The future’s bright – the future’s Equilibrium!

Back in 1994, Orange burst onto the scene with a tagline that became iconic: “The future’s bright, the future’s Orange.” Fast forward three decades, and while Orange faded into history, Equilibrium, founded by Colin Lawson at around the same time, has only grown stronger, thriving through every challenge and change.  

However today, the financial planning industry faces a storm: the “silver tsunami”. This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a real concern within the industry. As Baby Boomer advisers retire in waves, the sector risks a shortage of qualified professionals. With the average adviser age at 58, and half of the UK’s 30,000 advisers expected to leave within a decade, clients could soon find themselves searching for guidance in a shrinking pool. (1) 

The numbers are stark with only 25% of UK financial planners under 40. Even more worrying, in 2024, just 174 advisers were under 25 – down from 426 in 2022. The recruitment drive which the industry desperately needs just isn’t gaining momentum. (1) 

Bucking the trend 

At Equilibrium, we saw this coming, and we acted. Continuity of service is our priority. All our advisers are younger than the industry average, with 54% under 40. Furthermore, our adviser team’s average length of service at Equilibrium (excluding Colin) is over a decade, bringing not just market expertise but a deep understanding of the high standards our clients expect.  

Celebrating NextGen talent 

To further highlight this, we’re not just keeping up, we’re leading. Two of our long-standing team members, Tim Latham and Ben Harrison, have earned a spot on the Citywire/New Model Adviser Top 35 NextGen Advisers list.

This is the gold standard for advisers under 35, recognising not only their professional achievements but their commitment to our mantra of “making people’s lives better”. 

Tim joined Equilibrium straight from university in 2015 as a Trainee Client Manager before becoming a Financial Planner.

Beyond his daily work, he presents our Care Conundrum Masterclass, guiding clients through the complexities of care, costs, and funding – using real-life stories to inspire action.  

Ben began as a Client Manager in 2017, before being the promoted to Financial Planner and pioneering our Essentials service for those just starting out on their financial journey or with straightforward needs.

Thanks to Ben’s drive, Essentials has grown, bringing two more advisers, also former Client Managers, into the fold. 

Building for the future

As more of our talented team members are nurtured and prepared to step into new roles that truly harness their unique strengths, we’re not just planning for the future, we’re safeguarding the exceptional service our clients know and expect. This commitment ensures that, no matter how our team evolves, the high standards clients have come to rely on remain at the heart of everything we do. 

Lucy Woolrich, Head of Organisational Development, sums it up: “Having been a Client Manager myself in the distant past, it is fantastic the variety of roles available for our people to develop and not just adviser roles. This contributes greatly to maintaining the DNA of Equilibrium across all departments.”  

Ready for tomorrow 

By adopting such a forward-thinking approach, Equilibrium’s commitment to nurturing talent and upholding high standards means our clients will always receive outstanding service even as the industry evolves. By investing in our people now, we’re ready for whatever the future brings. 

(1) FT Adviser, March 2024