Most financial planning firms talk about culture. Frazer James built it from scratch, starting in a Bristol pub with no clients, no referrals, and a very clear picture of everything they did not want to replicate.

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes speaks with our Managing Director, James Mackay, about what Frazer James actually looks like from the inside: their five-stage career framework, genuinely remote working model, and the specific roles they are hiring for right now.

What is Frazer James IFA and how did it start?

Frazer James is a Bristol-based independent financial planning firm, founded by James Mackay and Chris Hindle after years of working inside practices they felt were not built around the people doing the work. The firm now grows at 40% year on year and has become one of the most structured employers in UK financial planning.

How did Frazer James start?

Frazer James was founded in a Bristol pub by Chris and James, frustrated with how most firms operated. They had no clients and no referrals, just a clear vision of what they wanted to build differently.

What makes Frazer James different as an employer?

Rather than pushing everyone up the same career ladder, Frazer James built a five-stage framework that maps out exactly where someone sits and what progression looks like from day one. Every team member, regardless of seniority, benefits from the same core package.

  • Entry-level
  • Technical
  • Associate
  • Qualified
  • Senior

What is the Frazer James career framework?

Frazer James uses a five-stage career framework that sets out clear progression from entry-level work through to a senior professional within each role. Each stage has defined expectations, so employees always know where they stand and what comes next.

“Whether they get it done at 9pm or 9am, I don’t really care.”
– James Mackay, Managing Director at Frazer James on outcomes over hours

What does remote working look like at Frazer James?

Frazer James operates a genuinely remote model, not hybrid with hidden expectations. The firm is built around outcomes, not hours logged. Our Directors care more about quality of work, not when or where it gets done. This extends across all roles, including administrators, paraplanners, and financial planners.

Is Frazer James a remote financial planning firm?

Yes. Frazer James is a fully remote financial planning firm. All roles, including administrator, paraplanner and associate planner, are structured around outcomes rather than office hours, giving employees maximum autonomy over how and when they work.

What benefits does Frazer James offer?

Frazer James offers a benefits package available to all staff without exception. These are the benefits employees can expect to receive:

  • Salary: Highly competitive salary per role with a clear growth and progression plan.
  • Growth Allowance: 5% for personal and professional development
  • Bonus: Up to 5% paid once yearly
  • Wellbeing allowance: 4% of salary (cash equivalent)
  • Pension: Employer contribution matched up to 7%
  • Holiday: ~35 days (24 days + bank holidays + birthday + long service, with option to purchase additional)
  • Reduced week: Finish at 3pm Fridays (35.5 hours)
  • Remote working: Flexible hours + work abroad up to 90 days
  • Sabbatical: One fully paid month every 3 years
  • Health plan: Annual screening + medical cash plan
  • Professional Development: Paid exams and additional training, if desired.
  • Charity Days: Up to 2 charity days with the team annually
  • Quarterly team meetups: South West England

What jobs is Frazer James hiring for right now?

As of this episode, Frazer James are actively recruiting across four key roles. If you are looking for a career-defining move in financial planning, these are the live opportunities discussed in the episode.

  • Associate Financial Planner
  • Paraplanner focused on servicing new clients
  • Paraplanner focused on servicing current clients
  • IFA Administrator

What can the wider profession learn from Frazer James?

James and Sam cover the talent shortage affecting UK financial planning and why forcing people into a single upward career trajectory creates the wrong fit for both employee and firm. Frazer James represents a model where people can grow into the role that suits them, not just the role that pays more.

 

Interested in working at Frazer James?

View our active job listings and find out if you are the right fit for one of the most forward-thinking financial planning firms in the UK.

View Frazer James active jobs

Tune in to the episode here:

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Financial Advisor Bristol and Pension Advisor Clifton

Frazer James Financial Advisers is an Independent Financial Advisor in Bristol, Clifton. We provide independent financial advice, including pension advice, investment advice, inheritance tax planning and insurance advice. If you want to speak to a Financial Advisor, we offer an Initial Consultation without cost or commitment. Meetings are held either at our offices, by video or by telephone. Our telephone number is 0117 990 2602. Frazer James Financial Advisers is located at Square Works, 17 – 18 Berkeley Square, Bristol, BS8 1HB. This article provides information about investing but not personal advice. If you’re not sure which investments are suitable for you, please request advice. Remember that investments can go up and down in value; you may get back less than you put in.