In the Next Generation Advisers interview series, senior reporter Isabel Baxter introduces the next generation of advisers and highlights how they are planning to make their mark. Today’s featured adviser is Benjamin House’s Jude Dawute...
Dawute is the managing director of Benjamin House, an appointed representative of Rosemount Financial Solutions (IFA).
He said that he got into the financial advice profession almost by chance.
"One day at work, a recruiter called me about a paraplanning role in Geneva, Switzerland, for a wealth management company," Dawute told PA. "At the time, I had no real knowledge of the industry or what wealth managers actually did, but I was excited about the opportunity, so I took it."
For Dawute, the decision to take up that paraplanning role "changed everything".
"Over time, I immersed myself in the profession, gained experience, and five years later, I became a fully UK-qualified financial adviser," he said.
Shaped by personal experiences
Beyond the technical skills, Dawute said his personal experiences shaped why he does what he does.
"Growing up as a young man in Brixton, I saw people struggle with debt, getting on the property ladder, and securing their financial futures," he shared with PA. "When my late father had a stroke at 59 (God rest his soul), I saw firsthand the financial impact on my family."
Dawute said his father's death made him realise the importance of critical illness insurance.
"Thankfully, I was already in the industry and had access to advisers who helped with pensions and Lasting Power of Attorney forms, but in hindsight, I realised how critical illness insurance could have made a huge difference," he said.
"That experience solidified my passion for holistic financial planning - not just transactional advice, but long-term relationships that ensure people are protected, confident, and in control of their future."
‘Advice must evolve with the next generation'
Dawute believes that more young advisers are needed in the industry because financial advice must evolve with the next generation.
"Many communities, especially under-represented ones, don't always have advisers who understand their challenges and aspirations," he told PA. "Bringing fresh perspectives and making financial planning more relatable and accessible is key."
Dawute said he admires those in the industry who have built successful firms based on "integrity, innovation, and a genuine commitment to client care".
"My goal is to do the same - build a firm that offers high-quality, holistic financial advice while leveraging technology to improve efficiency and accessibility," he said. "I want to scale nationally and provide financial education that reaches everyone - teaching the lessons we weren't taught in school. Whether it's young people still in education or adults trying to navigate life's financial challenges, I want to equip people with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions and build a secure future."
