Access Financial Services has unveiled a five-year strategy to expand its adviser network, develop new talent and invest in technology and data.
Founder and chief executive Karl Wilkinson outlined five areas intended to support the next stage of the business at a recent company event.
The plans cover growing its community of experienced advisers, generating more centrally managed business opportunities, relaunching the Access Academy, expanding into wider financial services and increasing the use of technology, data and artificial intelligence.
Access FS said it would invest further in the people, infrastructure and technology available to advisers as part of its established focus on helping them to develop their businesses.
Wilkinson said: “Access has always been built around a simple idea: if we help our advisers build better businesses, Access grows with them.
“Our five-year strategy is about putting more behind that idea and creating even more opportunities for advisers to grow.
“We want Access to be one of the best places in the industry for an adviser to build a business – whether they are already experienced, joining us with an established business or taking their first steps into the industry.”
Access FS works with about 280 advisers and plans to expand its adviser community significantly over the next five years. It will also continue to recruit new entrants through the Access Academy.
The company intends to increase the number of opportunities generated centrally while giving advisers more support with marketing and business development.
Wilkinson said: “We want to attract experienced advisers and firms that are looking for a business that can genuinely support their next stage of growth.
“At the same time, bringing new people into our industry remains extremely important to us. The Access Academy will provide a structured route for new advisers to enter the profession, develop and build long-term careers.”
Access FS also plans to broaden the range of financial services available through the business, allowing advisers to support clients as their financial requirements change.
Technology and data will support each part of the strategy. Planned investment will include artificial intelligence, data intelligence and systems intended to improve productivity, reduce administration and give advisers more information about their businesses and clients.
Wilkinson added: “Technology should make an adviser better at what they do, not get in the way of the relationship they have with their clients.
“We see enormous potential in technology, data and AI, but the objective is very simple: better tools, better information, less administration and more time for advisers to focus on their customers.
“The next five years are about building on what we have already created at Access and taking the business to another level.
“We want experienced advisers to be able to grow with us, people entering the industry to be able to build genuine careers with us and our existing advisers to have access to more opportunities as Access grows.
“We will continue to invest, continue to challenge how things are done, and continue to build around the people at the heart of the business, our advisers.”
