The firm has been supporting the former Wick High School pupil through these exams, as well as offering her a role within the growing Wick office.

Ms Ross recently passed exams in ‘Mortgage Advice and Financial Services’, as well as ‘Regulations and Ethics’. She is currently combining her full-time job with studying for a qualification in ‘Financial Protection’ to further develop her knowledge and skillset.

Ms Ross said: “I am delighted to be part of Phil Anderson Financial Services Ltd and have received a very warm welcome. I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to become a mortgage advisor within Phil’s team, and I hope to further develop my knowledge and experience in the coming months and years with the help of Richard, Phil and the team. Richard has been a great support to me since I started with the firm.

“I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know our clients, and helping them to save money and purchase their new homes – it’s a real privilege for me, and I look forward to helping more people in the Caithness area in the years to come.”

Phil Anderson, the firm’s founder and MD, added: “It’s a real pleasure to welcome Kayleigh to the team. She has demonstrated an extremely strong work-ethic in passing her exams and combining full-time work with study. She has very quickly established herself as a capable and trusted member of the team who shares our ethos of helping clients to the best of our ability.

“We have been really busy since establishing our Wick branch and that looks set to continue – we have no doubt that Kayleigh will be a great asset in helping us to advise and support our clients in the Caithness area going forward.”

Richard Bain has been supporting Kayleigh in her new role in the Wick office. Having worked in financial services for many years, and become a very well-known figure in the area, Richard has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement award in the Finance Awards 2020.

Mr Bain began his career with the Prudential as a financial adviser before setting up CRB Investment. Phil Anderson Financial Services took over CRB Investment over nine years ago, with Richard working with the firm as a mortgage and protection adviser since then.

Phil Anderson paid tribute to Richard saying, “He has helped many people over the years, and he has shown so much dedication to clients in the time I have known him Now that Kayleigh has joined the Wick team, Richard is now focusing on financial protection, which is an area of particular specialism for him. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all his hard work, and all the support and guidance he has given to Kayleigh as she embarks on her career.”