From the Trading Floor To Financial Planner with £70 Million AUM

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Kanishk Swarup shares his incredible journey from high-stakes equity derivatives trading at JP Morgan and Credit Suisse to launching his own financial planning practice through the St. James’s Place Academy.

We explore what it’s really like to work on a trading floor, the burnout behind big bonuses, and the unexpected truth: even successful finance professionals often have no financial plan.

Kanishk opens up about growing up in a small town in India, landing a scholarship at LSE, navigating culture shock in the UK, and building a life from scratch — all leading to a career defined by purpose over pressure.

He now runs Compound Wealth Planning, a thriving partner practice with £70 million in assets under management.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The harsh truths behind trading at global investment banks
• Why burnout pushed Kanishk to rethink his career trajectory
• How helping colleagues with their bonuses sparked a career shift
• What made the St. James’s Place Academy the perfect next step
• The mindset it takes to build a successful planning business from zero
• Why lifestyle creep is the hidden enemy of financial freedom
• How Kanishk defines success today — and why it’s not about the money

✨ Who This Episode is For:

• Career changers curious about financial planning
• Professionals in high-stress finance roles questioning their path
• Aspiring planners interested in the St. James’s Place Academy
• Financial services leaders looking to attract new talent
• Anyone who believes in the power of long-term thinking and purpose-driven work

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• Learn more about St. James’s Place Academy
  
  
• Follow Kanishk Swarup on LinkedIn
  
  
• Check out Compound Wealth Planning 
• Connect with Sam Oakes on LinkedIn

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.