‘Never stand still’ was a mantra that caught my eye while I navigated my way through Cannon Street on my first day travelling to STEP HQ. Little did I know it, but this seemingly random phrase, the first of many I encountered on that journey, would perfectly sum up my first few weeks’ experience with STEP as the new Employer Relationships Manager.
When STEP first came into my consciousness, I learnt about its mission, vision, and role in pushing the boundaries, shaping policy and raising standards to ensure companies and practitioners can make an even greater impact in peoples’ lives. However, what was not evident at the time was how an extended community of innovative, passionate and ambitious thought leaders who never rest on their laurels supports this. STEP colleagues, members, firms and other stakeholders all embody the ‘never stand still’ mantra.
Aside from an ecosystem of practitioners who work tirelessly to support families in securing their financial futures through a number of different means, something that has also struck me as I have navigated through STEP’s own ecosystem is how familiar some of the sector’s challenges and priorities are. Whether it’s the recruitment and retention of staff, accessing best practice, developing young talent, embracing new technology or knowing what ‘excellent’ looks like; supporting practitioners to make sense of these and other areas is pivotal in raising standards and driving the industry forward in an ethical, sustainable manner. However, I appreciate that this is sometimes easier said than done. Years of having worked to support members of other professional bodies on their journey towards excellence has taught me that balancing everyday practice, while seeking opportunities to develop and evolve, can be a challenge. A pertinent question I can imagine practitioners asking themselves is how do we move forward with so many other pressures, priorities and outside influences such as changes to policy and legislation? This is where STEP’s knowhow comes into its own.
I have already had the pleasure of meeting one of our Employer Partners, and it was clear from that conversation how quickly the trusts and estates landscape has evolved and continues to do so, and how businesses must adapt to this. It was also clear how the Employer Partnership Programme (EPP) has played an important role in supporting practitioners and the firms they work for. Whether practitioners are looking to challenge themselves and improve their practice, or a firm is looking to invest in its talent and demonstrate its commitment to improving standards, EPP provides a framework and quality mark upon which to build.
It is still early days for me, but I am very much looking forward to meeting more Employer Partners, and welcoming new Partners. We achieved an important milestone earlier this year when our 100th Employer Partner joined the programme, and together we have achieved so much already. Imagine what we could do with even more. Never stand still.
Ejike Agubor, Employer Relationships Manager
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