A career should give you more than just a role. It should provide support, confidence and opportunities to keep growing.
Advanta Academy is the Advanta Group’s people and talent development platform, designed to attract, develop and retain exceptional advisers and colleagues at every stage of their career.
It brings together structured learning, mentoring, professional development and long-term progression within a genuinely supportive, values-led culture. It reflects why people choose to join Advanta Group, and why they choose to stay.
In a profession where people can sometimes feel unsupported, pressured or measured only by short-term performance, Advanta Academy offers something different: a career environment built on care, clarity, stewardship and trust.
This is not just about training. It is about helping people build confidence in their careers, develop their professional standing and establish a long-term future within Advanta Group.
The Advanta Academy brings our wider brand promise into the experience of our people.
Just as we help clients make confident decisions about their future, we help colleagues build confidence in their own careers, with the structure, guidance and support to keep moving forward.
Development within Advanta Group is not left to chance.
We invest in people through mentoring, professional qualifications, technical learning and practical support. That means giving colleagues the time, space and encouragement to grow sustainably, not reactively.
For many people, that support starts early. Carys Hopkins joined Advanta at 20, looking for industry experience. By 27, she had achieved Chartered Financial Planner status, supported by colleagues who helped her through exams, technical rules and the realities of developing in the profession.
Advanta Group thinks in decades, for clients, and for its people.
Many colleagues have built long careers here, moving through different roles as the business has grown. Gillian Piggot joined in 2009 as a paraplanner, became a financial adviser, achieved Chartered status, moved into private client leadership, completed the STEP diploma, became a Director of Advanta Wealth and later a Trustee of the Advanta Foundation. Her story reflects the Academy’s role in supporting long-term professional development.
Career development should feel clear, not confusing.
Advanta Academy helps colleagues understand where they are, where they want to go, and what support may help them get there. That might mean progressing as an adviser, developing into a specialist role, moving into leadership, or building a career in areas such as operations, compliance, technology, investment, marketing or client support.
The aim is to create transparent development pathways, clear expectations and a more consistent experience across the Group.
As Advanta Group grows, the Academy helps protect what matters: a shared culture, consistent standards and a clear way of developing people across the Group.
That means supporting technical excellence, professional pride and the behaviours that define Advanta Group, calm under pressure, generous with knowledge, committed to clients, and supportive of each other.
Advanta Academy is designed to help people take ownership of their careers, with structure and support around them.
It offers development across technical knowledge, professional qualifications, adviser progression, leadership capability and wider business skills. But the real value is not only in the programmes themselves. It is in how development feels day to day.
It feels like having people around you who want you to do well.
It feels like being trusted to grow, while knowing support is there when you need it.
It feels like a culture where questions are welcomed, knowledge is shared and people are encouraged to take the next step.
Through Advanta Academy, colleagues may access:
For Sam Welti, that support began early. He joined as an intern in 2017, became a Business Manager, progressed into paraplanning, joined the Investment Committee, completed advanced qualifications, helped establish Advanta Invest, and later returned to Advanta Wealth to pursue his long-term goal of becoming a financial adviser.
That is what the Advanta Academy is designed to create: structure, opportunity and the freedom to build a career over time.
Every career develops differently.
Some people join Advanta Group at the start of their professional life. Others arrive with deep experience and want a place where they can continue to grow. Some become advisers. Others build specialist careers in compliance, investment, operations, client service, technology, marketing or leadership.
Advanta Academy is designed to support different pathways across the Group.
For people starting out, the Academy provides a structured route into the profession, with technical learning, qualification support, mentoring and exposure to different parts of the business.
It helps early-career colleagues build confidence, understand the industry and develop the professional habits that support long-term success.
For experienced advisers or professionals joining Advanta, the Academy helps provide clarity, cultural understanding and support through transition.
It helps people understand the Advanta way of working, connect with colleagues and continue developing within a larger Group.
Advanta Academy is not only for advisers.
The Advanta Group depends on strong professional capability across compliance, operations, investment, client support, technology, marketing, finance and governance. These careers are essential to the experience clients receive and to the way the business grows.
For those developing in advice or paraplanning, the Academy supports technical capability, professional qualifications, client understanding and long-term career progression.
