From the British Army to Financial Adviser: How Scott Reynolds Found a New Mission with M&G Wealth Advice Academy

For many veterans, transitioning from military life to a civilian career can feel overwhelming, with numerous paths that may seem unfamiliar or unattainable. But for Scott Reynolds, what seemed like an unlikely choice turned into a rewarding and fulfilling career. After serving in the British Army and later working as a consultant, Scott discovered the world of financial advice—a field he had always been passionate about but had never considered as a career option.

Thanks to the M&G Wealth Advice Academy, Scott was able to make the transition into financial advice, gaining the qualifications and support he needed to not only succeed but also build his own business.

In an interview with Troopr, Scott shares how his military background set him up for success in the financial sector, why he believes financial advice is a great career for veterans, and how the Academy’s training and mentorship played a key role in his journey.

What were you doing before joining M&G Wealth Advice Academy? 

Prior to joining the academy, I spent five years as a consultant, leading projects for defence consultancies and defence-based organisations. My career started in the British Army where I served for just over two years, before being medically discharged due to an injury.

Why did you want to change careers? 

During my time in the military, it was clear that one of my primary goals was to help people. When I moved into consulting it was apparent that this ethos wasn’t always present in my work. I wanted a career that not only aligned with my personal interests – particularly finance – but also allowed me to make a real difference in people’s lives. I wanted to be able to help individuals and families be in the best and most secure position possible. 

At Sandhurst there is a saying “Serve to lead”. I have found that this ethos carries into my current role as a financial adviser and I take great pride in serving my clients and guiding them toward a stronger financial future.

I also wanted to create my own business. Joining M&G Wealth Academy has allowed me to do this and be in control of my career and future through being an appointed representative of M&G Wealth Advice.

Why did you decide to choose M&G Wealth Academy? 

M&G Wealth is part of the M&G plc family which includes Prudential, who have an outstanding reputation for delivering results. That track record was a huge draw for me. But what stood out even more was the support M&G Wealth Academy offers to its students. The training covers virtually every scenario you could face, plus the opportunity to run your own business—so it was an easy choice for me to join.

How would you describe your experience of the Academy? 

The Academy provides an in-depth plan to cover all aspects of becoming a financial advisor and can take you from having no qualifications or experience to being fully qualified and experienced enough to meet real-world challenges. Even after you graduate, you will still have two years of support to help you develop and discuss any challenges you face.

Since I already held the necessary qualifications when I joined, I entered the program at a later stage. Despite this, there were no issues and the entire team was welcoming and went above and beyond to ensure I was fully prepared to advise clients and offer sound professional advice.

How does the Academy support your ongoing professional development? 

The Academy provides extensive professional development including: 

• Webinars and written resources. 
• Group-based discussions to enhance understanding.  
• One-to-one mentoring with Supervisors
• Guidance on further qualifications

I found the one-to-one mentoring support to be invaluable. Having access to experienced financial advisers who have been in the industry for many years meant I could learn from them and ensure my clients get the best possible advice. 

Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years? 

I’m currently focused on building my business. In the next 3 to 5 years, my goal is to have a number of advisers within my personal business. This all stems from the desire to help as many people as possible, ensure they are in a better financial position and help guide them through life’s financial questions. 

I would also like to gain further qualifications in financial planning and gain Chartered status at the 5-year point.  This would provide extra guarantees of success for the clients that I serve.

What is your proudest achievement since joining the Academy?

In the short period I have been an adviser (I started seeing clients in early September 2024), I was thrilled to be recognised as “Top Rated Adviser” with VouchedFor in 2024 for the work I have done for clients.

Although not a specific achievement, when I see clients and know I have helped with their problems, the gratitude I receive makes the challenges worth it. It is this sense of achievement that pushes me to keep improving and see how I can help more and more people secure their financial future.

What advice would you give to someone considering a transition from the military into financial advice? 

It is no doubt a huge decision to change careers. However, don’t let that put you off.  The many skills you have developed through your time in the military will help you succeed in providing financial advice.  If you solve each problem that you encounter on your journey one at a time rather than an overwhelming challenge from military to financial adviser, you will be confident in your ability to overcome the obstacles you may face. Before you know it you will be seeing clients and know that you can support their needs.

Transitioning from the military to financial services has been a rewarding journey. The M&G Wealth Academy provided the perfect platform to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to build a successful business while making a real difference in people’s lives.

For any veteran considering a career in financial advice, I highly recommend exploring what the M&G Wealth Advice Academy has to offer.