Financial Services Professional Degree Apprenticeship
As a Workplace Mentor for the Investment Operations Specialist Apprenticeship (IOS) & Financial Services Professional Degree Apprenticeship (FSP), you play a crucial role in developing the next generation of professional bankers. This programme is designed to equip apprentices with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to excel in a financial environment.
On this page:
Programme Overview
There are two apprenticeship programmes that form our Financial Services Professional Degree Apprenticeship.
- Level 4 Investment Operations Specialist Apprenticeship
- Level 6 Financial Services Professional Degree Apprenticeship
These programmes combine academic learning with practical workplace experience. Here's what you need to know:
- Duration: 46 Months + EPA
- Qualification potential (pathway dependent): BSc(Hons) Applied Finance or BSc (Hons) Applied Finance and Banking
- Professional recognition:
- CISI Investment Operations Certificate
- CFA Level 1 & CBI Designation (Open Cohort)
- CBI Diploma & Capital Markets Programme (Closed Cohort)
This apprenticeship is ideal for individuals looking to learn about the financial services sector and gain a formal qualification. As a Workplace Mentor, you'll support apprentices in applying their learning to real-world business challenges, helping them develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education's (IfATE) apprenticeship standard which sets out the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours for these programmes can be found here: Level 4 / Level 6
Key Components
- Academic learning: covers a range of topics, including at level 4 – Securities & Investments, Risk in Financial Services & Technology Investment Management. At level 6 apprentices will learn – Derivatives, Regulations, Ethics and Securities, Operational Risk and Global Securities.
- Professional development: focus on personal effectiveness and core competencies
- Level 6 work-based projects: apprentices will tackle real-world organisational challenges, applying their learning directly to your business
- End-point assessment: includes a review of your apprentice's portfolio in an interview with the End Point Assessment Organisation. At level 6 this also includes a work-based project.
Your role as a Workplace Mentor is vital in guiding apprentices through this journey, helping them bridge the gap between theory and practice, and supporting their professional growth.
We are here to support you in this important role to help you effectively mentor your finance apprentice and contribute to their success.
Meet the Team
At the heart of the Financial Services Professional Degree Apprenticeship programme is a dedicated team of professionals committed to supporting both mentors and apprentices throughout their journey. Our team brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion for developing future leaders in finance.
Level 4 - Thomas Sisk MBA, SFHEA CMgr MCMI
Email: t.sisk@exeter.ac.uk
Tom oversees the Level 4 Investment Operations Specialist programme, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of quality and effectiveness. With many years’ of experience in the Investment Banking sector and education, he is dedicated to fostering a positive environment for both Mentors and Apprentices.
Level 4 – Tom Sisk - T.sisk@exeter.ac.uk - Read more about Tom Here
Level 6 – Yan Huang - Y.Huang8@exeter.ac.uk - Read more about Yan Here
Our Academic Mentors are dedicated to supporting apprentices in navigating the apprenticeship components of the Financial Services Professional programme. They play a crucial role in guiding apprentices through the process of compiling their portfolio of evidence, which showcases their learning and development throughout the programme.
Academic Mentors work closely with apprentices to ensure that they understand the requirements for their portfolios, helping them to document their experiences, reflect on their learning, and demonstrate the competencies gained in the workplace. By providing ongoing support and feedback, our Academic Mentors empower apprentices to effectively articulate their achievements and prepare for their End-Point Assessment (EPA). Their focus on practical application and real-world experiences is essential in helping apprentices succeed in their management roles.
Academic Mentors
Lead Academic Mentor - Zoe Horne - z.horne@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Zoe Here
Ruth Butler - R.A.Butler@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Ruth Here
Ben Pepper - B.Pepper@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Ben Here
Gemma Smale - G.Smale@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Gemma Here
Jasveena Bains - J.K.Bains@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Jasveena Here
Lauren Jarman - L.Jarman3@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Lauren Here
Nathan Bird - N.Bird2@exeter.ac.uk | Read More about Nathan Here
Amy Erith - A.Erith@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Amy Here
Russ Cram - R.Cram@exeter.ac.uk | Read More about Russ Here
Chris Wright - C.Wright5@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Chris Here
Honor Lovell - Education Support Administrator - finance.apprenticeships.support@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Honor Here
Ben Norrish - Employer Partnership Manager - b.norrish@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Ben Here
Sam Morris-Price - Employer Partnership Officer - s.morris-price@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Sam Here
Your Commitment Matters
Each member of our team is dedicated to ensuring that mentors have the resources and support they need to guide apprentices effectively. We believe that a strong mentor-apprentice relationship is key to the success of the Finance apprenticeship programme, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Feel free to contact us with questions, concerns, or for additional support. Together, we can make a significant impact on the professional growth of our apprentices.