This may include moving from support roles into advice, building specialist knowledge, or progressing towards Chartered status.
Not every career path looks the same.
Advanta Academy supports progression into specialist and leadership roles across the business, helping people build influence, manage teams, deepen expertise and contribute to the Group’s continued growth.
Melissa Charles’ career is a strong example. Since joining in 2017, she has moved from Senior Paraplanner into a hybrid paraplanner/adviser role, supported directors, mentored colleagues, contributed to internal processes and marketing materials, led the Advanta Academy and became Head of Private Clients North.
The strongest proof of Advanta Academy is found in the people who have built their careers here.
Their stories show what development looks like in practice: support through exams, trust to take on responsibility, encouragement to move into new roles, and a culture where people are helped to grow without losing who they are.
Carys Hopkins, Chartered Financial Planner
My time at Advanta has truly flown by. When I first joined the company, I was a fresh-faced 20 year old seeking industry experience; now, at 27, I’ve achieved Chartered Financial Planner status (perhaps not quite so fresh-faced anymore!)
It has been a whirlwind journey. I began in the Glasgow office, supporting one of the main advisers, and more recently had the opportunity to move to London, working alongside Craig and his team.
I would not have achieved Chartered status without the continued support and encouragement of my colleagues. Throughout my time here, whether I was preparing for exams or navigating complex legislative rules, the Advanta team has always been there to help. That consistent support has fostered a genuinely collaborative and positive culture, one where no question is too small and everyone is willing to help one another.
There is no “I” in team, and that is something truly reflected here at Advanta
Melissa Charles, Chartered Financial Planner
Why you joined Advanta
I joined Advanta in February 2017 when I was relocating back home to Glasgow from Yorkshire. I actually had five back-to-back interviews in one day, and Advanta stood out immediately. There was a real warmth to the office and the people – it just felt very different to everywhere else I’d been that day. It was clear there was a strong culture and that people genuinely enjoyed working there.
At the time, I moved from an adviser role into a Senior Paraplanner position because I wanted to take a step back and build on my technical knowledge before moving back into advising longer term.
What keeps you at Advanta
For me, it’s the combination of trust, flexibility and people. I’ve always felt trusted to get on with things and do the right thing for clients without unnecessary layers of process or oversight.
There’s also a really strong sense of support across the business — people are approachable and willing to help, which creates an environment where you can develop naturally and take on new things. Over time, I’ve been able to shape my role based on my strengths and interests, which is a big reason I’ve stayed.
How your career has evolved
In reality, my role evolved much more quickly than I expected. Within the first six months, I was already supporting the Glasgow director team alongside my day-to-day role, and I naturally moved into more of a paraplanner/adviser hybrid position. I retained my licence and became a “safe pair of hands” for the team, supporting client relationships and more complex work.
Over the last nine years, I’ve worn a number of different hats across the business. I’ve been involved in mentoring staff, helping to develop internal processes, contributing to marketing materials such as brochures and presentations, and leading the Advanta Academy.
I became Head of Private Clients (North) in 2019, which allowed me to focus more on complex client work and support other advisers in more technical areas, alongside continuing to build and look after my own client relationships. I also led the client-facing aspect of the acquisition of M&I Independent Financial Services in 2022, working closely with clients through that transition.
What “care” looks like in practice within Advanta
Care at Advanta is less about what’s said and more about how people behave day to day.
With clients, it’s about being a steady, reliable presence and taking the time to properly understand their situation, particularly when things are complex or uncertain. Often, it’s about giving people clarity and reassurance just as much as advice.
Internally, it’s the same. There’s a genuine willingness to support each other, share knowledge and help people develop. That’s something I’ve always valued and a big part of why I enjoy mentoring others coming through the business.
Gillian Piggot, Chartered Financial Planner and Trustee of the Advanta Foundation
My career with Advanta (previously One Solution) started in 2009. I had an Investment, Finance and Risk honours degree and 2 years industry experience. I joined the company as a paraplanner and then got re-licenced as a financial adviser. During that time, I completed the remaining professional exams through the academy to become a Chartered Financial Adviser.
