Meet the Adviser Champions: Embark Group's Phil Smith

Our video series continues

clock • 1 min read

Robo-advice is a "fantastic event" for the industry as a whole and can prove to be a good opportunity for human financial advisers, believes Embark Group CEO Phil Smith.

If he were running a large-scale advice business, Smith asserts, he would be "embracing robo-advice, an execution-only technology, like it was the best thing that ever happened to me", adding it "amazes" him the adviser community is not producing much movement into the space. Smith is the latest Adviser Champion to appear in Professional Adviser's new series of videos, which has most recently featured Yellowtail's Dennis Hall, Nucleus's David Ferguson and PA's current Personality of the Year Vito Faircloth. Smith goes on to argue businesses are always better off embracing market chang...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on People

Former FSCS CEO joins Paradigm Norton after 'detailed governance review'

Former FSCS CEO joins Paradigm Norton after 'detailed governance review'

NED appointed after executive and board responsibilities split

Jen Frost
clock 17 March 2026 • 2 min read
Aberdeen Adviser CEO Noel Butwell to step down

Aberdeen Adviser CEO Noel Butwell to step down

Exits after more than 20 years

Isabel Baxter
clock 16 March 2026 • 3 min read
People Moves: Armstrong Watson expands financial planning team

People Moves: Armstrong Watson expands financial planning team

Four financial planning consultants added

Professional Adviser
clock 16 March 2026 • 1 min read