Let’s be honest.
Most people don’t grow up dreaming of meetings about pensions, inheritance tax, or long-term financial planning. For many in the next generation, financial advice sits somewhere between doing a tax return and organising the garage, important, but very easy to put off.
And yet, one day, it suddenly matters.
The great wealth transfer
Over the next couple of decades, a huge amount of wealth will move from one generation to the next. Property, pensions, investments, businesses etc.
The problem?
Many people receiving that wealth:
- Don’t fully understand it
- Haven’t been part of the conversation
- Don’t have a relationship with an adviser they trust
So, what happens? They switch advisers… or worse, stop taking advice altogether.
Not ideal when real money and real decisions are involved.
Why the next generation switches off.
Younger adults don’t avoid advice because they’re careless, they avoid it because it often feels:
- Too formal
- Too technical
- Too “this will matter when you’re 65”
Add in a healthy dose of jargon and a long PDF, and disengagement is almost guaranteed.
At Digby Associates, the average age of our advisers is 36.
That means:
- We remember renting, student loans, career changes and childcare costs
- We know that life rarely follows a neat financial timeline
- We’re used to explaining complex things in plain English (without sounding like a textbook)
We don’t believe financial planning should feel like a lecture, it should feel like a conversation.
Conversations are more relaxed
Questions feel easier to ask (including the “basic” ones)
Financial planning feels relevant now, not “one day”
It also means we’re naturally focused on long-term relationships. We’re not just planning for the next review , we’re planning for the next 20 or 30 years.
Intergenerational planning without the awkwardness
Intergenerational financial planning doesn’t mean forcing family meetings around the kitchen table (unless you want to).
Done well, it’s about:
- Gradually involving the next generation
- Building confidence before responsibility
- Making sure everyone understands what exists and why
- Avoiding nasty surprises later
And yes, it’s possible to talk about money without it being uncomfortable.
Planning that grows with you
Families want to know that:
- Their children won’t feel lost when wealth transfers
- Decisions won’t be rushed under pressure
- Advice will still feel relevant years from now
With an adviser team whose average age is 36, Digby Associates is built to grow with your family, not just advise one generation.
Disclaimer: Estate Planning and Inheritance Tax Planning are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Approver Quilter Financial Services Ltd. January 2026