Jenny Ashfield, who works at Wiltshire-based Southby & Co, recently earned a diploma in Regulated Financial Planning after a year of study and six exams.
Ms Ashfield, 33, spent a decade in the motor industry before moving into finance and said she wanted to help other women gain confidence in managing their finances.
She said: “Working whilst studying for this qualification was a challenge but one I’m incredibly proud to have achieved.
“I want to help break that stigma and show that financial confidence is something anyone can learn.
“This was one of the reasons I now do this job, because I was one of those women.
“Now I want to help other women to be more financially aware.
“Finance needs to be more accessible to women and I’m hoping we can be a stepping stone for women accessing clear, trusted and no-jargon financial advice that helps them understand their options and feel empowered to make decisions that are right for them.”
Ms Ashfield started at Southby & Co in July 2025 as a training financial adviser and has since become a qualified financial adviser.
She is particularly focused on making financial advice accessible and easy to understand for women, many of whom have never consulted a professional adviser.
Founder Dave Southby said: “Everyone at Southby & Co is incredibly proud of Jenny’s recent qualification.
“We saw how much work and dedication it took to get it.
“She’s already supporting many individuals and we can’t wait to see that continue.”
Ms Ashfield said her previous career in the motor trade equipped her with valuable skills that have helped her thrive as a financial adviser.
She said: “The skills I learnt and developed within my previous career have given me the perfect foundations to excel as a financial adviser.
“Southby & Co’s commitment to putting people first is shown in how they treat their clients as well as their team.
“They invest in people and it really shows.”
Southby & Co provides financial advice to individuals, families, and business owners across Swindon and north Wiltshire.
The company is known for its honest advice and strong community ties.
Research shows women are significantly less likely than men to have received financial advice, with around 69 per cent reporting they have never consulted a qualified adviser.