New financial advisers join Calton’s self-employed support network

Evergreen by Calton has welcomed its first six self-employed financial planners, creating a new framework for independent advisers to enter the field with organized backing. Among them are professionals at varying career stages: four working toward competent adviser status (CAS), two who are new to the industry, and three with backgrounds in non-advisory financial services. The initiative addresses longstanding challenges, particularly the difficulty of obtaining CAS certification for new practitioners.

Hayley Rabbets, who heads Evergreen, developed the program to combine the flexibility of self-employment with the operational resources typically found in larger firms. It caters to newly qualified advisers, established planners looking to expand, and those preparing for succession. Calton identified significant barriers for new advisers, especially around CAS access, as a primary reason for launching the effort.

James McHugh, who moved from banking, described the lack of clear CAS pathways as a major hurdle. “As someone changing careers, I struggled to find options that aligned with my objectives,” he stated. “Evergreen solved that problem directly.” Simon Lloyd, who owned a wine business for over two decades, joined because of the program’s emphasis on full planning and independence. “The combination of Calton’s support and peer networks makes this a realistic choice,” he observed.

Leticia Fonseca, a financial coach with seven years of experience, was attracted to the opportunity to merge advisory work with educational outreach. The group relies on Pilot for client relationship management, Fundment for platform services, and Aspen for managed portfolios—tools Lloyd emphasized as vital for solo practitioners without dedicated administrative staff. Bex Welthy, a decade-long adviser transitioning to self-employment, pointed to simplified operations and collaborative networks as key advantages. She intends to focus on serving vulnerable clients while pursuing additional counseling qualifications.

The expansion of Evergreen will proceed methodically, Rabbets confirmed, prioritizing teamwork over rapid growth. “Our focus is on reducing obstacles so advisers can concentrate on delivering value to clients,” she said. The program operates under Calton, where Rabbets collaborates with founder and CEO Tom Ham.