Gabby Butten nee Houseman is a Financial Planner with boosst, awarded the Financial Planning Firm of the Year in 2020 and again in 2025.  She recently spoke with the Bradfield Society about her background, career and the importance of mentoring...

Having initially intended to become a Doctor after Bradfield, Gabby chose A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, with Economics as a fourth option. She absolutely fell in love with it, leading to a change of heart and her decision to studying Economics and Maths at Loughborough University. Shortly after graduating she began her career as a financial planner at boosst, where she has remained for the last 9 years.

‘I’d always hoped to find a role that combined technical excellence with the opportunity to build genuine relationships and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Becoming a financial planner couldn’t have been a better fit for me.’

boosst has a very comprehensive career development structure, requiring advisers to reach the highest level of financial qualification (CFP) and extensive shadowing of senior financial planners before they begin looking after their own families - their mentoring culture is very strong.

In her role as a mentor for Bradfield, Gabby returned to Bradfield as one of the Financial Services representatives for a pupil networking event last November, as well as mentoring a pupil who was interested in a career in finance, under the supervision of the Horizons Department.

Gabby volunteers as a mentor because she understands first-hand the transformative power of guidance and encouragement at the right time.

‘Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have exceptional mentors, and I now feel a strong responsibility to support those at an earlier stage of their journey.’

When Gabby began her career at boosst, she was paired with an outstanding mentor, Keith, whose influence has been pivotal in her progression from Trainee to Financial Planner. He consistently challenged her to think bigger, broaden her perspective, and stretch beyond her comfort zone, including encouraging her to speak at the sectors annual UK conference in front of hundreds of peers.

‘That experience changed my confidence entirely. I genuinely don’t believe I’d be where I am today without his support.’

Tips for a good mentor; ‘I believe the best mentor is someone who is a few steps ahead of you on the journey, close enough to understand where you are, but far enough ahead to challenge your thinking.  My mentor is in his 50s, but every day is still a school day. He's always pushing himself to do more.' Inspired by that approach, Gabby has deliberately stepped outside her own comfort zone. One example was volunteering as a Police Special Constable for several years alongside her Financial Planning role.

Tips for career prospect improvement; ‘We are currently recruiting for our next ‘bright to boosst’ trainee to start the journey I did several years ago and are naturally drawn to candidates who bring more than just grades. Worldly experience, interesting pursuits, and evidence of personal growth often stand out just as much as technical ability. We’ve often found that candidates with a sporting background, for example, tend to be strong team players. They understand discipline, commitment and how to contribute to something bigger than themselves.’

Last year Gabby was interviewed by the Financial Times about working in the Financial Planning industry as part of their ‘51 in 51 series’ which follows 51 women in UK financial services to understand their routes into the profession and to encourage more young people into one of the many different roles within financial services. If you are interested read the Financial Times article published on 4 Sep 2025, read Gabby's Financial Times interview here

If you are interested to learn about a career in Financial Planning, read Gabby’s Mentoring Profile. In addition to her mentoring role, Gabby also has a business profile on the Bradfield Society Business Directory, boosst Financial Planning

Now it’s over to you…

To find a mentor in your career area of interest,visit the Mentor Directory and reach out to connect with your potential mentor

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out, email a member of the Bradfield Society team would be happy to help, email us at bradfieldsociety@bradfieldcollege.org.uk