Helen Allen

Chartered Financial Planner

Birmingham freelance photographer Edward Moss
0121 313 1370 helen.allen@henwoodcourt.co.uk
FCA Register

Professionally

Helen is responsible for providing day-to-day financial planning advice for clients; a typical day will involve talking and meeting clients, liaising with client support and ensuring that appropriate recommendations are prepared and implemented as well as keeping up to date with ever-changing legislation that may affect our clients financial planning strategies.

Helen has been in the profession since 1990 and holds a high level of financial planning qualifications, particularly relating to pensions and estate planning.

Personally

Helen’s commitment shines through to her personal life as well. Her spare time is filled with church, music and running (not all at the same time!), with her husband by her side.

Helen puts her professional experience and knowledge to use in her voluntary roles as treasurer for two charitable organisations. Helen is also an accomplished church organist, pianist and plays trombone. If there is any time left over, she has a passion for running: Helen has completed several 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and full marathons in both London and Brighton.

Spotlight questions

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Helping our clients to achieve their objectives which is often retirement, and helping colleagues understand the technical aspects of the work we do.

What motivates you at work?

Doing a great job, then being appreciated and thanked for it.

Who inspires you? Why?

Our clients; I deal mainly with retired clients who have worked hard and are now enjoying a life filled with nice things.

Tell us something people may be surprised to learn about you...

I play the trombone, piano and church organ. I’ve also run three full marathons, each time saying, ‘never again’

What's at the top of your bucket list?

Retirement! to live the life that we have helped our clients to live, but not for a few years yet.

Helen’s Qualifications

  • FP1 – Financial Planning Certificate Paper 1: Part one of the nationally-recognised Financial Planning Certificate.
  • FP2 – Financial Planning Certificate Paper 2: Part two of the nationally-recognised Financial Planning Certificate.
  • FP3 – Financial Planning Certificate Paper 3: Part three of the nationally-recognised Financial Planning Certificate.
  • CF7 – Certificate in Financial Planning and Lifetime Mortgage Activities: This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, lifetime mortgage products, repayment options and the giving of mortgage advice.
  • CF8 – Certificate in Financial Planning and Long Term Care Insurance: This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK Regulations Environment in the Financial Services Industry, Long Term Care Insurance Products and giving of Long Term Care Insurance Advice.
  • CF9 – Pensions Simplification: This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the Government’s simplified pension taxation regime which came into full effect on 6 April 2006 (A-Day). Eight tax regimes for pensions were reduced to one, radically affecting planning and transactions.
  • HR1 – Home Reversion Plans: This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the legislative and regulatory position of home reversion plans and their place in the advice process.
  • R01 – Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics: This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the Financial Services Industry.
  • SV1 – Savings & Investments: This examination assessed the knowledge and understanding of economic factors that affect risk from different investments, product features and regulatory framework of retail investments, taxation liabilities and portfolio planning.
  • MAQ – Mortgage Advice Qualification: This qualification assessed the knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry together with types of mortgage products and repayment options and the giving of mortgage advice.
  • AF1 – Personal Tax and Trust Planning: This qualification develops in-depth financial planning skills related to personal tax and trusts.
  • AF2 – Business Financial Planning: This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to business.
  • H25 – Holistic Financial Planning: This examination assessed knowledge and understanding to analyse and evaluate a client’s circumstances and financial needs and produce a holistic financial solution based on an in-depth knowledge of financial services products.
  • G30 – Business Financial Planning: This examination demonstrated that the individual has a knowledge and understanding of all financial planning aspects of running a business and an ability to advise clients appropriately.
  • G60 – Pensions: This examination enhanced general pension knowledge, particularly in pension transfers and opt-out business.
  • H15 – Supervision and Sales: This examination assessed specialist supervisory knowledge and skills in the regulatory environment.
  • K10 – Retirement Options: This examination assessed knowledge and understanding of income generating options and applying the knowledge to retirement planning situations.
  • K20 – Pensions Investment Options: This examination assessed knowledge and understanding of the range of investments available for planning of pensions and to be able to apply the construction of a pension portfolio management for a client.
  • STEP Certificate for FinServs, Trusts & Est Planning (distinction)
  • Certified Financial Planner TM
  • Chartered Fellow (Financial Planning) of the CISI

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