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There has been an “astonishing” take-up of services provided by SimplyBiz’s New Model Business Academy, with more than 2500 unique site visits and 1400 downloads of free information since it launched 1 May.

The academy is designed to guide financial advisers through professional qualifications, support the sharing of ideas and information about the swiftly-changing business model and offer advice on IFA retirement and succession-planning.

To date, the professional qualifications section has been the most popular. It offers relevant information on exams, training and revision material following the input of presently held qualifications and qualifications being worked towards to plot their personal career map.

Ken Davy, chairman of SimplyBiz, said: “We knew the demand for the New Model Business Academy’s services would be substantial. However, the initial response has been quite astonishing, with more than 2500 unique site visits of whom about 30 per cent have registered right away.”

Mr Davy said that within the professional qualifications section, the key draw appears to be the ability to download past exam papers for free, which he said “demonstrates the enormous value the academy has been able to deliver in such a short time”. More than 700 users from 527 separate IFA firms have already registered for the academy, SimplyBiz said.

He said: “Given the advanced technology involved, we are also delighted at the robust way the systems have coped with this huge demand, all of which augurs well for the continued success of the academy.”

Steve Braidford, managing director of the New Model Business Academy, said: “The recent series of TCF workshops which we have held around the country have indicated that the training and development of advisers and staff is something our members are focusing on very heavily and we are 100 per cent dedicated to simplifying this process.

“Training and development, professional or personal, should be approached as long-term investments for the future, rather than just a quick fix."

He concluded: “The popularity of free downloads of past papers and training material

for examinations in particular has proven there is real demand for the academy and we are delighted to have helped advisers down the road to increased professionalism.”