Robyn Allen Solutions LTD – Pledges to Inspire Future Leaders
How do you turn redundancy into a fresh start and build a business that protects others while uplifting your community? For Robyn Allen, Director of Robyn Allen Solutions Ltd, that journey began at 17 and led to a career filled with courage, care, and clarity.
As part of The Changing Education Group’s Inspire Future Leaders series, Robyn shares her powerful story of growing from her first job at Halifax to launching her financial advice firm and why learning from the ground up matters.
Who is Robyn Allen, and what does her company do?
Robyn Allen is the founder and director of Robyn Allen Solutions Ltd, a specialist financial protection firm offering tailored advice to individuals and families. Her business is part of the Openwork Network, one of the UK’s largest and most trusted financial advice networks.
Robyn’s company delivers:
- Expert protection advice (life insurance, income protection, critical illness cover)
- Products from top UK financial service providers
- Compassionate, client-first service built on transparency and trust
- Support for The Openwork Foundation, helping disadvantaged children across the UK and abroad
Robyn’s approach is simple: listen well, advise carefully, and help people protect their futures, personally and financially.
What inspired Robyn to start her own financial firm?
Robyn began her career at just 17, following in her father’s footsteps with a role at Halifax. She worked her way through a range of positions, gaining hands-on knowledge of the financial services sector. But it was the role of Financial Consultant, helping customers secure their futures, that truly sparked her passion.
In 2014, after being made redundant, Robyn took a bold step. Rather than stepping back, she moved forward, launching Robyn Allen Solutions Ltd, a business built on everything she’d learned from the ground up.
“If you can learn from the ground up, nothing will surprise you and you’ll never have a knowledge gap.”
– Robyn Allen
Her journey is proof that with knowledge, resilience, and heart, you can turn setbacks into opportunities and lead a career that feels purposeful.
What advice does Robyn offer to students exploring financial careers?
Robyn’s story is rich in lessons for students, not just about finance, but about finding purpose, staying adaptable, and building something meaningful over time.
Her advice includes:
- Start early, learn deeply: The more you understand from the bottom up, the more confident and capable you’ll become.
- Don’t fear change: Redundancy opened a door for Robyn; it could do the same for others.
- Focus on people: Great advice is built on listening, empathy, and trust.
- Give back: Success isn’t just about income, it’s about impact.
Robyn’s journey also highlights that financial services isn’t just about numbers, it’s about relationships and responsibility.
How does this support career education in UK schools?
Robyn’s interview directly supports Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 5 by:
- Connecting maths, business, and economics to real-world careers
- Showcasing female leadership in financial services
- Demonstrating how students can enter the workforce young and grow from experience
- Providing an honest, relatable account of starting and running a business
At The Changing Education Group, we believe stories like Robyn’s help students understand not just what a job is, but what a career can become.
Building Confidence, Knowledge, and Careers; Robyn Allen’s Message to Future Leaders
Robyn Allen’s journey proves that you don’t need a straight path to build a strong career. With the right mindset, a willingness to learn, and the courage to step out on your own, anything is possible.
Her advice is timely, her example is empowering, and her business is helping protect the futures of others, one conversation at a time.
Want your students to hear more real-world career stories like Robyn’s?
Book a demo and discover how our Work Experience Suite connects schools with powerful industry insights.
FAQs
What does Robyn Allen Solutions Ltd do?
The firm provides tailored financial protection advice, including life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection, to individuals and families across the UK.
Why is Robyn Allen featured in this series?
Robyn’s inspiring journey from her first job at 17 to business owner highlights resilience, integrity, and the human side of financial services.
Do you need a degree to work in finance?
Not necessarily. Robyn began straight from school, proving that experience, training, and motivation can lead to success in the industry.
How does this support Gatsby Benchmarks?
It supports Benchmarks 4 and 5 by linking curriculum learning to careers and offering meaningful employer insight.
How can my school access more stories like this?
The Changing Education Group’s Work Experience Suite includes interviews, virtual employer sessions, and tools to enhance careers education across key stages.