Last chance to enter the Young Financial Planner Awards 2026

Today marks the final deadline to submit entries for Money Marketing’s Young Financial Planner Awards 2026, giving firms and individuals one last chance to get their nominations in.

The awards recognise outstanding young professionals working across financial planning, including advisers, paraplanners, administrators, marketers, and specialist support roles.

Entries close later today and are open to anyone aged 35 or under working in UK-based financial planning services. Eligible and verified entries will be considered for a shortlist, which will be announced online in late July.

Shortlisted candidates will then be assessed by an independent judging panel drawn from across the financial services industry.

There are nine categories this year, including Young Financial Planner Team of the Year, Young Marketing Specialist of the Year, and Young Paraplanner of the Year.

Judging will take place in August and will focus on achievements over the previous 18 months, with particular emphasis on work carried out since June 2025. Winners will then be announced in October.

At a time when the advice profession continues to face demographic challenges, recognising and supporting emerging talent remains vital.

With many experienced advisers expected to retire over the coming years, and ongoing concerns about attracting new people into the sector, developing the next generation of professionals will be critical to the long-term health of financial planning.

The YFPAs are designed to highlight those in the early stages of their careers who are already making a meaningful contribution to their firms, clients, and the wider profession.

Whether they are delivering positive client outcomes, improving processes behind the scenes, or helping to drive innovation, the awards celebrate individuals and teams bringing fresh thinking and new perspectives to financial planning.

Individuals can nominate themselves or be nominated by colleagues and managers. Entrants may enter up to three categories, provided they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.

The entry process involves a short online submission form, giving candidates the opportunity to showcase their achievements, impact, and innovation.

Entrants will also be asked to share their vision for the future of financial planning and explain why they deserve to be recognised.

Firms across the profession are urged to use these final hours to put forward talented individuals and teams who are making a difference.

Judges will be looking for evidence of candidates who have gone above and beyond in their roles, demonstrated a commitment to positive change, and made a measurable impact within their workplace, for clients, or across the wider profession.

As well as recognising individual achievement, the awards include categories celebrating team success and specialist expertise.

The final entry deadline closes today, so check the categories and submit your entries now.

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For more practical information on how to get started in financial advice, please visit our Future Financial Adviser community. We tell you how to take the first steps, how to get ahead and what attributes you need to flourish. Even better, we can put you in touch with helpful contacts.