Inside Titan Wealth: James Kaberry & Andrew Fearon on Consolidation, Private Equity and the Future of Financial Advice

Consolidation is rapidly reshaping the financial planning profession.But what’s really driving it? And what does it actually mean for advisers, firm owners, and the future of advice businesses?In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes sits down with James Kaberry and Andrew Fearon, co-founders of Titan Wealth, to unpack the reality behind consolidation, private equity, and the structural changes happening across the industry.Drawing on their experience building one of the UK’s fastest-scaling advice businesses, James and Andrew share an inside perspective on what it really takes to grow through acquisition, integrate firms, and create a centralised model that goes beyond the traditional approach to financial advice.They also explore the deeper forces driving consolidation, including an ageing adviser population, increasing regulatory pressure, and the growing need for businesses that are scalable, transferable, and built for the future.A key part of the conversation focuses on Titan Wealth’s global expat advice model, supporting UK clients as they move across jurisdictions. This approach highlights how scale is no longer just about growth, but about building the capability to serve increasingly complex client needs.Alongside this, James and Andrew discuss their working relationship, the role of trust in leadership, and how private equity is enabling a new generation of advice firms to emerge.This episode offers a clear and honest look at where financial planning is heading and what advisers need to consider as the profession continues to evolve.🎧 In this episode, we discuss:• Why consolidation in financial planning is accelerating• The reality of succession planning and retiring firm owners• Why the “cottage industry” model is being challenged• How private equity is funding growth and acquisitions in advice firms• The misconceptions and realities of working with private equity• How Titan Wealth is building a global expat advice model• Why scale is about capability, not just size• The importance of trust in building and leading a business• The operational challenges of integrating acquired firms• What consolidation means for advisers, business owners, and career paths⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 Introduction: Consolidation in financial planning03:15 James Kaberry & Andrew Fearon’s background07:40 Why the advice profession is at a turning point12:10 The reality of succession and retiring firm owners18:25 Why consolidation is no longer optional24:30 The role of private equity in financial planning30:45 Misconceptions around private equity36:20 Building Titan Wealth’s acquisition and integration model42:10 The global expat advice proposition explained48:35 Why scale creates capability in advice firms54:20 Trust, leadership, and building the right team01:00:10 What the future of financial planning looks likeConsolidation isn’t just a trend. It’s a structural shift.And the firms that understand it will be better positioned for the future.Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for more insights into careers and trends within financial planning.Reach out to [email protected] regarding sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill AdvanceWhether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.✅ Trusted by top UK firms👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fplBe sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected] out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.