
Mission Accomplished: Hear how James Knight transitioned from the Royal Marines to business owner with the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy
James Knight's transition from the military to a successful career in financial advice exemplifies bravery, determination, and adaptability. As the Principal Partner of Knight Wealth Management, he shares how his discipline, leadership skills, and teamwork played a vital role in his self-employed success.
Driven by a desire for personal growth and the need to spend more time with his family, James made the decision to leave the military: “I was drawn to financial services because I wanted a complete.”
After exploring his various options, James was introduced to the Academy: “A friend explained the business model to me. I’d never have to miss my kids’ sports day again because I’d have complete control over what I’d be doing. That was a powerful statement to me.”
James’s military background provided a solid foundation for his new career: “Initially, I wasn’t sure what transferrable skills I would have from the military. But it soon became apparent as I moved through the Academy that my career to date had been very varied. I’d met with a lot of people, and I started to realise I’d developed networking skills that I could bring forward into my career.”
The discipline instilled in him during his service translated into a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to remain composed under pressure—a valuable skill set in the fast-paced financial profession. “The intrinsic motivation I brought from my background was really valuable: you have to be driven to run your own business. Overall, military people are very motivated.”
Speaking to the Academy, James explains that the biggest challenge of joining the programme was adjusting to a completely new and unfamiliar territory: it was a real uphill learning curve to get to grips with all the new information. However, nothing worth having is ever easy: “I knew that you have to work hard to be self-employed, but it’s at a time and place of your choosing. You’re not told to be at your desk, you choose to be there. There’s a big difference.”
James explains that since he has launched his business with the Academy, he has not only enjoyed the variety in his new role, but also the support available at St. James’s Place: “every single day is different, but it’s great that if I get stuck, there’s always someone who has done this before me who can help. From the technical teams to my business partner, I’ve got a wealth of support to draw upon.” James explains that SJP’s support network is a familiar model to the career he came from: “if you didn’t have something in the military, you’d ask for it. I’ve always enjoyed having that support, and now I’ve got a FTSE 100 company behind me as I move forward with my business.”