Key Information and Events
Staying informed about important dates and events is crucial for effectively supporting your apprentice throughout their apprenticeship journey. Below are the key milestones and events for the current academic year. Please note that specific dates may vary slightly for individual apprentices based on their start date.
Initial Contact and Meeting
Shortly after the apprentice's induction, the Academic Mentor will contact you as the Workplace Mentor to arrange an initial meeting with you. While this meeting is not compulsory, it is highly recommended as it provides an excellent opportunity to establish a strong foundation for the apprenticeship journey.
This initial meeting allows all parties to:
- Introduce themselves and clarify their roles
- Discuss expectations for the apprenticeship
- Address any initial questions or concerns
- Begin building a collaborative relationship
As a Workplace Mentor, your role in supporting your apprentice's development is crucial. There may be times when concerns arise about an apprentice's performance or progress. It's important to address these issues promptly and effectively to ensure the best possible outcome for the Apprentice and the apprenticeship programme.
Recognising Performance Challenges
When an apprentice is struggling, the Academic Mentor will typically notify you via email as part of the escalation process. This communication will outline the specific concerns regarding the apprentice's performance, such as:
- Consistently missing deadlines
- Poor quality of work
- Lack of engagement in learning activities
- Failure to meet off-the-job (OTJ) training requirements
- Difficulties in applying learning to workplace tasks
Your Role in Addressing Concerns
Upon receiving notification from the Academic Mentor regarding performance challenges, your first step should be to meet with the apprentice to discuss the issues raised. Here’s how to approach this:
- Arrange a meeting: schedule a private meeting with your apprentice to discuss the concerns outlined in the Academic Mentor's email
- Ascertain the problem: use this opportunity to understand the extent of the problem; encourage your apprentice to share their perspective and any challenges they may be facing
- Explore solutions: collaborate with your apprentice to identify potential solutions or strategies to address the identified challenges
- Create an action plan: work together to develop a clear, achievable action plan that includes specific goals and timelines for improvement
- Follow up: schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress and provide ongoing support as needed
- Document the process: keep records of your meetings, the agreed-upon actions, and the apprentice's progress
Seeking Additional Support
If you need clarification or further assistance:
- Consult with the Academic Mentor: if you have questions about the situation or need more information about the apprenticeship requirements, reach out to the Academic Mentor for guidance
- Escalation process: if the performance issues persist despite your interventions, or if you encounter a problem that you feel unable to resolve, inform the Academic Mentor
Preventive Measures
To help prevent performance issues:
- Maintain regular check-ins with your apprentice, such as weekly or bi-weekly meetings
- Provide timely feedback on their work and progress
- Ensure they have adequate time and resources for their OTJ training
- Encourage open communication about any challenges they're facing
Remember, your primary role in addressing concerns is to support your apprentice's success in the programme. By taking a proactive, supportive approach and addressing issues early, you can help your apprentice overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.
- The next Workplace Mentor training session is to be confirmed. If you would like to view a video recording of the previous session, please contact Sam Morris-Price - s.morris-price@exeter.ac.uk.
Contact us
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us. I look forward to hearing from you!
Zoe Horne
Lead Academic Mentor
Email: z.horne@exeter.ac.uk
← Back to Workplace Mentor general resources
Level 6 - Yan Huang
Email: Y.Huang8@exeter.ac.uk
Yan oversees the Level 6 Financial Service Professional programme, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of quality and effectiveness. With many years of experience in the Financial Education sector, she is dedicated to driving high-quality training through our apprenticeship programme.
Zoe Horne
Email: z.horne@exeter.ac.uk
As the Academic Mentor Manager for the Finance programmes, Zoe oversees the academic support provided to Apprentices and Mentors alike. With over 20 years working in the financial services sector, she is committed to ensuring that all apprentices achieve their academic goals. Zoe serves as the primary point of contact for apprenticeship and portfolio enquiries and works closely with the mentoring team to align academic learning with workplace experiences.
Ruth Butler
Email: R.A.Butler@exeter.ac.uk
My name is Ruth Butler and I am an Academic mentor for Degree Apprenticeships within the Exeter Business school. My role is to support and guide Apprentices to build a high quality portfolio ready for their End Point Assessment.
I have delivered apprenticeship programmes since 2008. Prior to this, I had a successful career managing childcare businesses.
Ben Pepper
Email: B.Pepper@exeter.ac.uk
Ben has 15 years working in apprenticeship delivery with public and private training providers. In a previous life Ben owned and managed restaurants.
Gemma Smale
Email: G.Smale@exeter.ac.uk
I was excited to join the Business School in September 2021 as an Academic Mentor for Degree Apprenticeships. This was following a 2 year career break with my young family - prior to which I enjoyed a 19 year career in Retail Banking.
