Thinking about a career change into financial planning?

How do you become a financial adviser if you’re changing careers?
In this episode of The Financial Planner Life Podcast with Titan Wealth, Azela explains the fastest practical route into the profession after moving from engineering into financial advice.

Should you start as a paraplanner before becoming a financial adviser?
Azela breaks down why paraplanning builds technical knowledge, client meeting experience, and confidence — making it one of the strongest entry points into a trainee financial planner role.

What do firms look for in career changers entering financial planning?
We discuss mindset, transferable skills, qualifications, and how to stand out when moving into the UK financial advice profession.

Check out Titan Wealth career opportunities here, or speak to me directly!

This episode is essential listening for anyone researching a financial planning career, exploring the move from paraplanner to financial adviser, or planning a career pivot into finance.

In this episode we cover:
• Changing careers from engineering into financial planning
• The quickest route to becoming a financial adviser
• Why paraplanning is a powerful entry point
• Building confidence in client meetings
• Skills needed for trainee financial planners
• Career opportunities inside Titan Wealth
• Real expectations of the financial advice profession
• Advice for career changers entering finance

If you’re asking “how do I become a financial adviser?” this episode gives practical answers from someone who’s done it.

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

In this special episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes welcomes David Tate, Managing Director and Founder of Redmill Advance, our official training and development sponsor for 2026.

David shares the inspiring growth journey of Redmill Advance and how they are transforming training and development in the financial planning profession through accessible qualifications, CPD, and behavioural support. From self-study learners to large-scale corporate academies, David explains how their tech-first, learner-centric approach is improving pass rates and raising industry standards.

We explore learning styles, neurodiversity, and how financial planning firms can deliver consistent, high-quality CPD. With a first-time pass rate above 85% in their academies and less than 5% client churn since inception, Redmill Advance is quietly becoming one of the most impactful education providers in financial services.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring financial planners, T&C professionals, and business leaders seeking to develop internal talent and futureproof their advice businesses.

Key Subjects Covered in This Episode:

🎓 Qualifications & Learning Pathways in Financial Planning

• CII, CISI, LIBF qualification routes
• Diploma vs Chartered training
• Self-study vs Academy formats

🧠 Learning Styles & Neurodiversity

• Supporting different learning preferences (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)
• Onboarding resources focused on study psychology
• Accommodating neurodiverse learners

📈 CPD, Competency & Regulatory Needs

• Bite-sized, digital-first CPD
• Centralised CPD solutions to reduce fragmentation
• Data-driven MI to identify training gaps and compliance needs

🧑‍💼 B2B Training & Academy Solutions

• Running academies for leading firms (SJP, Quilter, Mazars, etc.)
• White-labeled platforms (Redmill Advance Hub)
• Supporting HR, T&C, and compliance goals

💡 Business Growth & Market Impact

• Redmill’s journey from startup to major player
• Over 500 learning modules and growing
• Strong client retention and pass rates as proof points

🚀 Future of Redmill Advance

• Strategic investment in marketing and storytelling
• Hiring expert trainers to scale delivery
• Commitment to raising standards and closing the advice gap

To celebrate the Financial Planner Life x Redmill Advance partnership, you can enjoy 10% off ALL Redmill Advance learning solutions until 31st March 2026. Just use the code FPL2026 at checkout to receive your discount.

Click here: https://www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

This week on the Financial Planner Life podcast, I’m joined by Sean Standerwick, co-owner of MLP Wealth Management, a financial planning firm based on the high street in Surrey with a powerful story: a 42-year legacy that's now being run with the mindset and energy of a startup.

Sean and his brother have taken the reins from their father, infusing the business with a culture built on innovation, career development, and deep local community ties. From installing a defibrillator on their office wall to hosting pitch meetings where team members create service ideas, MLP isn't your average advice firm, and Sean isn’t your average leader.

We talk about:

• How being on the high street has driven client engagement and local brand dominance
• Building a startup culture in an established firm (and why that matters for talent attraction)
• The journey of James, a trainee-turned-adviser, and what great career development looks like
• How Sean’s practice of Buddhism influences company culture, emotional intelligence, and leadership
• What makes MLP’s recruitment and onboarding process different (and more human)
• Why hyper-local marketing still works in a digital-first world
• And how one small idea, pitched internally, led to new service lines like wills and LPAs
  
  

If you're an aspiring financial planner looking for a forward-thinking firm, or an established adviser wanting to run your own business without losing your soul, this one’s for you.

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.