sound understanding of the business and develop specific competencies in finance operations, IT, admin and the financial services regulatory environment. They will also benefit from a mentoring scheme to assist them through their apprenticeship programme.

At the end of the programme, developed by Brewin Dolphin and supported by Gateshead College, the apprentices will gain a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Business Administration – a nationally recognised qualification that could lead to higher level study.

It’s the first foray into the apprenticeships market for Brewin Dolphin, which is looking to develop a pipeline of new skills that can support the expansion of the business. With a network of 28 offices around the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland, the company recently struck a £28 million deal to acquire Duncan Lawrie Asset Management (DLAM) to take group funds under management to more than £36bn.

Locally the company’s origins can be traced back to the formation of a partnership between Frederic Wise and Herbert Benjamin Speke in Newcastle in 1903. Wise Speke was acquired by Brewin Dolphin in 1998.

Richard Buxton, human resource director at Brewin Dolphin, said: “The apprenticeships are a great way of bringing new skills and fresh ideas into the business. The training has been adapted to support the goals and growth plans of the Newcastle office, which will help us as we look to consolidate our position as the leading investment and wealth management specialist in the North East.

Robert Irving, head of Newcastle business support, continues: “The partnership with Gateshead College promises to be a fruitful one and we’re working with the organisation to recruit four additional apprentices who will start in April.”

Ivan Jepson, director of business development at Gateshead College, said: “We are thrilled to be working with such a prestigious national company as Brewin Dolphin that has had roots in the North East business community for more than 100 years. Our aim is to help Brewin Dolphin build a professional, skilled workforce for the future through bespoke apprenticeships, and provide a training solution that ensures they see the best possible return on their investment and which offers real career progression opportunities for the individual apprentices.”

James said: “I’m thoroughly enjoying my time at Brewin Dolphin. The apprenticeship has allowed me to get my foot on the career ladder at a well-respected company and I can earn a wage while I learn and develop new skills.”

To find out more about Gateshead College and the business courses on offer, visit www.gateshead.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Gateshead College .