St James’s Place is changing how it pays its advisers. From March 2027, ongoing advice remuneration that was previously paid annually will be distributed monthly. Partners will receive a transitional payment to bridge the change, while remuneration relating to mortgages and individual protection is also being revised. SJP says the changes will give partners smoother … Continue reading Is SJP Redesigning the Value of Advice—or the Economics of Intermediation?
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Agency Story No. 1: The Widow Who Didn’t Need Another Financial Adviser
Success should not always mean client retention Our inner circle discussed yesterday the example of a recently widowed client who initially lacked the confidence to manage her finances. After 18 months of patient explanation and practical support, she became capable of managing them independently. The planner became progressively less necessary. That is not a failed … Continue reading Agency Story No. 1: The Widow Who Didn’t Need Another Financial Adviser
Why Agency Is Preferable to Advice
The purpose of a Total Wealth Planner is not to become indispensable. It is to make the individual progressively more capable of navigating life without unnecessary dependence on any expert—including themselves. Advice creates dependency. Agency builds capability. A good adviser solves today's problem.A Total Wealth Planner helps someone solve tomorrow's problem themselves. Advice transfers decisions. … Continue reading Why Agency Is Preferable to Advice
The Government Wants Finance to Drive Growth. But Finance Does Not Create Wealth on Its Own
Restoring human agency in a structurally untrustworthy system The Government says it wants growth. Few would disagree with the objective. Britain needs greater productivity, stronger businesses, higher incomes and sustainable public finances. The more important question is: What actually causes an economy to grow? The Government’s Financial Services and Markets Bill appears to begin with … Continue reading The Government Wants Finance to Drive Growth. But Finance Does Not Create Wealth on Its Own
Introducing GiftFlow™: Restoring Human Agency, One Gift at a Time
Today we're delighted to announce the launch of GiftFlow™, the latest addition to the Academy OS ecosystem. GiftFlow is available now at: https://gift-flow.app/ GiftFlow exists for one simple reason. Most families don't struggle because inheritance tax law is complicated. They struggle because the evidence disappears. Seven years of gifts.Bank transfers spread across multiple accounts.Regular support … Continue reading Introducing GiftFlow™: Restoring Human Agency, One Gift at a Time
When a Business Model Starts to Crack: What the SJP Departures Tell Us About the Future of Financial Planning
Over the past year, a series of high-profile departures from St. James's Place has attracted increasing attention. Over the past year, the departures from St. James's Place have become increasingly difficult to dismiss as ordinary adviser turnover. While normal churn happens in every large network, the recent exits have involved some of the firm's largest … Continue reading When a Business Model Starts to Crack: What the SJP Departures Tell Us About the Future of Financial Planning
AI Makes Lawyers of Us All
AI Makes Lawyers of Us All "AI makes lawyers of us all." One of our Get SAFE clients said this to me recently. They weren't suggesting that AI replaces solicitors. They weren't claiming everyone is suddenly qualified to practise law. They were describing something they had just experienced. For the first time, they were able … Continue reading AI Makes Lawyers of Us All
The Profession Is Investing in More Professionals. But Who Is Investing in More Capable Citizens?
We've Invested in Professionals. Now Let's Invest in People. The Personal Finance Society has announced that it will continue investing its reserves to attract new entrants into the financial planning profession. It is a significant commitment, building on a £1 million programme to remove barriers, fund qualifications and promote financial planning as a career. That … Continue reading The Profession Is Investing in More Professionals. But Who Is Investing in More Capable Citizens?
Are Banks Promoting the Right People?
When I was made redundant from RBS Group, I was told I was "not alpha male enough." At the time, I dismissed it as just another piece of corporate jargon. Looking back, it raises a much deeper question. What exactly do organisations mean when they reward people for being more "alpha"? Are they selecting for … Continue reading Are Banks Promoting the Right People?
The Next Great Transition Is From Institutional Authority to Human Agency
For decades, society has been built on the assumption that institutions hold decision authority on our behalf. But confidence in those institutions is falling, while AI is making knowledge and reasoning available to everyone. The challenge of our age is not deciding whether to trust AI or institutions. It is restoring human agency so that … Continue reading The Next Great Transition Is From Institutional Authority to Human Agency
