Name: Alex Whiley
What dates did you study at Prior Pursglove College?: 2011 – 2014
Subjects studied: Accountancy, Maths, Business, Personal & Business Finance
Secondary school: Bydales
Memories of Prior: Dressing up as wildlife animals and taking part in a sports day. Our team consisted of Prior’s own Lesley Currie and Vicky McDermott.
Current Profession: Mortgage & Insurance Advisor
About the journey: “I left prior in 2014 with multiple university offers, however my preference was to get straight into the financial services industry. After several failed job applications to become an Accountants apprentice, I called on contacts I made during my Personal & Business Finance internship at the council and was given a start date of January 2015.
As I knew the private sector was ideally where I wanted to work, I continued applying for jobs and attending open days, including during my lunch breaks.
After only being at the council for 2 weeks, I received a job offer from Active Mortgage Services in Guisborough. Active Mortgage Services are a mortgage and insurance brokerage who offered me and several other candidates the opportunity to be part of an academy in which we would go through our Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practise (CeMAP) qualification, before advising clients on their mortgage needs.
I obtained my qualification in 2016 and spent the next 3 years helping clients and learning from my colleagues.
In 2019 I was approached by Bede Financial Group in Marske, who offered me a position I could not refuse. I took prime responsibility for the mortgages and protection, whilst studying alongside for my Diploma in Financial Planning (DipPFS). Upon receipt of my Diploma in 2021, I was now qualified to give Financial Advice.
I am still working towards my goal of becoming a Chartered Independent Financial Adviser and have continued studying alongside my day-to-day job completing one of the four modules required earlier this year.”