Two former St James’s Place (SJP) senior leaders have launched a new succession service that aims to help advice firms looking to sell or exit.
The NexStage is an independent advisory collective helping UK advice firms scale sustainably, protect client outcomes, strengthen governance and create real succession pathways.
It is led by SJP’s former chief client officer (CCO) Claire Blackwell and former director John Owen, who together have more than 60 years of sector experience.
The pair argue that being a financial adviser should be an opportunity to build a purposeful, profitable business with intrinsic value and a lasting legacy.
However, they added that firms face profitability pressure, rising regulatory expectations and rapid change across Consumer Duty, AI and ongoing consolidation.
Therefore, Blackwell and Owen believe succession is unresolved, with many owners lacking clear pathways, feeling trapped and risking value leakage and client disruption.
By supporting advice firms, The NexStage aims to provides consumers with choice and value and support advisers to thrive in their businesses.
The NexStage provides independent counsel with no platform, corporate, or consolidator ties.
It said this means it is unconflicted and unrestricted, focusing purely on building long-term value for advisers, their clients and the industry as a whole.
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Blackwell and Owen believe advisers will benefit from their dual perspective, with combined experience of leading FTSE 100 and large-firms, coupled with practical know-how of how advice firms actually run and grow.
The NexStage is curating a specialist bench: The NexStage Collective, which assembles proven independent experts for on-demand and cost-effective work for clients.
Blackwell said: “Financial advice changes lives – and the UK needs more people to get more advice. I am passionate about increasing the accessibility of advice for consumers.
“For that to happen, firms must be profitable, well-governed and succession-ready.
“Too many are under strain as regulation, technology and consolidation accelerate.
“We built The NexStage to stand alongside leaders, bring clarity and help firms thrive – so that advisers and consumers continue to get the outcomes they deserve.”
Owen added: “Advisers excel at providing for clients; yet running the business has never been tougher.
“We add calm, senior challenge at the moments that matter – driving growth, embracing regulation, protecting reputation and creating genuine succession options.
“Our job is to reduce friction, lift profitability and enterprise value, and protect client promises.”
The NexStage is targeting established advice businesses looking to scale, and firms preparing options for succession or exit.
It also supports practices facing regulatory or reputational pressure, where senior expertise is urgently needed.
It works with private equity firms, consolidators and networks that need embedded expertise to strengthen leadership performance in portfolio companies..
