With Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day still fresh in our minds, it’s an important opportunity to reflect on women's' roles in shaping financial futures - not just for themselves, but for families, communities and the next generation.
We recently celebrated reaching 1,000 female advisers in the Partnership, more than 50% of which were trained at our Academy, contributing more than 500 new faces into the profession. However, there's still far more we can do to better the profession in terms of diversity and representation.
At the SJP Academy, we see first‑hand how women thrive in financial advice. The industry needs more women. Clients need more women. And the future of financial literacy needs them too.
3 reasons women make great financial advisers - and why we need them more now than ever:
1. Women are disproportionately affected by the financial literacy gap - and uniquely positioned to close it
Global research shows that women often report lower confidence in their financial knowledge, even though the gap in actual financial literacy is heavily shaped by socialisation, access, and systemic factors - not capability (Journal of Financial Education).
This is exactly why representation matters. Money is rarely just money. Divorce. Bereavement. Caring responsibilities. When women become advisers, they change the landscape. They make financial advice feel accessible to women who may not have the confidence to handle money by themselves.
2. Representation is becoming more critical as women gain more financial power
Women are projected to hold more of the UK’s wealth than ever in the coming years, yet only 18% of UK financial advisers are women (The Women's Wealth Alliance). Clients often want to speak with advisers they feel reflect their lived experiences, and many women prefer speaking to another woman about sensitive financial concerns - not because men lack skill, but because representation builds relatability and trust.
It's crucial that the profession can reflect the clients it services. Every client deserves to work with an adviser who they feel represents them, to whom they can connect.
3. Financial advice offers purpose, autonomy and flexibility - the exact qualities many women seek in a career
Across our Academy cohorts, women frequently cite similar motivations:
- A desire for meaningful, people‑first work
- Career autonomy and flexibility without impacting earning potential
- A sponsored pathway to rebuild confidence after career breaks
- The ability to grow a business on their own terms
- A profession where empathy is an asset, not an afterthought
Almost 30% of Academy participants are women, which is above the industry average, but we're still focused on moving the dial, introducing more and more women to the profession. We know it's a career that more women than ever are embracing and thriving in. Our partnerships with organisations supporting women returners, flexible workers and career changers help open doors for women who previously felt the sector wasn’t “for them.”
A profession strengthened by women - and stronger still when more women join
Celebrating women in financial advice isn’t about comparison. It’s about acknowledging reality:
- The financial literacy gap exists
- Women are uniquely affected by it
- And women advisers play a critical role in closing it.
If you’re exploring a career change - or simply wondering whether your skills and lived experience could make a difference -the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy is here to support your next step.
Apply to become an adviser today or request more information.