Part 3: Business growth and development

Running a financial advice firm is not just about compliance and regulatory obligations, it’s also about growth, sustainability and long-term success. However, expanding a DA firm comes with significant challenges, particularly when it comes to recruitment, training, lead generation and operational efficiency.

DA firms must source, vet and onboard new advisers independently, a process that can be both time-consuming and costly and the challenges don’t end there.

• Finding qualified advisers: With increasing FCA regulations and professional requirements, finding suitably qualified and experienced advisers is harder than ever. Many DA firms struggle to attract experienced talent without a well-established brand and support structure. Although everyone has to start somewhere, can you afford to take on a newly qualified adviser with little experience when you are solely responsible if anything goes wrong?
• Onboarding and training: New advisers require ongoing training, CPD and compliance education to meet regulatory standards. For a small/medium DA firm, providing structured professional development can be a major challenge, as the responsibility falls entirely on the firm to source and manage training. This can be costly, especially when working with third-party providers.
• Managing compliance standards: Every adviser must adhere to FCA regulations and ensuring ongoing compliance requires dedicated oversight. Without a strong compliance team, DA firms face significant risks when managing multiple advisers.

Without access to centralised recruitment and training resources, many DA firms find themselves stuck at a growth plateau and unable to expand because of the operational strain that comes with managing advisers.

The growth factor: Marketing, lead generation & operational efficiency

Growth in financial services isn’t just about hiring more advisers, it also requires a steady stream of quality leads, strong brand presence and operational efficiency.

Finding new clients is an ongoing battle, especially with increased competition and rising customer expectations. Without effective marketing and lead generation strategies, many DA firms struggle to maintain a consistent pipeline of new business.

Growth requires strong infrastructure, efficient processes and robust technology. DA firms must invest in CRM systems, client management tools and administrative support, all of which come at a significant cost. Scaling a business under these conditions can be time consuming and expensive. This is why many firms find themselves unable to grow beyond a certain point without external support.

The network advantage

At the ASHL Group we are committed to each individual firm that we partner with. We want them to be able to grow as much or as little as they want. By offering recruitment support, marketing expertise, adviser training and operational efficiencies, you will have all of the tools that you need to operate more efficiently and ultimately grow to the level that you want.

CPD offering

In an industry that is constantly evolving, staying ahead isn’t just about meeting regulatory requirements, it’s about maintaining the highest standards of advice and client service. CPD is not only a regulatory obligation but it is also a key driver of professional growth, keeping advisers informed, competent and confident in their roles. Across the group we offer over 200 hours of CPD each year in the form of webinars, face to face events and through access to a repository of resources available whenever you need it.

Business development

When you partner with us, we have the same goals as you, to increase revenue and make your business the best that it can be. This is why we offer dedicated business development support which focuses on recruitment, an adviser academy, succession planning and sales skills.

Launched in 2022, our fully funded ASHL adviser academy has gone from 15 enrolled candidates to over 115 candidates. 2024 also saw the academy roll out of CAS acceleration and mentoring programmes, a bespoke development programme, an online content repository and a dedicated job board, all in support of graduates on their journey to becoming a competent adviser. By the end of 2024, the academy had seen its first 15 candidates pass their courses and in 2025 there will be 60 scholarship places awarded.

In 2024, we launched a technology webinar series, with each session focusing on a different key area each month. Over the year, we explored a diverse range of topics, including estate planning tools, wealth planning solutions, cashflow modelling, the use of AI, cybersecurity and many more. The programme has been highly attended and well received and we are pleased to continue its momentum into 2025.

Marketing support

Marketing is a critical component of business growth, yet many DA firms struggle to invest time in effective lead generation strategies while balancing other core business requirements. As a Sense or Lyncombe member you will have access to a suite of marketing support services including:

• Client facing brochures, guides and newsletters
• Bespoke support on advertising
• Website development
• SEO

Beyond these core services, members also benefit from lead generation support, helping to attract and convert high-quality prospects. Through targeted digital campaigns, social media strategies or referral optimisation, we provide the tools to help to grow your client base effectively.

Additionally, our marketing audits ensure that your branding, messaging and outreach efforts align with best practices and FCA guidelines. This proactive approach helps firms to enhance visibility, improve engagement and maximise returns, all without the need for costly external marketing expertise.

Rather than navigating the complex world of digital marketing, content creation and client outreach alone, network members gain marketing support that drives sustainable growth.

Succession planning

When the time comes that you want to take a step back, through our national model LYNC wealth management, we can provide routes to exit that deliver a consistent and protected client journey, along with providing robust foundations for the successful recruitment of talent, either externally or from within your advice practice. From working closely with all of our firms and understanding their future plans, we create the correct partnerships together within the ASHL Group. Through our national model, we provide a route of acquisition that allows a consistent and protected client journey.

Summary

For many DA firms, the biggest barrier to business growth isn’t ambition, it’s infrastructure, resources and support. For firms that are serious about long-term growth and success, from setting up to selling up, becoming a member of Sense or Lyncombe is not just a smart choice, it’s the most efficient and sustainable way to achieve growth in the modern financial advice landscape.

In the final part of this series we explore how networks provide a safe home for you and your business, from starting up to stepping away.

If you’re ready to check out the range of benefits on offer as a Sense or Lyncombe member, take a look at our network services and benefits brochures below.

Lyncombe Consultants services and benefits brochure

Sense Network services and benefits brochure