Two weeks ago, Technical Assistant, Ellie Dickens, beat out some tough competition to win the Rising Star accolade at the Hull & East Yorkshire People In Business Awards! Now that some time has passed, she reflects on the event below… Well done Ellie!
Back in May I found out I was a Finalist in the Hull and East Yorkshire People in Business Awards for the Rising Star Category.
When I found out I was nominated I was super excited. It’s so rewarding to know that my work ethic and contribution to the company has been recognised, despite only joining Informed Financial Planning in January. My main role here involves assisting our chartered advisers and paraplanning team with any technical queries they may have, with my niche being in protection.
Before we knew it, it was soon Friday 12th July, and we were arriving at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Hull City Centre for what would be my first (hopefully of many) awards ceremony with my team. With the other paraplanners also being shortlisted for their own awards I was buzzing that we had a chance of at least bringing one award back to the office! We work closely together day in day out and it was such a pleasure to have a night to celebrate that, win or lose!
After a lovely meal and the drinks following, the award announcements soon came around and my category was the first to go… It’s safe to say the nerves really did kick in but who would have thought it, little old me only went and won! Usually the thought of having to get up on stage to receive an award in front of hundreds of people would scare me to death but the adrenaline on the night of knowing I had not only been shortlisted but won the award carried me through. The response and support from my team was just the best. The event had a ‘no applauding until after the award is announced’ rule but I think it’s safe to say that soon went out the window and we were definitely the loudest table!
I just so happened to be jetting off to France the next morning for a family holiday so celebrations did have to be kept to a minimum for me when it came to how many Gins I could have! But, what a way to kick start my holiday and I soon made up for the celebrating while I was there.
To be recognised for my contribution to the team and particularly in improving a certain product area to the extent that the work the company does on this has now increased is rewarding in itself. I have worked in this industry since leaving Sixth Form in the summer of 2017 and recognition like this assures me that I know I made the right decision in pursuing a career in Financial Services and I wouldn’t want to be doing this anywhere other than Informed Financial Planning!
Maybe we’ll see you next year HEY PIB Awards!
If you think you could be in need of some financial advice from our award-winning team, give us a call on 01482 219 325 or email [email protected].
