Selaine Saxby: Quilter Financial Adviser

A lot can change in a year. Since speaking with the incredible nominees at the West Country Women’s Awards, I have transitioned from student to business owner, completing my Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and launching my career as a Financial Planning Consultant with Quilter Financial Advisers. But while my professional journey was reaching new heights, my personal life was met with a “sultry lesson” that reinforced exactly why this work is so vital.

In early 2026, my father suffered a fall that led to a lengthy hospital stay and a move into a care home. Confronted with advanced dementia and no Power of Attorney in place, our family was stripped of the ability to manage his health and finances. At the same time, I discovered my mother’s inheritance—a six-figure sum—had been invested based on advice from her hairdresser, with the records hidden away in a missing Boots bag. This experience, navigating the complexities of court-ordered Deputyship and the fog of unmanaged assets, inspired me to ensure no other family has to face such a bewildering predicament alone.