St James’s Place and the Gloucestershire Business school have launched a new personal finance research institute.

The Finance in Society Research Institute is based at the University of Gloucestershire’s Oxstalls Campus.

The institute will provide high-quality master’s and doctoral level qualifications for financial services industry professionals, develop academic and industry research, and deliver research seminar series.

SJP has previously partnered with the university to create a specialist MBA programme in Financial Planning.

Dr Dominic Page, head of the Gloucestershire Business School, said: “We’re extremely proud to be launching our new Finance in Society Research Institute in what we’re confident will prove another successful collaboration with St. James’s Place.

“The Research Institute presents a fantastic opportunity to bring together the expertise of the University, colleagues undertaking master’s and doctoral qualifications and the wider financial planning industry.

“It will enhance opportunities for advancing knowledge with a focus on a range of key themes in personal finance including enhancing and attaining financial capability, addressing financial vulnerability, accumulation and decumulation of wealth and addressing the industry skills gap.”

The institute launched today.

Edward Grant, director responsible for professional development at St. James’s Place, said: “There is a distinct need for rigorous academic research on finance in society, so we are excited to expand our partnership with the University to develop a dedicated research unit. Enhancing academic research in this space will help to broaden our knowledge as an profession and help to identify areas for development, delivering better outcomes for all in society.”  

Research topics to be covered at the institute include women in finance, client vulnerability and financial literacy, the financial implications of the conflict in the Ukraine, and technological advancements in personal finance.

SJP and the University of Gloucestershire launched its specialist MBA in Financial Planning in May. It is aimed at Financial Planners who have achieved Chartered status and wish to develop their skills further. It focuses on goals-based planning. 

St James’s Place says it encourages its partners and advisers to demonstrate their commitments to their profession by achieving professional qualifications.

St James’s Place says that over 23.8% of its partners and advisers now hold a Chartered title awarded by one of the professional bodies, including Chartered Financial Planner, Chartered Wealth Manager, Chartered Associate and Chartered Financial Analyst.