St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy wins Best Financial Adviser Academy at the Money Marketing Awards 2026

Carole Piper, Executive Manager from the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy collected the award and said: 

“We’re incredibly proud to see the Academy recognised again by the Money Marketing Awards. But the real measure of its success is the people who have been through it and what they go on to achieve.”

“Our graduates join us with different careers, experiences and reasons for wanting to become financial advisers. Seeing them build successful new careers, support their clients and bring new perspectives into the profession is what makes this recognition special.”

“We want to continue opening up financial advice to talented people from all backgrounds and give them the training, support and opportunity to build a career they can be proud of.” 

Opening up financial advice to new talent 

You don’t need to have worked in financial services to become a financial adviser.

People joining the Academy have come from more than 25 different professions, including the military, professional sport, retail and hospitality. Additionally, the Academy welcomes individuals returning to work or looking for a new direction in their career. In fact, 45% of Academy participants came from outside financial services in 2025. 

The Academy programme combines professional qualifications with technical learning and practical experience. Candidates also know where their career will take them before training begins, with a confirmed route to either join an existing SJP Practice as an adviser or establish their own advice business.

This means people changing careers have a clear route from training and qualification into their new profession, supported throughout by mentoring, coaching and a network of peers and experienced professionals.

Helping to build a more diverse profession 

Increasing diversity within financial advice continues to be an important focus for the Academy.

Women represented 27% of advisers joining through the Academy in 2025, and more than half of the 1,000 women currently within the SJP Partnership trained through the Academy. The Academy is continuing its work to encourage more women to consider financial advice, including those looking to change careers or return to work.

More women are also rising to higher management and executive positions, albeit the pace of growth is slow and a significant gender pay gap persists.

Find out more about women building careers in financial advice through the SJP Academy.

But the numbers tell only part of the story. The success of the Academy is best seen through the people who have built new careers through it.

Former British Army Apache helicopter pilot Henry Anderson, for example, joined the Academy after 18 years in the military and no previous experience in financial planning. Four years after first discovering the profession at a service-leavers event, Henry was named Newcomer Adviser of the Year at the Professional Adviser Awards 2026. 

Women live longer than men on average, but due to the continued gender pay gap, and more women than men having gaps in their career due to caring responsibilities, there is a significant gender pension gap.

Hear Henry talk about his journey into financial advice.

Could financial advice be your next career? 

Whether you’re considering a complete career change, returning to work or already working within financial services, the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy provides a structured route to qualification and a new career in financial advice. 

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