Staff spotlight: Meet Rachel Heeley, one of our client relationship managers

Whether you’ve been a Cheltenham IFA client for one day or 10 years, you’ll know that there’s a whole team working hard behind the scenes to deliver your financial plan and help you achieve your life goals.

Of course, you might not get the chance to speak to everyone here when you get in touch with us, but it’s really important to us that you know who is working for you behind the scenes.

That’s why we’re starting our brand-new staff spotlight feature. Every other month in our newsletter, you’ll find an article all about one of our talented team members, giving you an insight into their role here at Cheltenham IFA and what drives them in and outside of work.

In this very first edition, meet and read more about Rachel Heeley, one of our client relationship managers.

Hi Rachel, tell us what your role is at Cheltenham IFA, how long you’ve been here, and what you do day to day.

I’m one of the client relationship managers and have been at the firm for 15 years. I was the first member of staff when Mark and Christian started the business (Christian is my brother-in-law!), so I’ve seen us develop a lot over the years.

I support the financial advisers by conducting research, preparing reports, and assembling review meeting documents. I also provide the advisers with the information they need to help make informed decisions for our clients and assist clients with any queries they may have. I mainly work alongside Tara and her clients, but help out the team wherever I can.

I also work with Lindsay to ensure Cheltenham IFA remain compliant from a regulatory perspective. This ranges from ensuring the team has completed their annual training on subjects like Money Laundering Regulations and GDPR, to updating our policies and procedures to remain in line with FCA requirements.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy the variety of tasks that I have – I am not just limited to writing reports for advisers.

How do you build relationships and trust with clients and understand their needs?

When it comes to building relationships and trust with clients, my goal is to be approachable and responsive to their needs. I keep clients informed and updated at all times, providing clear and timely information.

My approach is to listen carefully to our clients to understand their concerns and objectives.

What do you think sets our firm apart in the industry?

I believe that our commitment to building long-term relationships with our clients is what truly sets us apart. This is evidenced by the fact that many clients have been with us for decades, and we manage several generations of the same family.

I also think it’s really great that we are one of the Top Rated firms in the UK on VouchedFor, and we’ve been shortlisted for three awards this year. It shows we aren’t just doing what any other firm would do; we are really working hard to understand what our clients think about what we do and constantly improve.

What are your hopes for the future of our firm and the clients we serve?

Clients seem to be very happy with us so far, so I hope that we continue to serve our clients in the same way as we currently do.

Tell us a bit about yourself. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

I like running and walking my dog. I also like socialising with my family and friends, and I enjoy binge-watching TV or reading.

What is your favourite book or movie and why?

My favourite book is Wuthering Heights – I really like the complex character of Heathcliff and the intense relationship between him and Cathy.

My favourite film is Dirty Dancing – I just love the story, combined with the music and the dancing.

To be honest, most of my favourite films or books involve bonnets and bodices (I love anything from times gone by).

What is the most interesting place you’ve visited?

The most interesting place I visited was Auschwitz. I studied the second world war for GCSE history, and it has stayed with me ever since. It was such a sobering experience to see a concentration camp in real life.

How do you stay motivated and productive?

Much like with a good financial plan, I set myself goals! This can be at work, where I set myself timings throughout the day to get things done. Or it can be at home. For example, I enter races so that I stay motivated with my running.

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I was in pantomime with the man who shot Dirty Den in EastEnders.

Finally, any words of wisdom for clients considering financial planning services?

Ask Cheltenham IFA if we can help you!

Thanks, Rachel!

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out how our fantastic team at Cheltenham IFA could support you in achieving your financial goals, please do get in touch with us today.

Email info@cheltenhamifa.co.uk or call 01242 269656 to speak to one of our friendly staff, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.