For most financial planners, the point of entry into the industry is either from an adjacent field or by working up from admin through paraplanning roles.

But not Tim. His route stands out as unconventional, but it's far from hindering his professional success. 

Law school. A year in Swansea chasing training contracts that never materialised. A sales recruitment firm. And then, a client engagement role at a financial planning firm in Cheltenham, a job he recruited for without really knowing the industry. 

On day one, his main question was: What exactly is financial planning?

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam sits down with Tim Brienza, a self-employed financial planner with Montpelier Asset Management, to trace the full arc of his career, from that accidental entry point to managing close to £50 million in assets under management as a chartered fellow in his mid-thirties.

Tim talks with Sam about how the unique first role that gave him a bird's-eye view of the profession, before he ever gave a piece of advice, how he leapt into advice and got chartered within 12 months of his first client meeting, but most importantly, his deliberate approach to networking that built his client base over a decade without him ever chasing the wrong people in the wrong rooms.

He also breaks down the reality of going self-employed and what it's like to help build a firm from scratch. He shares the tips and ambitious approach he’s adopted to propel him into a career as a financial adviser, now managing £50AUM. 

Tim also explains his voluntary role with the Personal Finance Society and how their inaugural New Gen programme aims to bring more young people into a profession he believes is one of the best-kept career secrets going.

The episode's key takeaways 🔥

• Why an unconventional entry into financial planning can be a career superpower
• How Tim built a £50M client base through patient, peer-level networking: not chasing senior partners
• Why learning on someone else's time and money is the smartest move any entrepreneurial adviser can make
• The reality of going self-employed: the J curve, the squeaky bum moments, and what comes out the other side
• Why the relationships you build before you need them are the ones that build your business
• What it takes to get chartered in 12 months while managing 200 clients from day one
• Why financial planning doesn't need a degree: and what it can offer people who don't know it exists yet

Whether you're a young financial planner trying to figure out how to build a client base, someone considering the move to self-employment, or just curious about what a decade of unconventional decisions can produce, this episode is worth your time.

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

75% of financial advisers lose their AUM when a client passes away. 

Not because of bad performance. Not because of high fees. Simply because nobody built a relationship with the next generation.

Ben Mason from Kinvault did something about that. 

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam sits down with Ben Mason, the founder of Kinvault, to discuss the technology he built to address one of the most overlooked risks in financial planning: intergenerational wealth transfer. Ben explains why AUM walks out the door on death, why families are being failed at their most vulnerable moments, and how a simple, white-labelled platform is changing both of those things at once.

They get into the real numbers, why 25% of beneficiaries don't even know they can stay with the existing adviser, why only 4% of Gen X clients retain the family's financial adviser after inheriting, and why 90% of widows who do switch move to a female adviser. They also discuss what KinVault does for clients while they're still alive, why Ben believes this kind of solution will be a baseline industry expectation within five years, and the story of the adviser who lost £2.6 million over Christmas and called Ben in January to say he should have done it sooner.

At £10 per household per year, the maths speak for themselves.

Whether you manage a book of 200 clients or 2,000, if you haven't thought seriously about what happens to your AUM when your clients die, this is the episode to start with.

In this episode, we discuss…

• Why 75% of AUM leaves on client death, and the three reasons behind it
• How Kinvault builds a relationship with the next generation before it's ever needed
• What the platform does for clients during their lifetime, not just at the point of death
• The generational retention gap that should concern every adviser 
• Why women are being left out of the financial planning process, and what that costs at the point of transfer
• Cost, implementation, and why this won't become shelfware
• The story of the adviser who lost £2.6 million over Christmas and signed up in January

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

Most financial planning firms have both a financial planner and an investment manager. Far fewer have a team that operates as a single unit, with a shared philosophy, clearly defined roles, and a consistent client experience regardless of who's in the room or where the client happens to be.

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam sits down with George Davey (Financial Planner) and Matt Beddall (Regional Managing Partner) from Titan Private Wealth, to discuss what that kind of partnership looks like in practice and why it makes such a difference for the clients they work with.

