From the moment I jumped on a call with Zoe, I knew she was the very person we were looking for to join the Jacksons Paraplanner (PP) team! Zoe has a warmth that reaches you through her smile, she is honest, fun and extremely focused. When we look for a new team member, we often have something specific in mind, a set of skills and attributes that the team and company need at that time and Zoe has bought to the table everything we needed and more!
Zoe took about two minutes to get right in the middle of the workload here; with her previous experience she came with knowledge and a hunger to learn more. We are different to other firms, so it can be an adjustment to pick up the same role but looking at it from another perspective; Zoe has seen this as a challenge and with precision focus she has worked diligently and listened intently to what we were all about. For someone closer to the start of her financial planning journey, she brings a maturity and commitment beyond her years. Long story short, she is smashing it!
What else have we learnt about Zoe so far? She is imaginative with her healthy cheesecake (which she has yet to make for anyone else), she is strong, the gym is her thing! She likes good coffee, adores her cat Simba and loves a holiday!
Right let me pass over to Zoe so she can let you in a little more…
You went to Uni a long way away, what was the motivation? What did you want to do?
I actually wanted to go to Edinburgh but my mum said it was too far from Cornwall, and drew the line at the Midlands. I wanted to go somewhere completely different, where I had to live on my own and be independent and so I decided that Loughborough was the best place for me!
I studied Sport Science and Geography and absolutely loved it!! I wouldn’t change my time there at all. When I first left for Uni I thought I wanted to be a PE teacher, but as my course went on, I changed my mind and decided I wanted to go into something Geography based, and would have loved to be involved in marine conservation.
Tell us a little of your journey that led you into the financial planning world?
After Uni, I stayed living in Leicester but in 2023 I decided it was time to move home. However, I couldn’t move back to Cornwall without a job. Thankfully my mum was already working in financial services and decided I would be quite good at it. Next thing I know, I’m moving back, studying for R01 and starting a new job as a trainee paraplanner all in the space of two months!
I know change can be daunting sometimes, was it a big step to talk to us?
Absolutely! I’m so grateful that Sharon started the conversation with just a simple “hi”! I lacked the confidence to put myself out there, knowing the reputation Jacksons had, and I didn’t think I was qualified or experienced enough. Thankfully, that first conversation with Sharon was like talking to an old friend, she made me feel so comfortable and straight away I knew I wanted to work here. And as they say, the rest is history!
Like me you love cats, tell us about Simba?
Simba, Simba, Simba… She really is like my baby! She is domestic shorthair but there is definitely a little bit of Bengal mixed in! I rescued her when I was still living in Leicester, after she had her tail amputated and she has been my best friend since day one! Despite being tail-less, and having a traumatic start to life, she is the most loving, precious cat you could ever meet. She loves nothing more than sleeping on my chest or climbing my shoulder like a parrot!
The ‘gram tells us you like a good coffee, apart from here (of course) where is your favourite coffee/croissant stop?
Nothing makes me happier than a good croissant and coffee on a Sunday morning, so much so that I have a separate Instagram where I rate a pastry each week! The best coffee is from Yallah in St Ives, whether I have one in their coffee shop or have their beans somewhere else, I love the smoothness that comes in every cup of caffeine goodness.
The best almond croissant… that’s a tough call between Canteen in Mount Hawke and De Bara in St Columb. The sugary, almond topping, thick, rich frangipane, and the flaky, buttery pastry… you just can’t go wrong in my opinion! In the name of providing others with the best bakeries, I have made it my mission to try as many as possible, and I’m not complaining about it!
You and Tom (PP at JMFP) have entered a Hyrox competition, what motivated you to do that?
Once I stepped away from bodybuilding, I need a new challenge. I love the functional style of training and seeing how far I could push myself so I decided a Hyrox would be my next challenge. I asked some of my friends to do it with me but no one else was that keen. Cue the discussion with Tom in the office who had the same thoughts… he wanted to do one but as a pair to start with. So, in my wisdom I decided that we could do one together!
What have you learnt about yourself since joining JMFP?
That if you are surrounded by the right team, you really can achieve anything you want to! I came to Jacksons unsure whether I would have the knowledge to fit in with the rest of the paraplanning team, however, working closely with Sharon and Tom has proven (mostly to myself) that I really do know what I’m talking about! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an expert but if there’s one thing Jacksons has taught me, it’s to have more confidence in my own ability because I do know how to be a paraplanner and do the best for our clients.
What we have to say about Zoe
Me again, (Sharon). Thank you for this Zoe, I actually loved reading this and I already feel like I know you so well! See, I told you her smile really comes through, that is why we love her!
It’s such a privilege to work with someone, not only to guide them through their journey of being a paraplanner but also have them open to learning more about themselves, Zoe is both humble and highly motivated to grow.
Zoe is as honest as we all wish we could be, she is thoughtful and determined to learn more and be more. We are working hard here at Jacksons to communicate with you more, so you will definitely get the chance to meet and speak with Zoe; if you do, you will be left with complete reassurance and knowing she has put her heart and soul in to helping you with your journey.
This article was written by Zoe Stratton-Knowles, Paraplanner, with a bit of help from Sharon Bray.
Learn more about Zoe here