Former York Knight Kris Brining’s inspirational career move

Kriss Brining, 32, made his professional debut for the York Knights in 2011 aged just 17, rising through the club’s scholarship system. He spent six seasons with the Knights, and by the end of the 2016 season, he earned a move to Betfred Super League side Salford Red Devils.

However, a serious neck injury during his time at Salford prompted Kriss to consider his future beyond rugby. With a PGCE in primary teaching already under his belt, returning to education was his initial thought. But after speaking with career advisers and reflecting on his long-standing interest in financial services, Kriss decided to pursue a new direction.

A LinkedIn job post advertising an apprenticeship at PenLife Associates proved to be the turning point. Although overqualified for an entry-level position, PenLife recognised Kriss’s potential and offered him a tailored fast-track route into financial planning.

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When his contract with Salford concluded at the end of 2018, Kriss returned to York both to rejoin the York Knights and to begin his new journey with PenLife. Signing with the Knights he said aligned perfectly with his start at the firm, allowing him to pursue both passions side by side.

In 2021, Kriss qualified as an Independent Financial Planner, an achievement he credits in large part to PenLife’s supportive culture.

He said: “PenLife has given me the space to grow both personally and professionally. The team works closely together, shares knowledge openly, and genuinely cares. It’s a fantastic environment to learn and continually improve.”

Following another injury in 2022, Kriss decided to hang up his boots to spend more time with his family and enjoy his career as a Financial Planner. As for the role, Kriss says he has found it to be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.

Kris Brining has a successful new career as an independent financial planner (Image: York Press)

Kriss explained: “I love meeting different people and helping them work toward what matters most to them. Understanding their goals, building a plan around those goals, and seeing it deliver real results is incredibly rewarding. Supporting clients throughout life’s different stages is what makes the job so interesting.”

PenLife Director, Deb Jacobs, praised Kriss’s contribution.

She added: “Kriss brings a combination of discipline, empathy, and determination to his work. His journey from professional sport to financial planning is inspiring, and his commitment to clients reflects the values we stand for at PenLife. We are incredibly proud of everything he has achieved and everything still to come.”