Our teams
At Brewin Dolphin we offer a wide scope of careers for talented individuals who relish the challenges and rewards that working with a leading wealth manager brings.
Explore our company
We value people who are keen to progress in their chosen discipline (eg, accountancy or research), or who would like to gain exposure across many areas in a diverse and forward-thinking company.
The investment management service we offer is called ‘discretionary investment management’ – which helps clients to both protect and grow their wealth. Our dedicated investment managers take care of everything associated with the day-to-day running of a portfolio, from determining and maintaining the most appropriate blend of assets, to monitoring and managing risk, to dealing and administration.
To ensure our investment managers make the most from opportunities that arise, our in-house research team provides award-winning analysis on individual equities, funds, fixed income and alternative investments. This invaluable resource is complemented by extensive third-party research across all asset classes from other leading investment houses.
Also in the investment management area, desk assistants support these teams with additional research and dealing.
It can be difficult for clients to see beyond the everyday demands of work and family life and take the time to look at their finances in a structured way. Our experienced financial planners help clients to develop a sound strategy for managing their affairs and safeguarding their long-term wealth.
As little as an hour with an expert financial planner can help clients to start building a solid financial plan. After they gain a clear understanding of a client’s circumstances and objectives, they will put together a detailed, personalised plan. The financial planning service spans a number of areas including: retirement/pension planning, protection (a range of financial products, such as life assurance, income protection and critical illness cover), guidance on estate planning, and tax-efficient ways of investing. Our many decades of experience mean we can help clients achieve their goals in both favourable and more challenging economic climates.
Our business development team provides support and engagement between Brewin Dolphin and external intermediaries, namely financial advisers, solicitors and accountants. This is a dynamic and innovative sales environment.
Within this business channel we look for individuals with excellent communications skills together with a good level of knowledge and experience from at least one of the three market sectors.
Roles in business development at Brewin Dolphin are both challenging and empowering. We are passionate about the services we offer and continually strive to enhance our propositions using the ideas and feedback from all team members.
Our business standards team focuses on delivering high quality advisory standards and practices to the business to enable the delivery of positive client investment solutions. It is a stable, respected and trusted department that liaises closely with internal investment managers and financial planners.
We look for people with initiative and strong conviction. We actively encourage new thinking and champion you to put your ideas into practice. Ideally you would hold qualifications in investment management or financial planning as this will aid in underpinning the support we provide to the wealth advisers across Brewin Dolphin’s network.
Business support is responsible for the processing, custody and reconciliation of all positions held by the firm, ensuring compliance with internal and external rules and regulations. This covers all products and assets, including cash, equities, fixed income and collectives. The processes are varied and cover client and product static data, asset servicing, settlements, client reporting, portfolio transfers, fees processing, financial planning administration, operational tax and reconciliations.
We look to recruit and develop dynamic individuals at all levels who are interested in pursuing a career as operational professionals covering a wide range of functions and processes. There is a strong team ethic here, driven by a shared desire to enhance our capabilities for growth.
The business change management function implements changes to the operating infrastructure of Brewin Dolphin. The need for change can come from a range of sources, including responses to strategic business decisions, regulatory directives or improvements for operational control and efficiency. Any change to the production business environment presents risks to the organisation that require careful management and hence change delivery requires specific skills in project management, business analysis and systems implementation.
The client services team delivers client-focused complaint handling and dispute resolution, investigating client concerns with robustness and integrity. The role requires strong investigative skills, a logical and focused approach and the ability to communicate clearly.
Our role requires the ability to engage with both clients and all aspects of our business, from investment managers and financial planners, through operational and support functions, to senior management and risk. This scope ensures that effective and appropriate solutions are provided and communicated within strict regulatory deadlines, while ensuring that Brewin both cooperates with the industry ADR scheme (the FOS) and has its position heard. The client services team also undertakes reviews of past business where potential client detriment is identified and calculates proactive compensation where required, as well as acting as the central authorisation point for compensation across the business, ensuring that clients are dealt with fairly and consistently.
Our compliance team sets the compliance strategy and monitors and manages the specific areas of risk exposure across the business. The roles in the department involve both routine and thematic monitoring and reviews to provide the board and the group’s senior management with assurance of the group’s ongoing compliance with its regulatory obligations and policies. The team is also responsible for the provision of advice and guidance to the business on regulatory and procedural issues, with particular focus on conduct of business and client money and asset requirements.
We look for people with broad experience of the regulatory environment looking to work in a small dynamic team, which works closely with senior management.
The finance team plays a pivotal role in the delivery of Brewin Dolphin’s strategy. It provides value-adding insight and analysis to ensure the firm’s leadership can drive the business forward. We also fill the usual control, reporting and business partnering functions of a listed company finance team.
In tandem with the firm’s strategy, the finance department is developing and enhancing its capabilities, implementing new systems, processes and greater engagement with our internal and external clients. This is an exciting time to be part of the firm’s finance department and we expect new joiners to be an integral and key part of designing, delivering and leading the change. The roles offer a great opportunity to learn first-hand the skills required to be successful in a forward thinking and dynamic finance function.
