At Bray Wealth, we’re invested in people, and that doesn’t only extend to our clients. Our team is very important to us and we like to highlight the various professionals working to bring your financial plan together.
You recently read about managing director and Chartered financial planner Nick Swartout and his role in the business.
This month, we want to shine a spotlight on a different team member – technical administrator Elena Newton.
1. What is your role at Bray Wealth?
Day to day I support the financial planners, working closely with Nick Swartout and Geoff Corden to assist with new pension and investment business. I provide ongoing support to existing clients, handling updates to their investments and pensions, providing valuations, dealing with fund switches, and completing any other technical administration requests.
Alongside my work at Bray Wealth, I am currently studying for my Diploma in Financial Planning and have passed RO1 and RO5 so far this year.
2. What first attracted you to your career and what steps did you take to reach your current position?
I first came to Bray Wealth in 2019 for a summer internship between my first and second year of university. I absolutely loved it and have seen myself pursuing a career in finance ever since.
However, Covid meant my plans changed a bit and I fell into human resources (HR). In the end, I did three years working in HR, which was a great experience. The role was eye-opening and I particularly enjoyed the wellbeing element, supporting people’s mental health.
My journey changed unexpectedly, when I was made redundant last year, but looking back it was a blessing.
I really enjoyed the accounting units of my degree. I got a first in those units which helped set me up for my continued study and inspired my interest in working in finance. So, when I got the chance to come back to Bray, I jumped at it, and it was the best decision I ever made.
Working with such lovely people and learning every day is amazing! The transition was a real “everything happens for a reason” moment.
I love the interaction with people this job provides and getting to meet all the lovely clients.
3. What qualifications and professional training do you have that help you support clients?
I am studying to become a Qualified Financial Adviser. I currently have the RO1 Financial Services and Regulation Qualification, and the RO5 Financial Protection Qualification. Prior to working at Bray, I completed a First Class Honours Degree in Business Management.
The next step in my professional development is to work towards the RO3 Personal Taxation exam, and I hope to be fully qualified by the end of 2026.
4. What is the most rewarding part of your role at Bray Wealth?
Seeing how much the advisers help and support people every day and getting to be a part of that. Money is a worry for so many people and to have the knowledge and skills to be able to support people and take away some of that burden is a real gift.
Being a part of Bray truly is like having a work family and I am extremely grateful to be a part of it.
5. What are your biggest professional goals for the next year?
I am aiming to complete all 6 RO exams by the end of next year and be fully qualified. It will be a lot of early mornings and late nights revising, but I am ready for it!
6. What are you most excited about outside of work over the next year?
The year ahead is full of lots of exciting things for me.
I am about to go on a trip to the Dominican Republic with my partner Harry which I am so excited about, it will be my first trip out of Europe.
I’m also expecting a new niece or nephew very soon which I cannot wait for. I’m already an Auntie to my beautiful niece Mary, and it’s the best job ever!
We also have a family trip to Center Parcs planned for the summer and my cousin is getting married, so overall the next year is going to be filled with quality time, making memories with the people I love and I couldn’t ask for more really.
Quick fire Q&A
- Go-to coffee order – Oat milk latte
- Favourite travel destination – Anywhere with sunshine and an all-inclusive – Greece, Spain, Lanzarote…
- Hidden talent – I have walked 2 marathons!
- Most-used app – WhatsApp
- Weekend treat – A Chinese takeaway and a trip to the spa.
- What motivates you? – Making my loved ones proud and being a role model for all the little ladies in my life.
Look out for more of these team member spotlight articles in the future so you can learn more about the amazing people behind your financial plan.
Approved by the Openwork Partnership on 01/07/2025
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