Thank you for joining us today Julie. To start, can you share a bit about your career journey and how you arrived at your current role?
Absolutely. My career path has been quite dynamic. I started my working life with the Britannia Building Society, who merged with the Coop Bank in around 2008. I spent 17 years, the largest chunk of my career, in the banking and building Society sector, gaining valuable experience and a really good grounding in operations, risk and transformation management. This pushed me to explore new opportunities, and I moved into the wealth management space working for the Quilter network (formally Intrinsic) where my career began to transition in to first line compliance and operations space. I headed up the Supervision & Oversight teams for Quilter and in 2021, moved to Tenet as their Compliance Operations Director. Whilst I loved working in the large institutions, I wanted to be part of a growing business with strong local ties, and that led me to Franklyn in December. Once I met Andy and the team, I knew I’d found a great business and opportunity to contribute massively to growth. Since then, I’ve focused on addressing operational processes and improving planning and capacity management as well as getting out first acquisition over the line.
What were your first impressions upon joining Franklyn?
It’s an exciting and ambitious business which is growing rapidly. I’ve quickly got involved in in streamlining processes and implementing more sophisticated operational rigor. The energy of the team and the culture of collaboration have been refreshing, and I feel truly engaged in my role and we are seeing an impact already.
What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges in the wealth management industry today?
Consolidation is a major trend right now. Many smaller firms, often one or two-person operations, struggle with increasing regulatory requirements. Being part of the St. James’s Place network offers a strong support system and infrastructure that helps navigate these challenges. I see a significant opportunity in leveraging AI and automation to reduce administrative burdens while ensuring compliance remains a priority.
How do you envision technology shaping the future of wealth management?
Technology plays a crucial role in making processes more efficient. Compliance and paperwork can be overwhelming, so automation can alleviate these pressures. However, it’s essential to strike a balance – automation must enhance regulatory adherence rather than complicate it. I’m actively exploring tools to streamline operations and minimise bureaucracy. It’s all about having the best systems in place to allow our Advisers to do their best work for clients. At Franklyn the mantra is ‘put the client at the centre of everything we do’ so I’m very passionate about that being the core ethos behind any operational changes I make.
What leadership values do you bring to your role?
Integrity is at the core of my leadership style. I believe in being firm but fair, build a strong team, look after them and set set clear goals supported by effective plans. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is the Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule – focusing on the most impactful tasks to drive results. That principle guides me in making strategic decisions.
Looking ahead, what are your primary goals for Franklyn?
My focus is on continuing to improve our robust infrastructure and developing the operational model. We aim to integrate AI and automation to modernise our processes while balancing organic growth with strategic acquisitions. Another priority is maintaining strong partnerships, including our collaborations with local sports clubs, which play a key role in community engagement. We are building out the foundations for more growth and success and ensuring that Franklyn is even more of a force in the North West and further afield.
On a personal note, what’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
Not many people know that I have a background in theatre. I attended theatre school in Manchester and once pursued a career in musical theatre. So whilst people may see me as quite a professional corporate person, there’s a bit of an extrovert hiding somewhere!
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
My pleasure – thank you for having me!