IFAAug 18 2022

Continuum grows north-east presence with chartered financial planner

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Continuum grows north-east presence with chartered financial planner
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Stephanie McClarence has joined national IFA firm Continuum as a chartered financial planner based in Tyneside.

In her new role, McClarence will work with both personal and business clients and has built a specialty in working with small business owners to help with both their professional and personal financial needs.

“The more people I work with, and the more new solutions I find for them, the more I know I can do,” she said. 

“This is why joining the Continuum partnership is ideal. As part of a team, I can call on support for the services I provide, but still have the freedom to ensure that the solutions I offer can be based on products that are the most suitable on the market.

“Continuum always believes in putting the client first – so do I.”

McClarence said joining the Continuum partnership means she will be able to maintain her freedom as a whole of market adviser.  

“I enjoy meeting people and getting to know the issues that motivate and worry them,” she said. 

“But it is the stage after that, putting what I have learned to work, that is the most rewarding. For me – and for Continuum – it means creating holistic financial plans that provide the solutions clients need to meet their goals.”

McClarence added: “There are plenty of people with financial questions, and very real challenges right now. I want to be part of the solution, especially when it comes to closing the pensions gap between men and women.”

Continuum managing partner Martin Brown, said the addition of McClarence to the team will strengthen its presence in the north-east.

Brown said McClarence has demonstrated her professional and personal skills and are the perfect fit for Continuum.

“We have seen a marked increase in the number of high-quality advisers approaching Continuum over the past year looking to join our partnership to help them with both the financial and time constraints caused by the effects of increased regulation in recent years,” he said.

“Advisers are coming to us looking for someone to work with that will enable them to grow their business, with the same dedication to customer service and quality advice they have built their businesses upon.”

Earlier this month, M&G bought the national IFA firm, which has assets of more than £1.5bn, for an undisclosed amount.

The deal will see the company take an initial stake of 49.9 per cent in Continuum, with the remainder acquired over the next two years.

Once the deal is completed, which is subject to regulatory approval, Continuum will become part of M&G Wealth but will retain its own brand.

In its most recent set of results Continuum saw a 37 per cent rise in operating profit, driven in part by acquisitions of a number of IFAs.

For the period ending June 30, 2022 Continuum also saw a 31 per cent rise in ongoing recurring income (year-on-year) and a 16 per cent rise in average adviser 12-month rolling productivity to £206,259.

The national IFA firm expects record numbers of advisers to join the partnership in the second half of this year, in line with its growth plans.

sonia.rach@ft.com