Just Wealth, the financial advisory arm of Just Mortgages, has launched a programme to help qualified paraplanners, technicians and bank staff move into client facing roles.
The ‘Fast Track Academy’ aims to provide the skills and support needed for individuals to become financial advisers.
Just Wealth said its programme will be particularly appealing for individuals who no longer want to be a part of an existing firm and to self-employed advisers who do not have a large, established client base and often are lacking in new leads or clients.
Just Wealth’s head of wealth, David Magee said the company had conversations with a number of qualified people who feel trapped in support roles and would like to set up their own businesses but were not sure how to do it.
“Having the right knowledge and qualifications is just one part of running a successful business. Many of the candidates we spoke to needed help to make the step from a support or admin role across to advising clients for themselves.”
Magee explained that the academy was specifically created to provide support in marketing, lead-generation and client management while also giving individuals the freedom to offer holistic financial advice and recommend whichever product they believe is best for the client.
“One of the most important components to our Fast Track Academy is the focus we provide around the client journey and the ability to ask clients appropriate and relevant questions,” he added.
Just Wealth said advisers working for the firm are self-employed and free to advise as they see fit but are provided with leads, ongoing training, compliance, mentoring and marketing support.
“Client acquisition is the foundation of a successful business but is often the most daunting for a new financial adviser and anecdotally we are told the main reason advisers are afraid to strike out on their own,” Magee said.
“Referrals to Just Wealth advisers from our parent business Just Mortgages have been increasing steadily throughout the first half of the year which is a main driver for the launch of the academy. We have clients looking for wealth advice and need more advisers to fill the gap.”
In June, Just Mortgages also launched a training programme specifically for people looking to move into mortgage and protection advice.
jane.matthews@ft.com