The department consists of approximately 30 staff, the majority of whom are qualified accountants, or are in the process of studying for professional qualifications. The roles are based in our head office in the City of London.
The group legal team provides legal services to the Brewin Dolphin group and have the primary responsibility for identifying and managing legal risk across the business. We strive to ensure that our legal advice helps the company to deliver on its objectives, protect its revenue and facilitate growth.
We look for business-savvy, energetic lawyers who are hardwired to operate in a way that aligns with and integrates well with the business teams that we support. The lawyers in our team know that they have an obligation to take a proactive commercial approach in order to deliver on the company’s strategy and ensure that our team processes, procedures and tools enable us to give advice in a clear and efficient way.
Brewin Dolphin’s human resources team plays an integral role in ensuring the organisational and people strategies are aligned. We endeavour to provide an environment where every employee has the opportunity to develop their skills and career. HR keeps our employees at the heart of our organisation agenda and, with our senior leaders, looks to build an environment that is engaging, collaborative and empowering.
Human resources impacts every facet of the employee journey with Brewin Dolphin from recruitment; ensuring we select the right people, designing and delivering employee development programmes; employee relations; leading projects in resource planning; and promoting diversity and inclusiveness throughout the wider Brewin organisation. We also ensure that we reward and recognise our employees properly.
Our IT team provides the technology that means our business has the capability to work even harder and more effectively for our clients and their money. We aim to deliver exceptional solutions to help push our business towards a digital future. We value integrity and taking responsibility – as we support and protect Brewin Dolphin in all things IT.
We are a small enough team for you to make a big impact and large enough to realise your career ambitions. If you are looking to challenge the status quo, bring innovative thinking and work with a growing high performance team then join us. Work with talented colleagues on complex problems and help us deliver the next generation of financial IT.
Our marketing team is a dynamic and creative environment covering a number of areas that focus on delivering high quality communications for our business.
We look for people with imagination and initiative, and we’ll actively encourage you to try new things and put your ideas into practice.
If external communications is your area of expertise, you could join us and help to communicate and promote the Brewin Dolphin story to the UK’s media, politicians and other stakeholders. Our internal communications team champion honest and transparent communications and make sure that we have open lines of communication with all our people, and that we are engaging them in our strategy, aims and ambitions.
The operational risk department comprises two teams of experienced professionals whose main role is to ensure people in the business understand and take ownership of the risks they are running.
The risk advice and assurance team comprises operational risk managers who maintain relationships with the different departments around the organisation, helping them to identify and assess the risks that exist and the controls in place to either prevent the risk from occurring or to reduce the impact if the risk does crystallise.
The governance and ICAAP team has responsibility for managing the operational risk management framework, maintaining the risk and compliance database, and supporting the risk advice and assurance team. They also have responsibility for managing the ICAAP, which is a whole firm risk assessment we conduct to calculate the amount of regulatory capital the FCA requires us to hold.
The department has roles at levels from the most senior to analysts with a couple of years’ experience. Therefore, there are opportunities for operational risk practitioners at all levels.
Our research team provides the basis for our investment decisions.
A career in research is not for the faint-hearted. It suits those who are curious and diligent enough to relentlessly develop their own understanding. The fundamental attributes of successful analysts at Brewin Dolphin are patience and pragmatism. Many hours of work may be spent on a hypothesis, which eventually may be unproven or disproven.
Despite the breadth of an analytical role, however, Research team members share the same fiduciary responsibilities of the entire firm: to look objectively at each investment opportunity and consider whether, on balance of probabilities, the potential rewards are justified by the risks and costs that might accompany them. The team is motivated to provide each other with support and constructive criticism when making recommendations, which have very real implications for clients.
Get to know us
Our people come from a range of backgrounds and have a range of experiences. Find out more about their time at RBC Brewin Dolphin.
What is your position at RBC Brewin Dolphin?
Financial Planner based in our Cardiff office and also Regional Financial Planning Manager.
I provide comprehensive financial advice to private clients typically with wealth in the range of £1m-£20m. I have a wide range of clients from entrepreneurs, those with inherited wealth, lottery winners and clients who have accumulated their wealth over their lifetime. My team comprises a paraplanner who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the team and the production of our in-depth financial reports and also an administrator as the idea of a paperless office has never really materialised!
What has been your career path to date and what drew you to RBC Brewin Dolphin?
I joined the industry in 1994 taking my first professional exam that same year. In 1995 I moved to Lloyds Bank progressing to Senior Adviser and in 2002 joined the RBS Group as a regional financial adviser. I was invited to join Coutts Private Bank in 2007 initially at Associate Director level with promotion to Director in 2009. In 2013 I looked at alternative options in the market.
