Ascot Lloyd said it is on a mission to introduce fresh blood to the industry, while also bolstering its employees' skills and addressing the growing demand for independent financial advice.

Ascot Lloyd has launched its “Advisor Academy” to provide a career path in financial advice and help develop a new generation of IFAs.

The academy is aimed at individuals from various backgrounds such as those who are returning to the job market, looking for a career change, or who have recently left school and want to enter the financial planning space.

The firm will train advisors for up to two-and-a-half years to ensure they secure the qualifications and skills required to become fully qualified financial advisors. After that point, it vows to continue supporting them on their journey to obtaining chartered status as an IFA.

“We are looking for individuals who have the potential to develop into the financial advisors that today’s challenging financial landscape calls for,” said Richard Dunbabin, chief executive at Ascot Lloyd, the national IFA.

“Industry regulation has driven significant consolidation accompanied by improved professional standards, and we will look for the high-calibre candidates that have the ability to thrive in the new world of financial advice,” Dunbabin said.

The deadline for applications for the first assessment is 21 February.

In a similar move last January, UBS rolled out a training programme for advisors who work with ultra-high net worth clients.