A Bath-based finance firm is making sure there is life after rugby for one former star.
After 11 years at The Rec ex-Bath Rugby star Andrew Beattie, who was forced out of the game last March because of ankle injury, can now be found in the offices of independent financial advisers AWD Chase de Vere.
Working as an associate adviser, under the watchful eye of senior financial planners David Thornber and Andrew Goodey, Beattie joined the company last summer as part of the company's Adviser Academy.
Adviser Academy is a two-year programme where new inexperienced employees will work alongside the other Academy Advisers, sitting in client meetings and writing reports, while taking the professional qualifications required to become an adviser.
Jason Walker, regional manager at AWD Chase de Vere, said: "We established the Adviser Academy to help young talent from within the industry, or capable people from outside who are looking for a career change, to develop the necessary skills and professional qualifications to become our Independent Financial Advisers of the future."
The 34-year-old, who made 238 appearances for Bath Rugby, said: "I'd done some work experience with different companies in the finance sector and I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to come to AWD Chase de Vere a few times.
"One of the main things that really interests me is meeting clients and new faces and building relationships, which is one thing I can take from rugby."
Beattie had completed the work placements, while still playing rugby, with the help of the Rugby Players Association, which is an organisation that helps players nearing retirement look for other career opportunities.
He said: "I miss match day but I don't miss training in all weathers, especially when it was driving with rain.
"I had a great 14 years playing, it was a great chapter in my life but now I have a new exciting chapter beginning.
"It's always going to be difficult because you've gone from the top of your game and you have to start again from the bottom but it's an exciting challenge."
And his new bosses have high hopes for their new recruit.
Mr Walker said: "Andrew has the capabilities to be incredibly successful in his new chosen career and if he applies the dedication that led to him playing top-flight rugby for over a decade, he should become a valuable asset to our company."