RBC Brewin Dolphin stood out with a very clear client focused proposition and with an enviable reputation among its peers. The combination of financial planning alongside bespoke tailored investment advice delivered under the same roof by a highly qualified team was really quite compelling. These complimentary elements create a wealth management service which clients value and understand.
What is your advice to people considering a career at RBC Brewin Dolphin?
I could not be happier with the decision to move to Brewin Dolphin. All the necessary ingredients are in place here to develop a long-term and fulfilling career with support for professional development and qualifications.
How has your career developed with RBC Brewin Dolphin?
I joined as a Divisional Director in January 2013 and was subsequently appointed as Regional Financial Planning Manager in 2014. I also sit on the management committee of the Cardiff office
Outside of your career with RBC Brewin Dolphin, could you tell us about an achievement you are proud of?
My home and my family. I spent 10 years converting a disused barn into my family home and it is now filled with laughter and happiness. Very rewarding.
What is your role at RBC Brewin Dolphin?
Assistant Director/Investment Manager
What has been your career path to date and what drew you to RBC Brewin Dolphin?
On leaving school I joined an investment firm as an Investment Assistant. At that time, there was limited encouragement to pursue a structured professional career path. The firm was taken over by Brewin in 1996 and since then I have been given every encouragement to proceed with professional exams and development.
What is your advice to people considering a career at RBC Brewin Dolphin?
The career path with Brewin Dolphin is now much more structured. You have clear guidance at whatever level or role you are working in on what is required to get you to the next level and you are certainly given encouragement and the facilities to do so.
How has your career developed with RBC Brewin Dolphin?
Having worked through the exam process as an Investment Assistant and Trainee Investment Manager, I worked with various Investment Managers. Three years ago the IM I was working with left the firm and I was asked to take over their client bank; something that I never thought I would have had the confidence or the ability to do. Three years later I am growing this client bank as well as supervising the Administration Team in Glasgow. I am growing and learning every day.
Outside of your career with RBC Brewin Dolphin, could you tell us about an achievement you are proud of?
Aside from the fact that I am a full-time working mum to my 14 year old son, of whom I am extremely proud, I am also the proud holder of a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and take great pride in encouraging youngsters to believe that they can achieve anything if they work hard and I do this through my work as a Duke of Edinburgh Award Leader and Girls Brigade Company Captain.
What is your role at RBC Brewin Dolphin?
I am Head of Charity & Institutional Investment for Scotland as well as joint Deputy Head of the Edinburgh office. I am also a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
What has been your career path to date and what drew you to RBC Brewin Dolphin?
I joined Brewin Dolphin at the start of 2010 from another investment firm, where I worked for 13 years, having joined as a graduate trainee. There, I set up and developed the Scottish charity business. At that time, I decided to look for my next career move and I was keen to join a wealth manager that put the client at the heart of what they did and where I was able to listen to each and every client and provide them with a tailored investment solution to meet their needs. I was drawn to the opportunity by the attractive proposal to help set up the charity offering UK-wide for Brewin as well as attracted by the opportunity to focus my efforts in Scotland, with the underlying priority of getting it right for each client.
What is your advice to people considering a career at RBC Brewin Dolphin?
Everybody always says it, but Brewin is a very nice place to work. The people are great, the Board and management committee supportive and there is no limit to anyone developing their full potential. The company has undergone a massive transformation over the course of the last few years, moving from a private client stockbroker to a leading, fully-integrated wealth manager. People don’t tend to leave Brewin and the opportunities to develop personally and professionally are there for anyone who wants to take them.
How has your career developed with RBC Brewin Dolphin?
I joined as Head of Charity and Institutional Clients, Scotland so came in at director level. This was unusual at that time as most directors had developed through the business. I was one of 2 female directors in the Edinburgh office (out of 20) and one of the youngest directors in the office. At that time, I worked 4 days per week as my two children were still very young and I was keen to have some flexibility at this stage in their lives. I have developed my role to work with our Glasgow and Aberdeen Offices in particular as well as within the wider UK charity team where I have led on many developments and initiatives. I was initially part of the Asset Allocation committee and was also involved in the setting up of the Brewin Dolphin Charitable Foundation. I was part of the Stewardship committee for several years and am currently a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. I have also been involved in the UK-wide mentoring programme. In January 2018, I was appointed a joint deputy head of the Edinburgh office. This came as a surprise, but it is a role into which I am developing, and I am thoroughly enjoying the new challenges that his brings as well as the greater insight that I am gaining into the management and leadership of the company.
Outside of your career with RBC Brewin Dolphin, could you tell us about an achievement you are proud of?
I am a busy working mum and outside of the office my two very energetic children and springer spaniel keep me busy. My true love in life is spending time in the mountains, be it climbing, on skis or running long distance trails. My latest achievement was completing the UTMB-CCC a 101km trail run starting in Italy and travelling through high alpine passes into Switzerland then on to France. There was 6700m of climbing involved and it took 22 hours. Quite an extreme measure to get some time to myself!
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