Private Client - M&A Advisor in Gloucester
St. James's Place Gloucester About the role
This job is with St. James's Place, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
The main purpose of this role is to represent St. James's Place Private Clients as a specialist in business sales and acquisitions, supporting financial advisers in working with high‑net‑worth individuals and business owners. These clients often have a significant proportion of their personal wealth tied up in their businesses and may be planning a full or partial exit, seeking to release capital, improve cashflow, or invest in future growth. This role provides strategic insight to help advisers better understand these needs and deliver effective solutions.
This is a senior consultancy position combining expertise in financial planning with a strong understanding of the UK owner-managed business market and corporate finance landscape. You will act as a trusted advisor to colleagues, offering guidance, identifying appropriate strategies, and connecting clients with specialist third-party providers such as corporate finance advisers, lenders, and legal professionals. You will also contribute to thought leadership and help raise the profile of St. James's Place in the business owner and SME space.
What you will be doing:
- Act as a subject matter expert on business sales, acquisitions, and succession planning for UK owner-managed businesses.
- Provide consultancy and guidance on corporate finance considerations, including valuation awareness, deal structuring, and tax implications.
- Work closely with financial advisers to understand client circumstances, goals, and long-term objectives.
- Support the identification of opportunities across business growth, capital raising, cashflow optimisation, succession planning, and exit strategies.
- Translate complex financial and business information into clear, actionable insights.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external professionals (e.g. corporate finance advisers, accountants, legal specialists) to support client outcomes.
- Facilitate introductions to third-party partners where appropriate.
- Contribute to thought leadership through articles, webinars, and internal knowledge sharing.
- Act as a spokesperson on business owner and SME topics where required.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge across tax, trusts, and financial planning disciplines (investment, retirement, protection).
- Represent and promote the Private Client proposition at internal and external events.
- Collaborate with colleagues to enhance capability and deliver strong client outcomes.
Essential Criteria:
- Strong knowledge of personal and corporate tax, trust planning, and financial planning across investment, retirement, and protection solutions.
- Fellowship status (or actively working towards it).
- Proven experience supporting high-net-worth clients with complex financial and business planning needs.
- Strong client-facing skills and the ability to build trust and credibility.
- Ability to analyse complex scenarios and develop tailored, practical solutions.
- Experience working in corporate finance, business advisory, or a related field.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
Desirable:
- Professional qualifications such as ACA, ACCA, CFA, or similar.
Your tasks
Advise high-net-worth clients on business sales, acquisitions, and financial planning.
Your profile
Strong knowledge of tax, financial planning, and experience with high-net-worth clients.
What's also included
Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities to make a real impact.
Tech stack & ways of working
Private Client - M&A Advisor in Gloucester employer: St. James's Place
St. James’s Place is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in Cirencester, this hybrid role as a Data Privacy Manager not only provides competitive benefits such as parental leave and health insurance but also fosters an environment where employees can thrive through collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders in the regulated financial services sector.
View St. James's Place profile
Your perspectives
Be a trusted advisor and shape the future of business owners in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like St. James's Place. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!
In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role
When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to St. James's Place.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience
If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect
Before hitting that 'apply' button on St. James's Place's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at St. James's Place
Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with St. James's Place.
Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at St. James's Place will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former St. James's Place employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
Locations
- Gloucester
