Bahtatboy

Karma given

Alfa Q

For those that are on their high horse let me make you aware that I am aware of the tax implications of returning within 12 months to the UK and please do not take cheap shots at how I conduct my payments to the HMRC also if you read my OP it should suggest that I am aware of the pitfalls of the opportunity, it seems that only Meow has completely grasped this whilst some others just see it as an opportunity to show their lack of maturity.

Anyway, following a recent meeting with one of the directors I decided to turn down this opportunity, mainly due to the weak answers to question that I posed to him but also due to the feedback that I've had from this forum and other similar forums on the web, so I'd like to thank you all for the polite, the comical and the somewhat rude input, it was all extremely helpful.

al dente

Chuckle - you got off lightly!

commander

good luck, you asked and got the truth and glad that helped in some small way.

It would have been a massive mistake.

Good luck.

try this:

http://bkcareers.com/

cisco79

I do smile at some of the comments and also some fantastically biased opinions from hypocritical competitors. To clarify, GWM does offer relocation packages along with market leading salary packages for the right candidates. Consideration of their web site would note that they are regulated in every jurisdiction in which they operate and are held in high regard by clients and partners alike. Admittedly there is no defense for some IFA firms who have tarnished the name of the industry, not just in Dubai, but globally and I must agree with some of the humorous comments noted here! However GWM is doing its utmost to regain some respect to the industry, hence potentially offering a position to someone who has 4 years experience of being an IFA in the UK. I think that speaks volumes itself.

The CEO is Chairman of the Leeds Branch Institute of Financial Planners and has been a Magistrate for over 12 years. He is a fully qualified UK IFA with over 20 years experience, 17 of which running his own successful IFA company. In the last few months alone he has published the following articles in market leading publications. Enough said:

Financial Times- 30/03/2011
Headline: Top tips for people leaving the UK to work abroad
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4cfe3638-5...44feab49a.html

FTAdviser- March 2011
Headline: 'Life coaching can help to prepare for RDR'
http://www.ftadviser.com/FinancialAd...re-for-RDR.jsp

Expat Money Channel- March 2011
Headline: Expats in Middle East urged to Review Cover
http://www.expatmoneychannel.com/con...d-review-cover

FTAdviser- March 2011
Headline: Guardian Finds Loophole in ECJ Ruling
http://www.ftadviser.com/FTAdviser/P...ECJ-ruling.jsp

International Adviser- March 2011
Headline: Zen and the art of Financial Planning
http://www.international-adviser.com...ncial-planning

IFA Online- March 2011
Headline: Guardian hunts 300 IFAs in pre-RDR recruitment Drive
Guardian hunts 300 IFAs in pre-RDR recruitment drive
ifaonline.co.uk

Citywire/ New Model Adviser- March 2011
Headline: Guardian WM looks to break into UK with recruitment drive
http://www.citywire.co.uk/new-model-...ull?print=true

IFA Online- 2nd March 2011
Headline: Warning UK could be By Passed after ECJ Ruling (QROPS)
http://www.ifaonline.co.uk/ifaonline...sed-ecj-ruling

Investment International- March 2011
Headline: Senior Appointment for Guardian Wealth (David Russell)
http://www.investmentinternational.c...alth-4428.html

International Adviser- March 2011
FTAdviser 24/02/2011
Headline: Qrops still viable despite pension reforms
http://www.ftadviser.com/FinancialAd...on-reforms.jsp

Overseas Property Pensions 24/02/2011
Headline: Legal changes won't kill the QROPS market
http://www.opp.org.uk/news_article.asp?id=4897

International Advisor- 17/02/2011
Headline: Flexible drawdown will not kill QROPS says Guardian Wealth
http://www.international-adviser.com...uardian-wealth

Pension Age 16/02/2011
Headline: QROPS will remain attractive despite flexible drawdown
http://www.pensionsage.com/pa/qrops-...e-drawdown.php

Investment International 16/02/2011
Headline: Flexible Drawdown will not be the death of QROPS experts say
http://www.investmentinternational.c...-say-4345.html

International Advisor 08/02/2011
Headline: Middle Eastern Promises
http://www.international-adviser.com...ticle-comments

Meow

That's hilarious. The 'adviser' doth protest too much. Must have taken you ages to put that together too.

