St. James’s Place highlights the importance of lifecycle financial planning amid market shifts and UAE growth

As Dubai crosses a new population milestone — surpassing 3.9 million for the first time in the first quarter of 2025 – St. James’s Place (SJP), a FTSE-listed global financial advisory firm with over one million customers and $245 billion in assets under management, and a growing footprint in the Middle East, is calling attention to the urgent need for lifecycle financial planning.

From young professionals establishing their careers to families laying down roots and retirees seeking long-term security, the firm says financial planning must evolve in step with each stage of life — particularly in dynamic markets like the UAE.

“The UAE’s growth story is attracting a new wave of globally mobile professionals, entrepreneurs, and families,” says Daniel George, Head of Business, St. James’s Place Middle East. “But as the country grows, so do the financial decisions people must make — from managing tax and income in multiple financial jurisdictions to navigating education, healthcare, retirement and expatriation costs. Structured, long-term financial planning is no longer a luxury — it’s essential.”

SJP’s approach offers holistic financial advice and services tailored to key events across different life stages, helping you and your family secure your financial well-being. 

At the beginning of your career, setting long term targets can put you in a better position to achieve goals later in life. Sitting down with an adviser can help you work out how much money to aim for in retirement, tailor the right long-term investments and strategy for your needs, and help with balance personal budgeting or manage debt. While it’s never too late to seek financial advice, doing so early can boost your chances of success.

Getting married, having children, and buying a home are huge milestones, and each one brings different financial considerations. A qualified adviser can help you save for your children’s education, connect you with mortgage advisers, and arrange protection for families. Critical illness and life insurance cover as well as Wills and temporary guardianship are all part of a comprehensive financial plan to protect your loved ones if the worst was to happen.

People often forget to plan ahead when moving abroad, or even think about repatriation down the line — an adviser can be a crucial resource to help you navigate potential pitfalls and ensure you’re building wealth in your most crucial ‘earning years’. With many UAE residents living as expats, SJP offers cross-border financial planning — including tax advice, currency management, and international mortgages.

In the mid-to-late stages of your career, you’ll need someone to help you build wealth for the next generation, above and beyond your retirement. An adviser can help with estate planning, setting up a tax efficient trust for your loved ones, establishing a regular gifting plan, or start inheritance tax planning. At this stage, the cost of children’s education is usually also a consideration.

For many people, the retirement dream is simple: financial independence. Hopefully, after decades of working with an adviser, you’ll be well set up to live the retirement you always dreamed of. At this stage, many people need help with their pension withdrawals, navigating annuities and lump sums. Having an adviser on board can help you live the retirement you want, whether it’s a simple life with grandkids or international jet setting. A financial adviser ensures these life goals are well within reach.

In a region marked by rapid change, SJP’s emphasis is on building long-term client relationships that adapts to evolving financial and personal goals —not one-time financial fixes. The firm’s presence in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and regulation under the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) reinforces its commitment to offering globally informed, locally grounded financial advice.

“Planning for the future isn’t about predicting what will happen — it’s about being ready for whatever does,” adds George. “That’s what we help our clients achieve.”

With uncertainty expected to remain a defining feature of the global landscape, structured financial planning continues to be a vital tool in helping individuals and families secure their financial futures. To learn more about SJP’s lifecycle financial planning services please visit https://www.sjp.asia/ae.