George manages over £100 million in client assets and specialises in repatriation work for clients returning to the UK from the Middle East. Matt spent 25 years at some of the UK's largest investment management firms before joining Titan to help build something different. Together, they argue that the relationship between a financial planner and an investment manager is among the most undervalued in the profession.

George and Matt discuss what a genuine house view means for client outcomes, how their roles complement each other during client meetings, and why service will always matter more than performance when building long-term trust.

They also get into the One Titan philosophy, what it means for clients who move abroad, come back to the UK, or have financial lives that span more than one country, and why very few firms can follow a client through those transitions the way Titan can.

The episode's key takeaways 🔥

• Why a shared investment philosophy produces better outcomes than a bespoke-for-everyone approach
• How financial planners and investment managers divide roles to give clients clarity rather than confusion
• Why service comes before performance, and what that looks like during volatile markets
• How Titan supports clients repatriating from the Middle East and other international markets
• What One Titan means in practice for clients whose lives and wealth span multiple geographies
• Why long-term trust is built through consistency, not strong quarters
• What draws experienced investment managers and financial planners to Titan, and what they find when they get there

Whether you're a financial planner curious about what a true investment management partnership looks like, or an experienced investment manager wondering if there's a better place to do the work you love, this episode is worth your time.

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction: George and Matt's backgrounds

5:30 - George's route into financial planning and joining Titan

12:00 - Matt's 25 years in investment management and why he made the move

19:15 - What a genuine house view means and why consistency is the product

27:40 - How financial planners and investment managers work together in practice

35:10 - Building trust with ultra-high-net-worth clients over the long term

42:25 - Repatriation work and the complexity of worldwide  clients

50:00

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

Should technical professionals go freelance immediately or start as employed advisers? Alwyn Van Staden's journey offers a fresh perspective on entering financial planning from a technical background.

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, we chat to Alwyn about his strategic career path from investment management to financial advice. Despite having deep technical knowledge and years of experience at major firms, Alwyn made a choice to join St. James's Place as an employed adviser instead of going independent immediately.

The result? He's now managing over £150 million in client assets as an independent adviser with Pinnacle Wealth Management.

Alwyn shares his perspective on why employment first worked better than jumping straight into freelance life, how technical skills transfer to client success, and why building confidence matters more than rushing into independence.

Sam and Alwyn discuss the real pressures of starting a financial planning career, the benefits of structured training programmes, and how employment can actually be more liberating than restrictive for career changers.

The episode’s key takeaways 🔥

• Why technical professionals often fear client-facing roles and the strategic benefits of being employed
• How St. James's Place's training programme builds real confidence and removes business pressure
• Why are technical skills becoming a competitive advantage in client relationships
• The power of life planning through Voyant software to create visual client stories
• Building a referral based practice through exceptional client delivery
• The transition from employed adviser to successful independent practice
• Why employment and independence are complementary career phases, not competing paths

If you're considering a move into financial planning, especially from a technical background, this episode offers a practical blueprint for making the transition successfully.

⏱️Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction and Alwyn's background 

5:15 - The decision to leave technical roles for financial planning 

12:30 - Why he chose St. James's Place over going independent 

18:45 - The power of structured training programmes 

25:10 - How technical skills translate to client success 

32:20 - Building confidence through the employed route 

40:15 - The transition to independence with Pinnacle Wealth 

47:30 - Life planning and the Voyant software approach 

55:45 - Building a referral-based practice 

62:10 - Future plans and inheritance tax focus

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

Frazer James aren't looking for every candidate. They're looking for A++ people.

Check out the jobs and book a meeting with James Mackay today!!

And if that's you, or if you’re also interested in attracting some of the industry’s best talent, then this episode was made for you.

In this week’s episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes is joined by James Mackay, co-founder of Frazer James, to find out what a firm that's serious about attracting exceptional talent actually looks like from the inside.

James and Chris Hindle built Frazer James from scratch, with no clients or referrals, and today it's growing at 40% year on year. 

