Editor's view: Challenging the 'male-dominated' advice narrative

The editor's Friday Night Takeaway from 8 November

Jen Frost
clock • 3 min read

Our top story this week celebrates the winners at the Women in Financial Advice Awards, affectionately known as WIFA.

Benchmark's Gillian Hepburn wrote a great piece for PA on how to impress the WIFA judges. It's full of practical tips and well worth a look for next year. One point that Hepburn raises is quite sticky – and that's on some of the language and clichés many of us use around the gender balance in financial services. In particular, Hepburn takes issue with the use of the phrase ‘male-dominated industry' to describe advice. "There is certainly a gender imbalance at certain levels and for some roles," Hepburn argues. "However, dominance propagates negativity, suggesting power and influence." ...

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

Advisers: Are you even taking your own advice?

Advisers: Are you even taking your own advice?

Exploring the expenditure consolidation conversation

Nick Ryan
clock 25 March 2026 • 4 min read
CISI welcomes 76 Certified financial planners

CISI welcomes 76 Certified financial planners

Number of UK CFP professionals continues to rise

Sophia Panayi
clock 24 March 2026 • 1 min read
'Nobody is big enough not to be bought'

'Nobody is big enough not to be bought'

Roderic Rennison on the future of deals in the advice industry

Isabel Baxter
clock 20 March 2026 • 1 min read