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Thinking About Becoming a Financial Planner? Watch This First

Posted on
May 6, 2025
Posted by
James Walker

After 15 months of mentoring aspiring financial planners, Dave Robinson is finally stepping back - but not before sharing everything he’s learned.

He’s recorded one final, in-depth conversation to support anyone considering a career in the profession.
It’s packed with honest, practical advice:

  • Understanding the different approaches within financial planning
  • Choosing your philosophy before picking your route
  • How to make a standout direct approach to a firm
  • Assessing a firm’s stability using Companies House and ownership structures
  • Why back-office experience builds better planners
  • The benefits of specialising in a niche - and how to find yours
  • How to approach qualifications - and why RO2 is a better starting point than RO1

Dave has helped dozens of new entrants over the past year. While he's now focused on voluntary initiatives, this video is his way of continuing to give back.

Watch the full session here:


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The BWD Census: a trusted benchmark for earnings, bonuses, and benefits across the UK financial planning market.

For over a decade, the BWD Census has provided a trusted, independent view of adviser remuneration. Our independent survey gathered data from 300 Financial Advisers and Financial Planners across the UK, all completed via an online, confidential questionnaire.

This year’s edition focuses exclusively on the financial planning market, exploring how earnings vary by experience, firm type, and location, how packages and bonus structures are evolving, and the wider factors influencing pay across the profession.


BWD Financial Planner Earnings & Benefits Census 2025/26
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