Meet the team: Humaira Chowdhury

Tell us about your role?

I am Head of Client Relationship Management here at First Wealth. I have been working with Robert Caplan for the last 4 years looking after his existing clients as well as his newer clients. Working with Robert Caplan for so long has meant I have developed substantial relationships with his existing clients and with his newer clients, I have been a part of seeing their new journey through with them. His clients keep me busy which is great as remaining stimulated in any job is important.

I look after the other Client Relationship Managers too. My job is to get them into a really good place with their role, so they become the heartbeat of their team. They work collaboratively with their Technical Analysts and Planners, so chemistry is super important between each team. Client Relationship Managers are the go-to for their team and clients, Planners need to focus on advice and being present with clients. Our job is to ensure they are fully equipped to have invaluable meetings with clients and that things are moving forward with them and their lives. We spin a lot of plates day to day but always keep in mind that the priority is clients getting the most out of the service provided by First Wealth. We never take for granted that we look after client money – establishing trust, remaining personal and problem solving is key here.

I spend a lot of time training individuals in the business because you need lots of people good at things, not the same people good at the same things. Its rewarding training people who then go onto train other people. There’s a lot of checking in with the Client Relationship Managers, their teams – making sure they know I am their go to and so being available is vital. I am very conscious of their progression – First Wealth hire based on raw talent and the majority of them flourish and I cannot tell you how fulfilling that is to see. My team are all ambitious, competitive and know what their futures look like. They will be the future of First Wealth.

Being a manager means I have to deal with scenarios I would not usually. Being emotionally available, checking in with individuals not just to do with work but their actual lives – I am still learning myself and my team give me the opportunity to get better at being a manager. Although testing at times, I cannot tell you how proud I am of them.

Tell us a bit yourself?

My parents moved to London from Bangladesh in 1990 and had me in 1991. I grew up in Essex and I love it there. I was always academic and athletic. I went to university to study Law because I studied it at sixth form and LOVED IT. University in London was tough for me, I didn’t adjust like I thought I would – I had friends but I stopped enjoying Law, I stopped turning up and just wanted to graduate.

I had been working in retail since I was 17 as it was important to me that I was getting a job, being independent with money, learning how to drive, giving back – my parents made sure as soon as it was legal for me to do those things I did them. I got scouted by Abercrombie/Hollister/Gilly Hicks, my social media blew up and I got signed to an agency then I got sucked into that “lifestyle” for a while. It was fun but I knew I wanted to work in London, I was not sure what I was going to do but I knew that’s where I wanted to be.

I applied for a lot of places, I got rejected a lot but a financial planning firm in London took me on. That firm made me who I am today, it was tough, I was selling insurance whist trying to build a client bank organically but the character building I did there, the number of exams, training, learning and development I did there professionally and personally – I will never forget it.

I wanted to move into wealth management, somewhere more aligned with my values. I handed in my notice, started applying via recruitment companies and they put me in touch with First Wealth. The first person I spoke to was Kerry, she made me feel so welcome from the get-go – I felt an immediate attraction to First Wealth.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you do?

I would be a Youtuber doing make up tutorials or vlogging – you could say an influencer? But morals, ethics, charity work is important to me as well so there would be a need for me to give back. I would love to have been a lecturer, I have always enjoyed teaching/training people. It is a dream of mine to go back to Bangladesh to teach young girls – I was one of the lucky ones thanks to my parents but I can never forget how difficult it is for people back home and their standard of living. When you are from a third world country, you never forget how easy you have it compared to others.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I have a good work/life balance so having fun whilst also getting downtime/personal space is important to me. I spend a lot of time with my friends and family, eating out, and going to new hotspots in London. I love going away, I never want to say no to anything but at the same time watching documentaries, watching make up tutorials on YouTube, getting adequate sleep and working out is just as good.

What is your 5-year plan?

I want to see my team progress, all of them want to become Planners and I know they can do it. Hiring talented individuals, helping them go all the way – I want to be a part of that. I want to be a Director here. I know First Wealth will be bigger in 5 years’ time and I don’t know what we will look like but I am happy to be here. I could say meet the love of my life, buy a home, get a dog, have children, go on several holidays a year but to have every aspect of my life figured out is not the kind of person I am. So long as I can say I am doing what I want, I am happy with what I have, I am having a positive impact on people and this world – that’s what matters most to me.

Humaira Chowdhury is now Team Manager

This document is marketing material for a retail audience and does not constitute advice or recommendations. Past performance is not a guide to future performance and may not be repeated. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.