Founder and chief executive Karl Wilkinson (pictured) delivered the company’s plans at a recent company meeting, announcing the relaunch of its Access Academy.
The academy is a year-long programme designed to train advisers based on their experience, with the aim of becoming self-employed.
The firm will also work on growing its community of experienced advisers and creating business opportunities. Further, Access FS plans to expand into other areas of financial services, Wilkinson said.
The firm will also increase its use of technology, data and artificial intelligence (AI).
Wilkinson said: “Access has always been built around a simple idea: if we help our advisers build better businesses, Access grows with them.
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“Our five-year strategy is about putting more behind that idea and creating even more opportunities for advisers to grow.
“We want Access to be one of the best places in the industry for an adviser to build a business – whether they are already experienced, joining us with an established business or taking their first steps into the industry.”
The firm currently has around 280 advisers and wants this number to grow over the next five years, while creating opportunities for entrants through the Access Academy.
Advisers will also be supported with their growth through marketing and business development.
Wilkinson added: “We want to attract experienced advisers and firms that are looking for a business that can genuinely support their next stage of growth.
“At the same time, bringing new people into our industry remains extremely important to us. The Access Academy will provide a structured route for new advisers to enter the profession, develop and build long-term careers.”
More attention on technology
Access FS will improve productivity by investing in AI, data intelligence and technology to reduce administration and give advisers the information they need to support their businesses and clients.
Wilkinson added: “Technology should make an adviser better at what they do, not get in the way of the relationship they have with their clients.
“We see enormous potential in technology, data and AI, but the objective is very simple: better tools, better information, less administration and more time for advisers to focus on their customers.
“The next five years are about building on what we have already created at Access and taking the business to another level.
“We want experienced advisers to be able to grow with us, people entering the industry to be able to build genuine careers with us and our existing advisers to have access to more opportunities as Access grows.
“We will continue to invest, continue to challenge how things are done, and continue to build around the people at the heart of the business, our advisers.”
