Walker Crips Financial Planning is celebrating five years of its successful internship programme in collaboration with the University of York. Since its launch, the programme has provided students with invaluable hands-on experience in financial planning, equipping them with essential industry skills and opportunities for long-term career development.
The internship programme offers University of York students a unique chance to gain real-world insights into the Financial Services industry. Many of the programme’s participants have gone on to pursue successful careers in financial planning, with some returning to Walker Crips as part of their professional journey.
“As we embark on our fifth internship cycle, we continue to be impressed by the calibre of candidates joining us,” said Don Formhals, finance & operations director at Walker Crips Financial Planning. “The interns bring immense value to our team from the outset, contributing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Even if they spend just one year with us, the impact is significant. But when they choose to return and build their careers with us, it’s even better. Good people find their place, and we’re proud to see our interns progressing through our financial training plans.”
One such success story is George Smart, a former intern who returned to Walker Crips and is now advancing through the firm's financial training programme. He is currently focusing on report writing, paraplanning and contributing to a pioneering project exploring the use of AI in financial planning.
This year’s intern, Archie Blair, has played a key role in supporting the team with the adoption of a new back-office system, demonstrating how the programme provides students with meaningful responsibilities that have a real impact on business operations.
Rhiannon Heraty, iInternships officer at the University of York, highlighted the programme’s benefits: “Walker Crips offers a standout opportunity for our students to apply their academic knowledge in a professional setting. The combination of mentorship, industry exposure and practical experience makes this an exceptional internship. It’s fantastic to see students thriving in the programme and using it as a stepping stone for their careers.”
Interviews for this year's internship have now commenced and the firm is keen to introduce this year's successful candidate to financial planning with Walker Crips.
