Rebecca Dorrian, a senior corporate adviser at Chase De Vere, says that being awarded Best Pension Adviser (Individual) at Corporate Adviser’s awards last year has delivered positive benefits to her day-to-day working life.
This was the first time that individual awards were presented, alongside those for advisory firms and providers.
Dorrian says the award was a real recognition and validation of the work she does, particularly as she was also shortlisted for the Healthcare and Group Risk Adviser of the Year.
Dorrian has worked for Chase de Vere for 25 years, and advises businesses of all sizes on their employee benefits offering, as well as mentoring younger members of the team. She says the award has made a concrete difference, particularly when talking to prospective new clients and working on new tenders.
“An award like this carries real weight, particularly as it relates to me as an individual and the work I do.
“It has also resulted in very positive feedback, both from my colleagues and the wider team at Chase de Vere, and from my existing clients. It has been a really positive experience all round.”
Dorrian says that the award is now “proudly included” in her email signature, and has been used in the internal and external communications used by Chase de Vere.
The award recognised Dorrian’s expertise across a range of areas, including M&A, fund transitions, governance and advice and insight given on ESG and ethical investment considerations.
The judges highlighted Dorrian’s work with female-led businesses and organisations, and her “outstanding” commitment to delivering financial education for domestic abuse victims. The judges described Dorrian’s award entry as evidencing a “rare blend of technical skill and empathy”.
Dorrian says that corporate advisers across the sector all demonstrate a high skill level in what is a varied and demanding role. But specialising in particular key areas, such as her work with victims of domestic violence, allowed her entry to stand out from a competitive field of entries.
While winning the award was “amazing”, she says she also found the process of compiling the entry and listing her different skills and achievements “both reassuring and hugely satisfying”.
She says: “I enjoyed the whole process. It is good to sit back and look at what you have achieved through your work. This reinforced to me how the work we do really makes a difference to clients and their employees. It is an opportunity to reflect and appreciate what a valuable job you do.”
She says she was buoyed by the positive feedback from the judges regarding her entry and the glitzy awards night itself was “brilliant”. “It is great to be recognised by your peers in the industry. And on a personal level it has meant a lot. My family has been very proud of this achievement. My son saw my award and my picture in Corporate Adviser and now thinks I’m famous! I feel like I am winning at life.”
She urges anyone who is considering entering this year to do so. “When it comes to completing an entry form I’d recommend thinking about what you do as a consultant that goes over and above the day-to-day minimum and helps your business stand out from the crowd.”
She adds: “The whole process has been very rewarding. It was a great opportunity to focus on what I am doing with my career and why.
“Winning the award on the night was the icing on the cake. I didn’t necessarily think I would win the award, but I am very glad I did.”