FINANCE ISLE OF MAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHARED VISION AND STRATEGY FOR THE ISLAND’S FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES AND THE ISLE OF MAN AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE.
Clara secured a job as a trainee accountant at Harding Lewis accountants straight from A levels and a move into a client accountant position at Sabre Services Ltd soon followed.
Having always enjoyed maths, she had decided at the age of 15 that she wanted to work in accountancy. Her employers have always been supportive of her studies; allowing Clara to not only study for her ACCA qualification while on the job, but also funding her study costs, and allowing generous time for study leave; it has been 10 years since she started her first role as a trainee accountant.
'Manx Financial Group is constantly growing; we offer banking services, wealth management, general insurance, life insurance and foreign exchange. Working here has provided me with exciting opportunities that I didn’t foresee' says Clara.
'I’m so passionate about my role at MFG, but I would be lying if I said it was easy! The beauty of financial services is that the great career progression is available to all, whether or not you are a graduate. Indeed, I work with managers who did not go to university after school but qualified whilst working and have since obtained MBAs.
With MFG set to continue their growth over the next 10 years, Clara has set her sights on making it onto the Board of Directors, an achievable aspiration owed, in part, to the opportunity for progression afforded by a career in the financial sector.
The IOM Financial Services market is very competitive and the draw of the market attracts UK talent. Being on an island is not a barrier but in many cases an enabler for UK talent to come to the island. Completing her qualifications at such a young age, and straight after A levels, has enabled Clara to achieve a work-life balance, having more time to enjoy her hobbies and spend more time with friends and family.
