Escala addresses advice talent shortage with new career pathway

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist

3 July 2026

Focus Financial Partners-backed private wealth advisory firm, Escala, has sought to tackle head-on concerns over the dwindling number of new talent entering the advice profession with the launch of a dedicated career pathway.

The framework, the Escala Advisory Growth Track, has been designed to “attract, develop and retain” the next generation of financial advisers by offering a career pathway from entry-level roles through to Investment Adviser, with the added benefit of educational resources and a mentorship program.

Alongside the talent initiative, the introduction of a new client origination initiative (COI) model is also intended to “reward early career professionals for contributing to business growth” by offering a share of the associated revenue to those who participate in its origination.

Torty Howard, Chief Operating Officer at Escala, said the pathway’s launch comes as the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) notes a 48 per cent drop in adviser numbers since 2019 and the latest Wealth Data analysis of the Financial Adviser Register (FAR) confirms the profession ended the 2025/26 financial year just under the 15,000 mark.

“The advice industry continues to face challenges due to the widening gap in not only retail but also wholesale advice needs,” Howard said.

“The Escala Advisory Growth Track is intended to nurture our existing talent and bring in new talent. As a business, we focus on wholesale advice in the ultra high net worth and family office space and have a strong history of organic staff growth.

“Building on this success, it’s now important to introduce a clearer, more structured career pathway and framework, and help fill the advice gap in that space.”

She also said the initiative is intended to increase women representation in the wholesale investment advice market.

“Research shows that women represent as little as 22% of the industry. With increasingly defined pathways we aim to drive better representation within Escala and the industry overall, as well as offering a diversity of advisors for clients.”

Belinda Jackson, Head of People & Culture at Escala and Focus Partners Australia, said the pathway acknowledges that career progression isn’t always linear and will arm participants with the resources and skills needed to keep up with sector changes including emerging technologies.

“Successful careers in advice do not look the same for everyone and we wanted to create a framework that reflects that reality. People can move laterally, build technical expertise, or pursue client facing roles depending on their strengths and ambitions,” she said.

“As a business, we’re investing in the future of financial advice and wealth management. The program we’ve introduced enables employees to take greater ownership of their careers while being supported by the business.

“We know the industry is facing a decline in advisor numbers, so it’s critical we create clear, attainable pathways for people to build long-term careers, particularly in wholesale advice.

“So much learning happens through experience, so providing meaningful exposure to clients and real work early on is critical. Our role as an employer is to create the environment, support and opportunities that allow people to build confidence and capability over time.

“Additionally, our partnership with Focus US has created an opportunity to leverage leading edge learning and development to support this pathway. Over the past six months we have had two cohorts of Advisors and Associates engaged in a Focus Growth program that is providing meaningful skill development from the best in the industry.”