We are living through great transformation in the financial planning profession. Technology, once a back-office tool, has now moved to the forefront, reshaping how financial planners communicate, analyse, and serve their clients. From AI advice engines to the rise of decentralised finance (DeFi), change is happening at a rapid pace. With this innovation comes both opportunity and a clear message: evolve or risk being left behind.
At the Financial Planning Institute, we have witnessed remarkable evolution in our profession. Yet amid all the disruption, one truth remains constant: the enduring value of human connection. Clients seek more than just technical solutions – they want guidance from someone who listens, understands, and brings wisdom to their journey. Here, the “Evolutionaries” lead the way: not just advancing through tools or trends, but by championing the human side of innovation.
From handwritten notes to hybrid models
In its early days, financial planning was a personal craft. Planners relied on handwritten notes, phone conversations, and the trust built over years to help clients navigate life’s key decisions. Their expertise extended beyond numbers to emotional intelligence and empathy.
As the industry matured, regulations tightened and technology assumed a bigger role. This brought greater efficiency and scale, but it raised an essential question: Can we innovate without losing the soul of the profession?
Forces driving change
Today, several powerful forces are accelerating the profession’s evolution:
Fintech disruption: Robo-advisors and AI-driven platforms deliver basic services at scale, but lack the human nuance needed for complex decisions.
Rising client expectations: Clients demand digital convenience alongside authentic, trusting relationships – expecting transparency, speed, and personalisation.
Compliance and complexity: New regulations require stronger systems, faster documentation, and a deeper focus on ethics.
Generational wealth transfer: Millennials and Gen Z are set to inherit a lot (Generational Wealth Transfer), prioritising collaboration, digital access, and shared values over old hierarchies.
Data and AI: Predictive analytics and real-time dashboards enable highly personalised advice but also require planners to become more tech-savvy.
These forces are not merely pressures—they are invitations to evolve. The professionals who embrace this role are the Evolutionaries.
Who are the Evolutionaries?
Evolutionaries are not just early adopters. They are forward-thinking professionals who blend innovation with empathy. They are curious, adaptable, and hold ethical standards at the core of their practice.
Key traits include:
Curiosity: Always seeking better solutions, asking “what’s next?”
Empathy: Placing client needs and emotions at the centre.
Adaptability: Updating skills and tools to keep pace with change.
Integrity: Upholding ethical practices, no matter the setting.
Collaboration: Viewing technology as a partner, not a threat.
An Evolutionary may leverage AI for scenario planning but dedicates most time to understanding a client’s goals, values, and dreams. Technology augments their advice, but it’s the human element that gives meaning.
Human + Machine: The Augmented Adviser
The future isn’t “human or machine”—it’s a partnership. The Augmented Adviser uses digital tools to automate routine tasks, freeing up time for deeper client relationships.
Imagine an adviser who instantly models retirement pathways using digital platforms, then spends the session helping clients discuss their life goals. This blend of precision and personal presence defines the next era of planning.
Conversely, ignoring technology or evolving client expectations risks obsolescence. Evolution is not optional – it’s essential.
Reimagining the client experience
Clients now compare planners to digital giants like Amazon. They expect intuitive platforms, personalised communication, and immediate service. Evolutionaries are redesigning the client journey, using digital onboarding, 24/7 dashboards, proactive alerts, and flexible consultations. Yet, they also prioritise meaningful conversations, relationship-building, and tailored guidance.
The client experience is becoming hybrid: high-tech, high touch.
A call to lifelong learning
The shelf life of financial knowledge is shrinking. Today’s professionals must be in a constant cycle of learning, unlearning, and relearning. Beyond technical CPD, planners must develop soft skills, emotional intelligence, digital literacy, and ethical judgment. Professional bodies like the Financial Planning Institute (FPI) must lead the way – equipping professionals not just to adapt to change, but to drive it.
To support this evolution, FPI offers Training Tuesdays – weekly sessions designed to help members transition into the new world of work. These sessions focus on building future-ready skills that combine human insight with technological fluency.
Mentorship will also play a key role. The wisdom of seasoned professionals, combined with the digital fluency of younger generations, can build a stronger, more resilient profession.
The future is a choice
Two futures lie before us:
One, where planners evolve – leveraging technology, building deep trust, and serving clients in more meaningful ways.
The other, where resistance leads to shrinking client bases and commoditised, stagnant services.
The choice is clear, and the opportunity immense. We are not at the end of financial planning’s journey – we stand at the threshold of its most impactful chapter.
Let us evolve – together. Let us be the Evolutionaries who shape a future that is not only digitally advanced, but profoundly human.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you’d like to discuss the future of the profession, feel free to give me a call or email me at CEO@fpi.co.za.