The reason? A founding philosophy that is rarely brought to fruition: build the business you'd actually want to work for.

He breaks down exactly what that means in practice. Explaining the five-stage career framework inside every role. The benefits package, which includes a four-month paid sabbatical, a 5% personal growth allowance and up to three months working abroad. Plus, the associate financial planner pathway, a carefully designed development programme that actually delivers on what most firms only promise.

The episode’s key takeaways 🔥

• Why Frazer James only want A++ people, and what they offer them
• The five-stage career framework baked into every role
• Administrator salaries up to £55k. Paraplanners up to £85k. Planners up to £130k
• The four-month fully paid sabbatical and how it works in practice
• Why outcomes matter more than hours at Frazer James
• The associate pathway from shadowing to managing 60+ client relationships
• Who this firm is genuinely built for…and who it isn't

If you're an exceptional financial planner, paraplanner or administrator who's been waiting for an environment that actually matches, you’ll want to listen to this one. 

⏱️Timestamps:
[00:00] – Why most financial planning careers only go one direction
[01:45] – How Frazer James started from zero in a Bristol pub
[04:10] – Building a firm you'd actually want to work for
[07:30] – The five-stage career framework explained
[11:20] – What the administrator role really looks like at Frazer James
[15:40] – Remote working, outcomes and maximum autonomy
[19:15] – The full benefits package: sabbaticals, growth allowances and more
[23:00] – The associate financial planner pathway — and why it's different
[27:30] – Lewis's story: from associate to managing 60 client relationships
[31:10] – Who Frazer James is built for (and who it isn't)
[35:00] – What the talent shortage means for financial planning firms
[38:45] – The roles Frazer James is hiring for right now

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

What actually determines whether a financial advice firm can be successfully sold?

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, we sit down with Dan Dickinson to explore the reality behind selling a business and why most advisers are thinking about exit in the wrong way.

From the outside, exit often looks like a financial event.

Valuations, deal structures, and timing.

But as Dan shares, the real pressure points sit elsewhere: in culture, in structure, and in whether a business can truly operate without its founder.

He talks through his own journey of exploring multiple offers before joining Titan Wealth, and why many deals fell through despite strong financial terms.

Because when conditions start affecting client outcomes or how a business operates day to day, the decision becomes far more complex.

This episode also explores what happens beyond the deal:

👉 How to involve your team in the process

👉 Why shared ownership changes everything

👉 What “One Titan” means in practice

👉 And how advice firms are evolving towards more integrated, team-based models

This isn’t just a conversation about selling.

It’s about how financial planning businesses are built, and what makes them transferable, scalable, and sustainable long-term.

If you’re thinking about growth, succession, or exit, this episode is for you.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Why most advisers get exit wrong

02:10 – Dan Dickinson’s journey and building a lasting business

05:30 – The reality behind selling a firm

08:45 – When deals don’t align with client outcomes

12:20 – Why the Titan Wealth deal worked

16:10 – Bringing the team into the process

20:35 – What happens after the deal completes

24:50 – Competitor pressure and retaining your team

28:15 – “One Titan” and a new advice model

33:40 – Moving from individual advisers to team-based delivery

38:10 – What advisers should think about when planning exit

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

What if financial advisers could spend 70%… or even 100% of their time with clients?

Book a demo - here 

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, we sit down with Alan Gurung, founder of AdvisoryAI, to explore how AI is reshaping the way advice firms operate.

From disconnected tech stacks and time-heavy admin, to compliance bottlenecks and the growing advice gap, this conversation gets to the core of what’s really holding advisers back.

Alan shares how AI agents like Colin, Evie and Atlas are already helping firms reduce admin, improve compliance oversight, and uncover insights hidden across multiple systems.

But this isn’t just about technology: It’s about time.

Because if advisers can spend more of it with clients, everything changes: capacity, growth, and the ability to serve more people.

