Jack Anderson

Wealth management could enjoy a jobs boom in Scotland, with national firms likely to set up regional hubs here as part of a post-pandemic recovery strategy.

The sector faces the challenges of destabilising lockdown job cuts and the likely departure of many senior figures left jaded by the pandemic, meaning the landscape is ripe for fundamental changes.

We’re predicting that a joining of factors is likely to persuade major players to set up distinct Scottish hubs, sparking a “domino effect” style sector revival.

With UK regional travel restrictions currently in place, and the possibility of a Scottish Independence referendum pending, there is a strategic argument for a number of national firms to establish regional offices north of the border.

These regional hubs would offer the ability to service local Scottish clients at source, and from a health and wellbeing perspective also offers the opportunity for those employees who are perhaps based in London, or in cities elsewhere, to relocate to more rural and less densely populated areas.

New market entrants have somewhat of a positive domino effect, creating movement and opening opportunities across the board.

Our recent annual Salary Guide report points out the scale of the crisis caused families and individuals across the country to rethink personal health, wealth planning and succession planning.

However, it also has a profound effect on many working within wealth management and the report predicts that staff at all levels of seniority are taking stock, reviewing their life choices. It’s also anticipated that during 2021 and into 2022, we will see a number of experienced individuals leave the industry or take early retirement as they reprioritise.

That will add to existing uncertainty after many firms cut back on staff numbers, particularly in the first half of 2020. Demand for candidates across the wealth management sector stalled in the wake of the first Government lockdown in March 2020. Roles in supporting capacities were particularly hard hit as assets under management and new business slowed.

These decisions to reduce headcount did have a destabilising effect on the sector overall and has led to an increased pool of immediately available candidates.

However, as 2021 approached there was a definite shift and we saw demand for experienced investment managers and financial planners who could bring a book of clients with them.

Enticing and attracting these individuals to move companies is a complex and challenging task that requires detailed negotiations on both sides, even more so when conducting ‘face to face’ business is all but impossible.

As the sector emerges from the pandemic, the report states that companies will have to embrace rapid changes in technology. The wealth management industry today is more regulated, and in a better operational position than at any other point during its history. But, to meet the continued challenges of this crisis firms will need to embrace the latest technology or run the risk of disenfranchising even the strongest client relationships.

People are a private wealth firms’ biggest strength. If anything, Covid has emphasised that while technology can amplify and supplement work, it does not replace what is needed from people. For private wealth managers this crisis has highlighted a greater appreciation for the fact that people and technology are more powerful when working together than either can be on its own.

Other opportunities are also likely to materialise, according to our report. A number of financial products have been in high demand – particularly financial protection, which has done exceptionally well throughout 2020. This has been partly driven by government stimulus packages and duty relief on home buying.

This projection is included in our sixth Annual Salary Guide into Scotland’s financial service sector from Core-Asset Consulting. It’s a forensic review of salary levels and also a gauge of market sentiment, activity and the themes that are impacting financial services across Scotland.