The Adviser Incubator: Resurrecting the primacy of the small IFA

Cathi Harrison: ‘I was sick of everyone talking and doing nothing’

clock • 6 min read

The Verve Foundation’s new Adviser Incubator initiative, launched in May, is much more than an education programme, Laura Miller finds. Scratch the surface and what emerges is an attempt at a quiet coup of the entire financial advice landscape in the UK. But in a good way…

Cathi Harrison, The Verve Group founder and chief executive tells PA "the dream outcome" of the 12-week programme to help newly qualified advisers grow and develop their businesses, is to take individuals thinking about setting up on their own, who feel daunted, and give them an extra layer of confidence to make that leap. But that is just part of her vision. "The idea is those individuals are the innovative, boundary pushing kind, who are going to say ‘right okay, this is a brand new firm, new clients, I'm going to try this new proposition'. Through that, advice generally should start t...

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 Your profession

The five-minute complaint and the five-day investigation

The five-minute complaint and the five-day investigation

GSI Group CEO on complaints, AI and the latest set of FOS reforms

Mark Buck
clock 12 August 2026 • 5 min read
Andrew Goodwin: The advice gap - an embarrassment of riches?

Andrew Goodwin: The advice gap - an embarrassment of riches?

Andrew Goodwin: The advice gap - an embarrassment of riches?

Andrew Goodwin
clock 12 August 2026 • 4 min read
New Talent Alliance launches financial advice careers guide

New Talent Alliance launches financial advice careers guide

Designed to attract new entrants into the profession

Sophia Panayi
clock 11 August 2026 • 2 min read