If you’re thinking about the future of financial advice or how to scale without burning out, this episode is for you.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introducing AdvisoryAI & the vision

01:55 – From financial planner to AI builder

03:17 – Why financial advice doesn’t scale

06:12 – The advice gap explained

09:47 – The biggest bottlenecks in advice firms

12:40 – Introducing Atlas: connecting the tech stack

14:18 – Real-world AI use cases for advisers

18:24 – The future of AI in financial planning

28:05 – Meet the AI agents: Evie, Emma & Colin

43:05 – Rethinking compliance with AI

48:58 – Increasing capacity & serving more clients

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Want to be part of the conversation or feature on the show? Reach out to [email protected]

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

Consolidation is rapidly reshaping the financial planning profession.

But what’s really driving it? And what does it actually mean for advisers, firm owners, and the future of advice businesses?

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes sits down with James Kaberry and Andrew Fearon, co-founders of Titan Wealth, to unpack the reality behind consolidation, private equity, and the structural changes happening across the industry.

Drawing on their experience building one of the UK’s fastest-scaling advice businesses, James and Andrew share an inside perspective on what it really takes to grow through acquisition, integrate firms, and create a centralised model that goes beyond the traditional approach to financial advice.

They also explore the deeper forces driving consolidation, including an ageing adviser population, increasing regulatory pressure, and the growing need for businesses that are scalable, transferable, and built for the future.

A key part of the conversation focuses on Titan Wealth’s global expat advice model, supporting UK clients as they move across jurisdictions. This approach highlights how scale is no longer just about growth, but about building the capability to serve increasingly complex client needs.

Alongside this, James and Andrew discuss their working relationship, the role of trust in leadership, and how private equity is enabling a new generation of advice firms to emerge.

This episode offers a clear and honest look at where financial planning is heading and what advisers need to consider as the profession continues to evolve.

🎧 In this episode, we discuss:

• Why consolidation in financial planning is accelerating
• The reality of succession planning and retiring firm owners
• Why the “cottage industry” model is being challenged
• How private equity is funding growth and acquisitions in advice firms
• The misconceptions and realities of working with private equity
• How Titan Wealth is building a global expat advice model
• Why scale is about capability, not just size
• The importance of trust in building and leading a business
• The operational challenges of integrating acquired firms
• What consolidation means for advisers, business owners, and career paths

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: Consolidation in financial planning
03:15 James Kaberry & Andrew Fearon’s background
07:40 Why the advice profession is at a turning point
12:10 The reality of succession and retiring firm owners
18:25 Why consolidation is no longer optional
24:30 The role of private equity in financial planning
30:45 Misconceptions around private equity
36:20 Building Titan Wealth’s acquisition and integration model
42:10 The global expat advice proposition explained
48:35 Why scale creates capability in advice firms
54:20 Trust, leadership, and building the right team
01:00:10 What the future of financial planning looks like

Consolidation isn’t just a trend. It’s a structural shift.

And the firms that understand it will be better positioned for the future.

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for more insights into careers and trends within financial planning.

Reach out to [email protected] regarding sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

What happens when you realise your relationship with money needs to change, and it ends up changing your entire life?

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes speaks with Hannah Wooldridge about her journey from living with £10,000 of debt without concern to becoming debt-free and pursuing a career in financial planning.

Hannah shares the moment that shifted her perspective, how she paid off her debt within a year, and why that experience sparked a deeper curiosity about saving, investing, and financial independence.

She also opens up about leaving a job that no longer aligned with her values, how building an emergency fund gave her the freedom to step away, and what it’s like exploring financial planning as a career in real time.

This episode highlights the power of mindset, the importance of financial education, and why lived experience is becoming increasingly valuable in the next generation of financial advisers.

Key Takeaways 🔥

• Why debt often feels normal while it’s building
• The mindset shift that drives real financial change
• How paying off debt can spark curiosity about money
• Why investing feels complex (and how to push past it)
• The importance of emergency funds for life flexibility
• How financial security enables career decisions
• Why financial planning is becoming more accessible
• The value of sharing your journey before you’re qualified
• How lived experience builds stronger client relationships

If you’re thinking about improving your relationship with money or considering a career in financial planning, this episode offers a relatable and honest perspective on what it really takes to change direction.

