Father & Son in Finance: How St. James’s Place Academy Shapes Careers & Succession

Would you trust a financial planner under 30?

There’s a big debate in financial planning: Does age matter?

 Some say younger advisors lack life experience—that they can’t guide clients through retirement, divorce, or legacy planning. Others argue that young planners bring fresh perspectives, long-term commitment, and up-to-date knowledge.

After sitting down with Karl and Harry—a father-son duo from St. James’s Place—on the Financial Planner Lifepodcast, I’ve seen both sides of the coin.

Karl has spent nearly 40 years in financial planning, taking over his father’s business at just 20 after an unexpected loss.

Harry, his son, started his career as a musician before transitioning into financial advice via the SJP Academy. Now, at 27, he’s already leading client meetings and preparing to take over the firm.

Their approach to succession planning is a lesson for all financial planning firms:

✅ Clients aren’t waking up to a sudden change—they’ve seen Harry stepping in for years.
✅ Karl isn’t rushing out the door—he’s mentoring Harry while slowly shifting responsibilities.
✅ Harry isn’t just inheriting a business—he’s growing it, with a modern mindset and fresh ideas.

The best part? Their philosophy isn’t just about money. They focus on ROL (Return on Life), not just ROI (Return on Investment).

I asked Harry if he ever feels clients don’t take him seriously because of his age. His response?

“At first, maybe. But after a few conversations, if you know your stuff, clients trust you. Plus, they know I’ll be here for the next 30 years—can they say the same about an advisor nearing retirement?”

👉 What do you think? Would you trust a financial planner in their 20s, or do you believe experience only comes with age?

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