I am incredibly passionate about supporting, coaching and developing others to realise their potential and thrive on seeing them achieve this.
Prior to my career break I worked at Barclays Banks for 19 years. Most recently in senior leadership where I led a large team across 5 diverse sites.
I started my banking career as a cashier and progressed onto a variety of roles - including training and mentoring other leaders, working on a national project and leading on colleague development and well being.
Jasveena Bains
Email: J.K.Bains@exeter.ac.uk
Jasveena joined the Business School in January 2022.
Prior to this she worked within the restart scheme supporting individuals to get back in to work. Jasveena has also worked within the apprenticeships sector, specialising in financial services. This was driven whilst being an apprentice.
Jasveena is passionate about supporting and mentoring individuals to unlock their true potential. This includes providing pastoral support and coaching people to gain the most from their experience.
Jasveena believes that apprenticeships not only, provide experience and knowledge but also develop personal skills which are important for career progression and self-development.
Lauren Jarman
Email: L.Jarman3@exeter.ac.uk
Lauren joined the Business School in August 2022, as an Academic Mentor for Financial Degree Apprentices following an 18-year career in financial services.
Lauren is passionate about supporting and developing others to realise their full potential and believes apprenticeships are an invaluable opportunity for career progression and self-development.
In the 18 years she worked within a retail bank and progressed through the ranks from cashier to management and finally a mortgage advisor for the 4 last years.
Lauren has managed branches and teams and worked closely with apprentices.
Nathan Bird
Email: N.Bird2@exeter.ac.uk
Nathan joined the Business School in June 2023, as an Academic Mentor for the Investment Operations Specialist apprenticeship following an 8-year career both serving in and working alongside the Royal Navy / Royal Marines.
After 6 years in the Royal Navy Nathan left but stayed working within the educational support services for the Royal Marines helping to deliver apprenticeship programmes for various levels. He worked within many levels of apprenticeships from recruits to more senior individuals progressing to higher ranks within their chosen specialisation. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for supporting & mentoring others and helping them to achieve their full potential.
Amy Erith
Email: A.Erith@exeter.ac.uk
I joined the Business School in October 2023 as an Academic Mentor for the Applied Finance Degree Apprenticeships following a successful career in both Further Education and in Learning and Development in the Charity Sector.
With a focus on the learner experience and a passion for wellbeing, I bring a wealth of experience in both pastoral care and education and have successfully supported a range of students through Apprenticeships and Vocational qualifications throughout my career; as well as this I have experience in supporting custodians with Mental Health, working with Dartmoor Prison Service to provide an open forum for men to discuss their mental health. I believe the key to my success is my ability to forge working relationships with individuals at all levels, developing them both through education and support.
In my spare time I focus on my wellbeing through running and walking, and combined with my experience of working with those who have poor mental health allows me to provide the best support possible to our students.
Russ Cram
Email: R.Cram@exeter.ac.uk
Russell joined the Business School in January 2024 as an Academic Mentor following a career of over 37 years within the financial services industry, where he has held Senior Manager positions within both the Unit Trust and Insurance industries and has extensive operational experience dealing with the financial adviser and intermediary community.
Russell has managed large teams dedicated to providing excellent customer service and he is excited about the opportunity to work with apprentices as they start out on their own careers within the industry.
Outside of work Russell enjoys watching sport, playing golf, travelling, spending time with his family and walking their dogs, Louie and Maizie.
Chris Wright
Email: C.wright@exeter.ac.uk
Chris joined the Business School as an Academic Mentor for the Finance Degree Apprenticeship Programmes in September 2024. Prior to that, Chris supported apprentices in the Student Services Team for Degree Apprenticeships.
Chris is a qualified teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching internationally. He is passionate about supporting others on their learning journeys to help them achieve their full potential.
Ben Norrish
Email: B.norrish@exeter.ac.uk
Ben is an Employer Partnership Manager responsible for supporting organisations with onboarding prospective Apprentices from the initial marketing stage through to contracting and providing progress reports. He works closely with the academic and administrative support team to provide employer partners with a smooth apprenticeship experience.
Sam Morris-Price
Email: S.morris-price@exeter.ac.uk
Sam is an Employer Partnership Officer responsible for supporting organisations with onboarding prospective Apprentices from the initial marketing stage through to contracting and providing progress reports. He works closely with the academic and administrative support team to provide employer partners with a smooth apprenticeship experience.
Honor Lovell
Email: h.i.lovell@exeter.ac.uk
Honor is responsible for providing administrative support and resources to both Mentors and Apprentices. She ensures that all necessary documentation is in place and assists with any logistical concerns related to the Financial Services Professional Degree Apprenticeship programme.