I moved to the London office in 2013 to work alongside our founding partner Craig. With him we built his private client team both in terms of clients and staff. As the team grew, I attained the title Head of Private Clients, overseeing the operations of the London team, whilst still retaining my adviser licence.
The academy then supported me through Society of Trust and Estate Practioners diploma which was 4 years of legal based exams.
This is a prestigious qualification to have attained, with few financial advisers holding it as it is predominantly used in the legal space.
I was delighted to have been appointed as a Director of Advanta Wealth in 2021 and a Trustee of our Charitable Foundation in 2024.
I have also in recent years assisted the company with their Mergers and Acquisitions programme which has been a whole new learning curve.
“My personal and professional development has been supported every step of the way in Advanta”
“The academy has helped me to reach new heights of professional standing”
“I feel like I am never done learning at Advanta, it has always been a dynamic company and whilst there have been many changes over the years, the core culture has never changed which is to support its people to become the best versions of themselves.”
Sam Welti, Chartered Financial Planner
I first joined Advanta as an intern over Easter 2017 for two weeks, before being invited back for a further month in August 2017. Following this, I was offered a full-time role in September 2017 as a Business Manager.
From the outset, I began working towards my Diploma in Financial Planning, which was fully supported and funded through the Advanta Academy. This was invaluable early in my career, and the additional salary increases linked to each exam pass provided strong motivation and recognition for progress.
I then progressed into a Paraplanner role, where I broadened my technical experience, as part of the now CEO’s client servicing team, and also joined the Advanta Wealth Investment Committee where I gained invaluable investment experience. During this time, I continued to develop my qualifications, completing exams in Discretionary Management, Securities Advice and Dealing, and Wraps and Platform Services, alongside achieving my Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and Chartered status.
I was then given the opportunity to help establish Advanta Invest, the discretionary management arm of the business. Over a little more than four years, I played a key role in growing the business from £0 to £1.7bn in assets under management. During this period, I progressed from Investment Analyst to Investment Specialist, gaining extensive experience in investment research and portfolio construction.
Alongside this, I was heavily involved in the acquisitions and integrations side of the business during a significant period of growth for the group, which provided valuable exposure to how the wider business operates and scales.
More recently, I returned to Advanta Wealth to pursue my longer-term goal of becoming a Financial Adviser. Throughout my career, Advanta has consistently supported the direction I’ve wanted to take, providing opportunities to develop at each stage. This has included supporting a move to Edinburgh for a year, where I worked out of the Glasgow office, further broadening my experience within the business.
– “The Academy was instrumental early on, providing both structure and real incentives to achieve professional qualifications.”
– “There is genuine trust and flexibility here, I’ve been able to explore different roles and ultimately shape my own career path.”
– “It’s a collaborative and supportive environment where people are encouraged to develop and take on new challenges.”
Chloe Welsh
Why I joined Advanta
I joined Advanta in 2021 as a Business Manager, despite having no previous experience in financial services. What attracted me to the role was the opportunity to learn, develop new skills, and be part of a fast-paced, supportive environment where no two days were the same.
What keeps me at Advanta
What has kept me at Advanta is the culture, the people, and the opportunities for growth. Throughout my time here, I’ve been encouraged to develop professionally and explore different career paths. The support I’ve received from my colleagues and leaders of the business has made a real difference to my journey. I’ve had the opportunity to work with highly experienced professionals around the business, and this has been invaluable to my career progression.
How my career has evolved
When I joined the business, I always knew I wanted to build a career in HR, but I wasn’t sure how to make that transition. Since the beginning of my journey, I have always been encouraged not to limit myself and to be open and honest about where I see my future with Advanta. With the support of my colleagues and the Advanta Academy, I was able to complete my Level 3 CIPD qualification and gain valuable experience along the way. In 2024, I successfully moved into the role of HR Coordinator, turning a long-term career goal into a reality.
What care looks like in practice
For me, care at Advanta means investing in people and helping them achieve their ambitions. The support I received to pursue my CIPD qualification and transition into HR is a great example of this. Advanta didn’t just recognise my career aspirations, they actively helped me achieve them. Advanta’s commitment to employee development is what makes working here so rewarding.
