Alongside the advice gap, there is a related issue that needs to be tackled at the same time: the adviser gap.

The adviser gap is the anticipated, large-scale shortage of new advisers required to meet future client demand for financial advice.

Future Financial Adviser (FFA) is a digital community for young career seekers which aims to address this.  

In common with many sectors, the advice profession simply hasn’t done enough to promote itself to young career seekers. And yet, when people in this group hear about the benefits of advice and planning as as career, many are all ears – and rightly so. 

At FFA, there are three primary goals we’re looking to achieve. 

Firstly, we want to help young career seekers make their choices based on the right information.

There are lots of misconceptions regarding a career in financial services and who it is suited to, but the reality is that within advice and planning there’s a career for pretty much everyone, no matter their background. 

Secondly, we want to highlight the benefits that a career in advice or planning, can provide, as well as helping those who are interested to progressing into the sector. 

Thirdly, we want to amplify these messages to a national audience and help promote greater diversity in the profession. 

The demographic make-up and distribution of wealth of the UK today is very different compared to, say, the 1980s, and this won’t be regressing anytime soon. We need qualified advisers from all walks of life to help serve the clients of the future.

So if you’re starting to consider what your future career might be, or if you know someone who would be a great addition to the profession, there are a few ways to get started.

1. Sign up to FFA – we would say this, but bringing young people into advice is precisely what we here to help with.
2. Take advantage of the different ways you can learn about financial advice and financial planning, what a financial adviser does and what you can earn.
3. A financial planning team is made up of more than just individual advisers that sit in front of clients. Take the time to understand the various roles on offer, and what attributes you need to flourish in them.
4. Discover the different pathways into the profession, whether that’s being supported by a firm, apprenticeships, advice academies and more. Different routes will suit different people, and there’s various qualification routes available too.

FFA has been built around community and connectivity. Our members can DM any of us, or our partners, for advice at any time.

Financial advice offers the opportunity to start learning, start earning and start a career.

Find out more

Piers Johnson is a managing director at emap and heads up Future Financial Adviser, part of Money Marketing

—

Join us at HomeGame 5, 30 September 2025, Glasgow Science Centre

We’re devoting HomeGame 5 to attracting new talent to the profession, and we’re welcoming advice pros, providers and those new to the profession.

Want to come along? Join the waitlist by clicking ‘get tickets’ and adding your email – we’ll let you know as soon as tickets become available.