London-listed St James’s Place Wealth Management is expanding its academy programme to Manchester in order to attract candidates from the North of England and Scotland.

London-headquartered, St James’s Place Wealth Management is expanding its training programme, a so-called wealth management academy, to Manchester in order to attract candidates from the North of England and Scotland.

Since its launch in 2007 the firm has taken in 60 candidates a year, undertaking a two-year apprenticeship with a view to joining the family business. The academy offers professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, the opportunity to become partners within St James’s Place to run and build their own wealth management business.

The new Manchester location will begin its first intake in June 2014, with the interviews for candidates starting this month.

“The launch in Manchester is testament to the continuing success of the St James’s Place Academy in London, which is now on its seventh intake,” said Adrian Batchelor, academy director.

Successful applicants to the academy undertake an intensive education, coaching and assessment programme equipping them with the ability to provide a professional, expert and face to face wealth management service to their clients. After two years, successful trainees graduate from the academy into the St James’s Place Partnership.

“I have found that the Academy has given me a great start with building my own business with the added support of the corporate structure at St James’s Place,” explained previous academy graduate and current partner at St. James’s, Sophie De Rouet.

The programme has proven to be particularly attractive to women who want a career in wealth management, which fits in better with their family lives. In an exclusive interview with WealthBriefing in 2012, Sophie Du Rouet revealed how the academy made a difference for her career. Read more on that here.

The academy is a part of St James’s Place Wealth Management, a London-listed wealth management organisation with over £41 billion funds under management.