Financial planning shifts from 'sales-based to experience-based' industry

Speaking at The Lang Cat Live Divide and Conquer 2025 conference yesterday (6 February), Sparrow Paraplanning founder Caroline Stuart reflected on the sector's progress, particularly in terms of gender diversity, but said there is still a long way to go. "The advice industry didn't used to interest me because I'm not a salesperson. It's changed so much—it's a phenomenally different environment to when I joined," she told delegates. "I used to be the only female at events. Today, we have a much broader demographic, but we have a long way to go. Around 17% of regulated advisers are women. ...