We’re thrilled to celebrate Max’s recent success in passing the RO1: Regulation and Ethics exam—his first significant milestone as part of the apprenticeship programme he began just eight months ago. RO1 isn’t just any exam; it’s a formal assessment within his course, and it covers some of the most critical foundations of the financial planning profession. From understanding the structure of the UK financial services industry to learning about legal frameworks, ethical responsibilities, and how regulation protects consumers, it’s a comprehensive introduction to the field.

Max approached the challenge with curiosity and his usual brilliant sense of humour, saying:

“Now I am able to understand why there are so many rules and regulations in place within our industry and why we need to be so careful—not just with the advice we give but how we deliver and maintain it. I’m now able to see how the entire UK financial sector is regulated.”

Despite the heavy subject matter (and now the occasional eye-roll at the word “regulation”), Max managed to find the silver lining:

“The most enjoyable part—although I’d happily never hear about regulation again—was learning something new and getting to test the advisors’ knowledge from time to time during my studies. It was quite amusing watching them sweat!”

Not one to rest on his laurels, Max is already diving into the next module, hoping it might be “a bit more fun than regulation.” We have no doubt he’ll tackle it with the same sharp focus and spirit. Well done, Max—excellent work.