The Financial Adviser School has been chosen as a trusted partner of the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF).
Achieving recognition means the Financial Adviser School is formally acknowledged as a leading provider of financial adviser training in the UK by the London Institute of Banking and Finance.
To become a trusted partner, the school was tasked with demonstrating its training programme met with LIBF’s requirements for delivering high-quality learning.
The Financial Adviser School now has just under 50 trainee advisers, with the first graduates from its programme expected in April this year.
Darren Smith, head of the Financial Adviser School, said: “We are really pleased to receive this recognition, which I think is testimony to the hard work the Financial Adviser School trainers, staff and students have put into the project since we re-launched in 2016.
“The school has made a lot of exciting progress, forming strong relationships with a number of large distributors, as well as smaller adviser businesses across the country that are looking to recruit.
"We believe the Financial Adviser School can make a real difference in the sector, helping to bring new blood into the industry and giving people from all backgrounds a route into a rewarding profession.”
Part of Old Mutual Wealth, the Financial Adviser School supports aspiring financial advisers in attaining both the academic skills to achieve the level four diploma for financial advisers (DipFA), as well as developing the “business, customer service and other personal skills required for a career in the industry”.
Martin Day, managing director for corporate and professional qualifications at the London Institute of Banking and Finance, added: “The recognition is well-deserved and we look forward to contributing to its excellent work in attracting new entrants to the industry and supporting students with their studies.”
Last summer Richard Freeman, chief distribution officer of Old Mutual Wealth, said the provider's Financial Adviser School could grow to focus on all aspects of the industry, including administration.
He said he would look at how the school could expand in a year’s time.
Old Mutual Wealth bought the Financial Adviser School from Sesame Bankhall Group in February 2016 and operates it on a not-for-profit basis.
mark.banham@ft.com
