Earlier today, we were treated to an insightful Inspiring Women in Financial Services (IWIFS) online event, featuring Claire Limon, Carrie Morris, Jennifer Mathias and Carol Boston.
Here were some of the points raised by these inspiring female leaders in financial services.
A profession that does not yet reflect its clients
Over the coming years, a significant proportion of wealth will be transferred to women, often following major life events such as bereavement, divorce or career change. Yet the financial advice profession still does not fully reflect the people it serves.
That presents both a challenge and a real opportunity.
Financial advice, at its heart, is about listening, empathy and understanding people. Advisers help clients reframe their financial situations, navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions at pivotal moments in their lives. These human skills are critical, and they are often areas where women excel.
A career where women can flourish
Financial advice offers a wide range of career paths. Women can thrive in administrative, paraplanning, operational and advisory roles, and move between them as their confidence, experience and ambitions grow. With demand for advice continuing to rise, the profession needs more people, more perspectives and more lived experience.
It is also a career that offers flexibility and autonomy. Advisers can work part- or full-time, choose the type of clients they work with, focus on specific segments, and build a role or business that fits around their lives. For those who want to be their own boss, financial advice offers that opportunity, alongside long-term security and purpose.
Confidence, culture and what holds women back
One of the strongest themes from the IWIFS session was confidence. Too often, women place barriers in their own way, questioning whether they are qualified enough or whether the industry is for them. This is often driven by outdated perceptions of financial services and a lack of visibility into what the role really involves.
Culture plays a huge role here. Finding allies, people you trust to sound ideas off, challenge thinking and provide direction and support, can make a meaningful difference. Inclusive cultures are built when people feel heard, supported and safe to contribute.
Women often bring a leadership style that ensures everyone has a voice. When different perspectives are encouraged and ideas are properly debated, decisions tend to be stronger and more resilient. Those decisions endure scrutiny because they have been tested, discussed and refined. That leads to better outcomes for clients, teams and businesses.
Delivery, credibility and building confidence
What also matters is delivery. Being clear on your role, following through on decisions and delivering consistently builds credibility over time. That credibility then reinforces confidence, both internally and externally.
Confidence is not about having all the answers. It comes from understanding your value, trusting your judgement and delivering on what you are responsible for. When people see that consistency, trust grows, reputations strengthen and cultures improve.
Changing how we talk about the profession
If we want more women to enter financial advice, we need to present the industry differently. Money is not just about the quantum. It is emotional, behavioural and relational. It is shaped by family, responsibility and life transitions. Women often intuitively understand this context, particularly as wealth transfer frequently follows moments of significant personal change.
Financial advice needs these insights.
When the profession is framed around its human impact rather than just its technical complexity, it becomes clear that this is a career where women do not just belong, but can lead, influence and excel.
Many routes in, with support all the way through
There is no single route into financial advice. Many people transition from backgrounds in finance, risk, sales or relationship-based roles. Others start in administrative positions and progress over time.
At The Openwork Partnership, support is available at every stage. Through The Business School, you can access training and development from entry level roles through to Chartered status, across both Openwork and 2plan. The pathways are there, and so is the support.
If you know someone who might be considering a new direction, encourage them to explore financial advice. It is a rewarding, secure and evolving profession, and one where women have an increasingly vital role to play.