Paving the Way: A Professional Pathway for Aspiring Financial Planners

When we talk about financial planning, many people think of it as synonymous with financial advice. But in reality, they are two distinct disciplines, with financial planning offering a much broader, person-centred approach. As the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) puts it:

“A financial planner focuses on you – your goals, your aspirations, your concerns. They look at the bigger picture and deliver a holistic strategy with a financial plan. A financial adviser focuses solely on a single aspect – which may be your money and your investments.”

This distinction is crucial, yet today’s professional pathways often lead aspiring financial planners into a sales-driven career in financial advice, which can be disheartening for many. Especially for the younger generation, like Gen Z, who are more interested in finding purpose, creating balance, and solving client problems than accumulating assets under management (AUM).

The Current State of Play

Right now, most major academies and professional tracks are set up to serve financial advice firms—those that form the bedrock of the financial services industry.  Like St James’s Place, Openwork and Quilter, as well as groups such as The Verve Foundation and M&G’s Academy. The expectation is that new entrants will be attracted to a sales career, helping firms grow their AUM. But this doesn’t appeal to everyone, and it certainly isn’t a good fit for those who seek a more meaningful career in financial planning.

Many who think they’re entering the world of financial planning soon discover they’re on the career ladder of the financial advice industry instead. And when it comes to opportunities in financial planning, there’s a glaring gap. There aren’t large financial planning firms offering structured career pathways. Instead, we find smaller boutique firms with limited employed roles. These firms tend to hire advisers not necessarily for their experience, but for the book of clients they bring along with them—clients whose assets they’ve accumulated in previous roles. It’s not the training or development of new talent that matters, but the existing portfolio.

This is a significant hurdle for aspiring financial planners who don’t want to be tied to sales targets or competent adviser status. But that’s precisely why I am so determined to create an alternative.

The Vision: A Professional Pathway for Financial Planners

My mission is to create a clear, professional pathway for new starters who want to become financial planners, without needing to first establish themselves as competent financial advisers. This pathway will be built on education, skills, and an emphasis on holistic planning—not sales.

I’ve already been in discussions with professional bodies, including CISI, to develop this pathway. They recognise the need for financial planning to be treated as a distinct profession, separate from financial advice. This could open the door for many aspiring planners who want to make a difference in clients’ lives through comprehensive, goal-oriented strategies rather than product sales.

Get Involved

To kickstart this initiative, I’m inviting everyone to an Academy Partner Parade on Thursday 24th October, at 4 PM via Zoom. CISI will be joining us to share their perspective and outline their vision for this pathway. This event is open to all Academy subscribers—and by the way, subscription is free! All you need to do is subscribe first, then register for the event.

Subscribe Here (First): Subscription Link.

Register for the Evenyt Here (Next): Registration Link.

It’s time to start building a professional career in financial planning that reflects the values and aspirations of the next generation. Together, we can create a new standard—one that’s rooted in transparency, accessibility, and, most importantly, a holistic approach to helping clients achieve their life goals.

Join us and be part of shaping the future of financial planning. Let’s take the first step towards making this vision a reality.