Follow Hannah on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

What happens when a professional athlete’s career comes to an end… and what comes next? 

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes sits down with Ethan Waller, a former professional rugby player turned financial planner at Titan Wealth, to explore the reality of transitioning out of sport and into a new career. 

Ethan shares his personal journey from a 14-year rugby career into financial planning, opening up about the emotional challenges that come with losing identity, structure and purpose, even when you think you’re prepared. 

He breaks down Titan Wealth’s Sports Academy, a new programme designed to help athletes retrain as financial advisers while still playing, giving them the qualifications, experience and support needed to step into a second career with confidence. 

This episode covers the hidden side of life after professional sport, why financial planning is a natural fit for athletes, and how, with the right structure, community and opportunity, it can open up an entirely new pool of professionals. 

Key Takeaways 🔥

• Why transitioning out of professional sport is often harder than expected
• How Titan Wealth’s Sports Academy helps athletes retrain as financial advisers
• The emotional impact of losing identity, purpose, and structure after sport
• Why financial planning is a natural career fit for athletes
• The importance of starting qualifications while still playing
• How real client exposure accelerates learning and confidence
• The benefits of an employed route when changing careers
• The key skills needed to succeed as a financial planner

If you’re an athlete or considering a career change from any industry into financial planning, this is a powerful and honest conversation about what it really takes to start again. 

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes is joined by Helen Longland from Openwork and David Tait from Redmill Advance to explore how advisers are really being developed in today’s profession and what it takes to build an academy that works at scale without losing quality.

Helen and David bring a long-standing working relationship into the conversation. Having partnered on previous academies, they share how that experience shaped the decision for Openwork to work with Redmill again when launching its new Academy. This episode gives a clear view of how that partnership operates in practice and why trust, transparency, and delivery matter when developing new advisers.

The discussion begins with the wider industry context. An ageing adviser population, ongoing challenges in attracting new talent, and why firm-led recruitment alone is no longer enough to address the advice gap. From there, Helen explains how the Openwork Academy has been structured to provide a clearer, more supported route into the profession.

Listeners are taken step by step through the Academy journey. Starting with RO qualifications and internal licensing, where technical knowledge is built alongside advice skills and communication. This is supported by Redmill through structured learning, blended delivery, and clear visibility on learner progress.

The journey then moves into central employed practice, where individuals begin working with real clients while being supported by experienced advisers, managers, and coaches. This stage also includes Competent Adviser Status sign-off, removing a key barrier many face when entering the profession.

From there, the focus shifts to ongoing development. Advisers continue to build their capability through Openwork’s Business School, with access to continuous professional development, leadership training, and further qualifications. For those looking to build their own businesses, the Route to Principal provides a structured pathway into running a firm, supported by peer-to-peer learning and growth programmes.

The episode also explores the flexibility within the Academy. Individuals can progress at their own pace, with the option to specialise in protection or mortgages, or continue through to full diploma-level advice. A key part of this is the employed route, which remains rare in the market and plays an important role in attracting both younger entrants and second careerists.

Alongside this, Helen shares insight into OWL Financial, where she is Director. This provides a self-employed protection route, with real examples of individuals building advice businesses alongside existing careers before progressing further.

Throughout the episode, David explains how Redmill supports the Academy at every stage. From qualification delivery and learner insight to helping Openwork scale while maintaining quality and consistency. The partnership demonstrates how training providers can play a central role in building sustainable adviser pipelines.

The conversation also addresses the realities of the profession, including different learning styles, the transition from mortgages to wealth, and the importance of not rushing the development of new advisers.

What listeners will learn from this episode

• Why most academy models struggle when they scale and what needs to be in place to avoid that
• How learner data and visibility remove guesswork and allow early support
• Why combining technical learning with advice skills from day one improves outcomes
• What actually happens between passing exams and becoming a competent adviser
• Why Competent Adviser Status is a major barrier&

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance

Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.

✅ Trusted by top UK firms

👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. 

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.