Andrew Bramley's adviser journey

Andrew’s career in financial services spans more than three decades.

Starting out as a trainee lawyer, he quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit. A move into sales at insurance business Commercial Union followed, but again, Andrew felt something was missing in his career.

It wasn’t until he moved into financial advice in 1988 that Andrew found his long-term direction and greater job satisfaction.

He joined an IFA firm, became a Partner in 1995, and went on to lead regional growth before eventually setting up his own business in 2001.

For over 35 years, Andrew built a successful career as an independent adviser developing a loyal client base.

A career at a crossroads

Despite his success, including building his own advice business, Andrew knew he had to think about his future.

While he had previously been approached by St. James’s Place (SJP), the timing had never felt right for him to join the group. But now, as his career progressed, the question of an exit strategy became increasingly important.

Andrew explored other options to give him reassurance he was considering a range of paths. But none aligned as well with what he was looking for.

Ultimately, it was Andrew who made the move to re-engage, connecting with the SJP team and exploring the opportunity more seriously.

Rethinking ‘independence’

Andrew did have reservations about stepping away from his independent adviser status, something that had defined his career.

But over time, his perspective shifted. He reflected that the breadth of viable options within the whole market had narrowed significantly during his career.

This led him to question what ‘independent advice’ looked like in practice, and whether it delivered the value for clients it once had.

The importance of support

Andrew had run is own independent advice business for decades. But what he was looking for from SJP was support. He says: “You need a big brother on the playground.”

At SJP, he found that balance, retaining autonomy while gaining the backing of a larger organisation.

From central support teams to structured processes, Andrew now has access to resources that remove many of the pressures that come when you’re operating alone.

Tools such as the critical yield calculator and the support of business assurance provide an additional layer of confidence in client recommendations, something he didn’t have in the same way before..

"You’re not making those decisions entirely on your own anymore", he says.

A smooth transition for clients

A key concern in any move is how clients will respond.

But Andrew found clients were overwhelmingly positive. His clients’ main question was simple: would he still be their adviser? Once reassured, all but five clients stayed with him, which Andrew saw as a big success.

Today, Andrew continues to work closely with his clients, maintaining the strong personal relationships that have defined his career.

Flexibility and a clear exit strategy

What ultimately set SJP apart for Andrew was the clarity and structure it offered around exit planning.

Through the Business Sale and Purchase (BSP) model, Andrew now has a defined and flexible way to step back from his business over time, whether gradually or through a full exit.

This gives him multiple options, including:

bringing in someone to gradually take over client relationships
selling parts of the business to other Partners
phasing his exit while continuing to work in a way that suits him.

Importantly, this isn’t a one-off decision. Andrew can adapt his approach over time, depending on his circumstances.

Andrew has found the big difference compared to operating independently is the structure and support behind this process.

At SJP, advisers have access to specialist teams who support every stage of a sale, from valuation and buyer matching through to deal structuring and completion. This helps to remove uncertainty from what can often be a complex process.

It includes the ability to identify and transition clients to the right successor, ensuring continuity of advice and service. This is something Andrew saw as critical after building valuable client relationships over many years.

Working smarter, not harder

Since joining in 2024, Andrew has been able to reshape how he works.

He now limits his working week to just three days, supported by efficient systems, strong operational processes, and a structured client review approach that helps maintain and grow relationships.

He says: “You get business when you see people.”

The combination of robust systems, prompt remuneration, and responsive support has made a tangible difference to his day-to-day experience.

A partnership that delivers

Perhaps most importantly for Andrew, SJP has delivered on its promises.

From training and financial support during his switch to the Partnership, to ongoing access to expertise across the business, Andrew has found the move to be both smooth and worthwhile.

He says: “They’ve done everything they said they would and I’m happy I made the move.”