Headed-up by Brett Davidson, FP Advance will provide specialist advice and training to advisers, networks, nationals, and wrap or product providers looking to develop their businesses and become ‘new model advisers’.
Prior to forming the company, Davidson was a leading Australian financial planner and CFP, transitioning his own business from transaction based commission business to fee-based advice. During the past two years he has consulted on a self-employed basis under the ‘FP Transitions’ brand, working closely with the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) to help its members as well as being in demand as a presenter and consultant across the UK.
Now based in the UK full-time, Davidson has recruited other consultants to work with him in the new business - FP Advance.
Davidson said: “Since I started providing consultancy in the UK I have been amazed at the response. The appetite from adviser firms wanting to know how to make the transition to a more cost-effective (new-model-adviser) business is enormous. Obviously with increasing cost pressures and lots of regulatory change, many firms have had a very rocky period with some believing that a move to fee based advice will be another layer of complexity. Our transition planning methodology has already enabled many firms to look at a new way of working, with increased profitability but at the same time better client servicing and reduced administrative burden.
“Given the huge demand from advisers wanting help it was obvious that I had to expand what I could do on my own and FP Advance is the result of that. We already have several consultants in the business and I am hopeful to make further expansion in the coming months as part of a strategic process, backed up by a pro-active PR and marketing campaign.”
With a new corporate identity, website and marketing campaign underway, the company will focus on targeting businesses that work with adviser firms, who are keen to increase efficiency, cut out costs and migrate to the ‘new model adviser’ business model. In the majority of cases, this involves the provision of strategic consultancy and training services to wrap and product providers.
Nick Cann, chief executive of the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP), commented: “We have been delighted with the work that Brett has done with us and the feedback from members who have attended his programmes has been first class. In the time that Brett has been in the UK, he has made a huge impact on the financial services market place at a time when more and more firms need support to transition to a fee-based financial planning business. The launch and growth of FP Advance will undoubtedly attract further interest from advisers and firms of all sizes and the IFP looks forward to developing its relationship with the new company.”
