Baggette + Co Wealth Management continues its strategic investment in the future of financial planning with the appointment of Chloe Blackmore as the first participant in its newly launched Financial Adviser Development Academy.
This pioneering programme is part of the firm’s wider commitment to reshaping how talent enters the profession, reinforcing its position as a leading provider of independent financial advice across Dorset and Hampshire.
Designed to provide a clear and fully supported pathway into financial planning, the Academy offers motivated individuals the opportunity to progress from entry-level roles to Chartered Financial Planner status – without the need for a traditional university route.
Poole-based Chloe Blackmore, 19, becomes the very first trainee to join the programme, having previously completed a successful internship with the firm while studying for her T-Levels in Accounting and Finance at Poole High School.
“From the beginning, I knew Baggette + Co was different,” Chloe shared. “I came from a big corporate placement where I felt like just a number. Here, it’s the total opposite – it’s like a family. Everyone knows each other and genuinely wants you to succeed.”
“Financial advice is still seen as a bit of a hidden career – especially for girls in school,” she explained.
“So many young people are steered towards law or medicine, but financial planning is such a rewarding path. I want to help change those perceptions and show that financial planning is an amazing career. I’m excited to be part of that change.”
Changing the Status Quo in Financial Planning
The Financial Adviser Development Academy isn’t just a training scheme – it’s a direct challenge to outdated recruitment routes that have made financial advice inaccessible to too many for too long.
Designed in partnership with Skills Edge and the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), the programme blends professional study with real-world experience, mentoring, and paid work.
Over six years, trainees progress through structured stages from administrative support to paraplanning and then into client-facing advisory roles – with the aim of becoming fully qualified Chartered Independent Financial Advisers.
“The profession has to modernise,” said Jo Hjalmas, Managing Director.
“We want to continually attract talented people from different backgrounds and pathways – people who are empathetic, ethical, and passionate about helping others. Chloe absolutely embodies that, and we’re proud she’s the first part of the Financial Advisers Development Academy.”
Jo continued:
“This is about genuine choice. Choice for clients in who they trust. Choice for school leavers who don’t want university. Choice for women entering a male-dominated industry. This is about shaping the future of independent financial planning – and doing it differently. Something that embodies all of our business values.”
With only 16% of financial advisers in the UK currently being women, Chloe’s decision to pursue this financial planning path also holds wider importance.
“There are so few visible female IFAs,” she said.
“That’s one reason I’m excited to be doing this. If I can inspire even one more person to consider a career as a financial adviser – especially another young woman – I’ll be over the moon.”
Supporting Clients with Confidence and Clarity
While the Academy looks to the future, it’s also rooted in the values that have long set Baggette + Co apart – personalised financial advice, genuinely independent thinking, and a calm, caring approach that offers clients lasting peace of mind.
“Clients come to us not just for pensions or investments – they come for reassurance,” said Oscar Hjalmas, CEO.
“It’s about knowing someone is in your corner. That you’re not just a number. That someone understands your hopes, your family, your future. Chloe gets that already, which is why she’ll be such a great financial adviser in years to come.”
The firm’s reputation for wealth management, pension planning and retirement planning in Poole, Bournemouth, and across Dorset has been built over decades – and the Academy ensures that this culture of trust, transparency, and excellence continues long into the future.
Appointments Following a Period of Sustained Growth
This appointment comes as Baggette + Co Wealth Management continues its ambitious expansion following a sustained period of growth over the last two years. The firm has seen its Financial Adviser, Client Services and Paraplanning teams grow significantly, reinforcing its ability to deliver high-quality support to both advisers and clients.
This growth has also been reflected at a senior level with the recent appointments of a Head of Marketing and Head of Client Services. These are two key strategic hires helping to elevate brand presence, deepen client engagement and enhance awareness of the value of independent financial advice.
Investing in the Next Generation
Baggette + Co’s launch of the Academy is part of its broader commitment to long-term talent development and the future of the profession. With roots in Poole since 1986, the firm has grown significantly in recent years following its 2023 management buyout. Today, it employs more than 30 professionals and is widely recognised as one of the leading independent financial advisory firms in Dorset and Hampshire.
Baggette + Co remains firmly committed to investing in exceptional people, maintaining its reputation as one of the most trusted and experienced wealth management firms across the South Coast.
“This is more than just a training programme,” added Oscar Hjalmas. “It’s a long-term investment in the future of our profession. We’re proud to be creating real opportunities for young people in our community – and to support brilliant individuals like Chloe on their journey.”
Learning While Earning
Chloe’s formal study begins this September, with modules covering everything from investment advice and cashflow planning to ethics, compliance, and client communication. She’ll be working four days a week, with one dedicated study day, and receiving full support from the in-house team and external trainers.
“The best bit is that it’s clear, structured and real,” Chloe said.
“You know what’s coming, what qualifications you’ll get, when your exams are. And because I’m learning while working, I’m already seeing how it all applies in real life. It’s honestly the perfect mix for me.”
And she’s already thinking big.
“I want to go all the way and become a Chartered Financial Planner, helping people feel confident with their money, and maybe one day mentor others through the programme too. I know I’ve found my thing.”
Interested in a Career in Financial Planning?
If you’re passionate about helping people and want to explore a career in financial advice or wealth management, contact Jo Hjalmas on 01202 676983 or email [email protected].
Baggette + Co Wealth Management is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning, tax advice, will writing or trusts. The above information is correct to the best of our understanding as at the date of publication. Nothing within this content is intended as, or can be relied upon, as financial advice. Capital is at risk. You may get back less than you invested. Tax rules may change, and the value of tax reliefs depends on your individual circumstances.