Finn Tarpey, Review Manager
I joined the Advanta Group in August 2024, shortly after graduating from university, and began my career here as a Business Manager. My first year gave me a strong grounding in the business, helping me understand company processes, client service expectations, and how different teams work together to deliver for clients.
What drew me to the Advanta Group was the sense that it was a place where I could build a long-term career, not just start a job. From the interview stage onwards, I could see that development was taken seriously and that there was a genuine commitment to helping people grow. That early impression has stayed with me, and it is a big part of what keeps me here today.
Since joining, my career has already evolved in meaningful ways. After spending my first 12 months learning the foundations, I moved into my current position as Review Manager for the London Core Team in October last year. That step has given me greater exposure to ongoing client servicing and more responsibility within the team. Throughout that journey, the Advanta Group has supported my progression through the Academy, with access to study materials, practical learning, and colleagues who are willing to share their knowledge and experience. For me, “care” at Advanta Group looks like people taking the time to invest in your development, making support readily available, and creating an environment where you are encouraged to succeed. I would like to think that this is reflected in the outcomes we achieve for our clients too.
At Advanta Group, culture is not something separate from work. It shapes how our people are supported, how our clients are served and how our business grows.
The Advanta Academy helps bring that culture to life.
It supports a way of working that is calm under pressure, generous with knowledge and serious about professional development. It gives people space to ask questions, learn from experience and build confidence in their own judgement.
That matters because care is not only a client promise. It is an internal behaviour.
It can be seen in colleagues helping each other through exams. In managers creating space for development. In teams supporting people through change. In experienced professionals sharing what they know. In the pride people take in doing things properly.
The Advanta Academy also connects naturally to wider Advanta Group initiatives, including our incredible Advanta Foundation and the Connected Collective — both of which help strengthen belonging, purpose and community spirit across the Group.
Together, these initiatives reflect the same belief: people do their best work when they feel supported, trusted and part of something that matters.
If you want to take ownership of your career, with the support and guidance of people who want you to succeed, Advanta Academy can help you move forward.
Whether you are starting out, developing as a Financial Planner, joining with experience or looking to grow into a specialist or leadership role, Advanta offers a career environment built around long-term progress.
Explore current opportunities, register your interest or speak to our team about where your career could go next.
Find the answers to some of the most common questions about Advanta Academy here.
Advanta Group offers a wide range of career pathways designed to support different interests, strengths and aspirations.
These include advisory, specialist, leadership and broader professional routes across the business. Career paths are not one-size-fits-all. We work with you to shape a development pathway that reflects your ambitions, your strengths and the needs of the organisation.
Your development journey starts with a conversation.
This may be with your line manager, the Advanta Academy team or through one of our formal development programmes. Together, we will explore your goals, strengths and areas for growth, then help you build a clear and realistic pathway with the right learning, experience and support in place.
Advanta Academy is designed to help you take ownership of your career while giving you structure, guidance and expert support.
It offers access to learning opportunities, career pathways, coaching, mentoring and development resources tailored to you. It supports both professional growth and personal confidence, helping you build the skills, knowledge and experience needed to progress in a way that is right for you.
No. While adviser and paraplanner development is an important part of the Academy, it is designed to support people across the wider Group.
That includes colleagues working in compliance, operations, investment, client support, marketing, technology, governance and leadership.
Yes. Professional development and qualification support are central to the Advanta Academy. Several colleagues have progressed through qualifications with Advanta Group, including Chartered Financial Planner status and specialist professional study.
Advanta Group combines structure with genuine support.
People are encouraged to grow but not left to work everything out alone. The culture is collaborative, practical and long term, with colleagues often moving through different roles as their skills, interests and ambitions develop.
Yes. Many colleagues have shaped careers across different areas of the Advanta Group, including advice, paraplanning, investment, compliance, acquisitions, operations and leadership.
You can view current opportunities or register your interest through the careers section of the website. You can also speak to the team about where your experience and ambitions may fit within the Advanta Group.
Simply email us at talent@theadvantagroup.co.uk.
Take ownership of your career, with the support of people who want you to succeed.
Simply email us at talent@theadvantagroup.co.uk.