Young professional boxers are being supported by deVere Group in order to help recruit and inspire the next generation of financial advisers.
The global adviser firm confirmed the initiative in a statement on 19 January, that it is to sponsor and work alongside Jack Catterall, Laura Pain and Rhiannon Dixon throughout 2023.
Catterall held the British light-welterweight title in 2017 and challenged for the undisputed light-welterweight title in February 2022. Pain is a 3-0 champion and former Team GB Boxer, and former hospital pharmacist Dixon is now a 7-0 professional boxer.
James Green, deVere's regional director Europe & Latin America, said teaming up with these highly promising "world champions of the future" is a "win-win scenario" for the boxers and boxing, and aspiring financial advisers and the industry.
"These partnerships, which involve financial sponsorship, mentoring and promotion of some of the brightest boxing talent, showcase our unshakable commitment to helping young people fulfil their maximum potential.
"It underscores that as an organisation we're fully invested in shining a spotlight on nurturing young talent to become the best they can be."
He continued: "We wanted to work with Jack, Laura and Rhiannon because the soft skills and mindset that they display in the ring, illustrate precisely what the next generation of financial advisers need in order to get ahead and forge a successful career.
"When you see these pros boxing, you immediately recognise their resilience, hard work, determination, focus and discipline. These qualities are also necessary for a highly rewarding trajectory in the financial industry."
Jack Catterall said: "It's a real honour for me to be supported by such an incredible company. I have high expectations for myself and to be partnered up with a high team of highly driven individuals is a real pleasure. I have zero doubt this partnership will help me grow not only in my career as a professional athlete, but in life more generally."
Laura Pain said: "Having deVere's support is going to help push me to the next level. Having the backing to support my dream is incredible and I'm certain we will reach the top together."
Rhiannon Dixon added: "I'm so grateful to be sponsored by a company which holds the same values as I do. Their support is vital to my continuing development and progression in boxing."
De Vere Group said its backing would help boxing as it helps fund and support some of the sport's best young talent.
But, with the strong parallels that have been drawn, James Green said it will also help the financial advisory industry recruit the next generation - something, he says, is "urgently needed."
He said: "As demand for financial advice continues to soar, and as older advisers retire and some small firms exit the market due to regulatory scrutiny, plus the time it takes to train people sufficiently, we urgently must do more to attract young talented people into the industry.
"A failure to do so, as numbers of advisers drop and demand increases, will mean that financial advice would become exclusively available only for the wealthiest of those in society.
"We must move to highlight the rewarding career opportunities available within the energetic, dynamic and booming financial advisory sector. We hope our partnership with these super-talented boxers contributes to this."