Funny how the person asking about a job was told something different from what you are claiming...

flares

'First article I open and the guy is saying Bahrain is 'stable' actually he's saying 'certainly stable'

Doesn't look forking stable from where I'm sat! What a plum!

slapphead_otool

No qualifications required to be a magistrate (if you mean a JP), and if there was it would be legal not financial for a Stipendiary Magistrate. Hell – I was a JP.

(You are not supposed to use it for commercial purposes either…)

It is my understanding that the qualifications for IFA are not exactly strenuous. The highest is I believe a Diploma.

The CEO may well hold Chartered Accountant status, or a Masters in economics, or a good MBA. perhaps you could tell us.

It is my personal opinion that I wouldn’t take advice from someone who is less qualified than myself. Others may disagree.

Meow

There are many qualifications that an IFA can take, although the entry level ones are not at all hard. Some of the advanced ones are technical, but once you have broad technical knowledge it them comes down to personal research and experience. I'd be suspicious of anyone who didn't have a decent amount of financial services exams though, as even in this market there is a lot to know to do the job right.

What does a diploma mean anyway? You get one for an NVQ, but also for far more technical studies depening on the examning body. The CII goes rather higher than a basic diploma and Chartered status is available.

slapphead_otool

I fully agree Meow.

I personally would want to see more from the CEO of a large investment advisory organisation than “a fully qualified UK IFA” which could mean a Financial Planning Certificate worth 3 GCSEs.

My issue is that this is not the individual advisor, but the man who heads up the organisation.

The CEO in question may well have impeccable qualifications in an area like finance, economics or accounting. If he does, then he hides his light under a bushel.

Again, this is just my personal opinion.

TGFKASE

Hey, Alfa Q.

Hope you read the opening paragraph.

By offering you no assistance package and no salary, it would appear that you are NOT the right candidate.

Errrmmm..

Hope you aren't already here working for them, might be a little embarrassing next time you see the boss...

Alfa Q

No I did not take up the position because it was not right for me however, I don't think that the posters should be slating GWM as much as they are, after all they are providing employment to many in tough economic conditions. If they do sell financial products by cold calling and hard selling in a country where it is allowed to do so then I can't see why many of the posters have an issue with this? Surely its the consumer that should be more vigilant with their savings? It's not a practise that I personally approve of but I do have an issue with expats that sign their wealth away to a company that has cold called them!!

To those that have an issue with the CEO's qualifications, most companies, especially large corporates have a CEO that has absolutely no experience in the field that the company operates in but they do have a successful track record in leading a company ie Horta-Osório or Bob Diamond to name just a couple.

As I started this discussion I feel that it needs a bit of balance and not just a free for all to attack a company because they personally feel that its unfair or unjust in some way that a lesser-qualified or less experienced person should earn a living in their field, if the environment allows it then let them earn, make a profit, pay salaries and contribute to the economy as this is Capitalism. If you don't like it then move back to a regulated environment. just my view

Sandboy

what a patronising <snip>- you turn them down then criticise others who slagged them off ?

slapphead_otool

Personally I am a bit picky.

I expect my flights to be piloted by people who are qualified to do so.

I expect my Doctor to have a degree in medicine.

I expect my lawyer to be qualified.

Little things like that make me feel warm at night. Together with the fact that my investments are in the hands of people who could be bothered to take time out from their busy life to actually get a few qualifications.

Alfa Q

Why should I jump on the band wagon and 'slag them off' just because I turned them down?
like I said, if you don't agree on how they may do business then don't do business with them. I turned them down because cold calling, amongst other issues is not for me but that does not mean that those that legally do it should be criticised.