London, EC1M 5NP United Kingdom
2023 woke us up to AI.
2024 got us experimenting with AI.
2025 proved what’s possible.
2026 is when wealth managers scale AI with discipline, confidence and measurable ROI.
Most firms are no longer asking whether AI matters. They are asking where it delivers real value, how to govern it properly, and how to move beyond pilots without creating new risk.
That is where the PIMFA AI Leaders Incubator Programme comes in.
Delivered in partnership with Publicis Sapient, this hands-on, one-day programme is designed for senior leaders in wealth and advice who need to turn AI ambition into practical, defensible action. It is not a conference, not passive learning, and not AI theatre. It is a working environment where firms test ideas, shape use cases, build business cases and leave with a clearer route to execution.
Cohort 1 in February 2026 has already shown what this can unlock.
Leaders with little or no coding experience from firms including Quilter, Evelyn Partners and Absolute Financial reported a 50% increase in confidence in sponsoring or constructively challenging AI initiatives inside their firms.
100% said the Incubator improved their ability to identify strong AI use cases and strengthened cross-functional collaboration.
75% said it improved their ability to prioritise AI initiatives based on risk and value.
What participants valued most:
- A more actionable way to think about risk and prioritisation
- Greater confidence to think bigger about AI, without losing control
- Practical tools to build a compelling business case
- A clearer blueprint for turning ambition into implementation
Cohort 1 left with more than inspiration. They left with a clearer grip on risk, a stronger business case for action and greater confidence in how to turn AI ambition into practical progress.
“A more actionable way to tackle risk and prioritisation.”
“Permission to think bigger about what AI could do, without losing sight of human oversight, validation and learning.”
“The right tools to build a compelling business case for AI, grounded in meaningful, practical value across the business.”
“A clearer sense that while AI can feel new and overwhelming, implementation is tangible and practical if you follow a blueprint, test, learn and build with intent.”
The Incubator is built to help senior leaders answer the questions that matter most:
- Where can AI genuinely improve performance?
- Which use cases are worth backing?
- How do we balance opportunity, risk and regulation?
- How do we build a credible business case for action?
As an Incubator participant, you’ll work alongside seasoned AI practitioners and peers to develop use cases, test ideas, strengthen governance thinking and build a more confident narrative for change inside your firms.
As a senior leader, you’ll leave the Incubator with:
- clearer, higher-value AI use cases
- stronger cross-functional alignment
- a sharper view of risk, value and prioritisation
- greater confidence to sponsor, challenge and lead AI initiatives internally
Who’s the AI Leaders Incubator for?
You’re a senior leader, not a coder. No background in IT or data science required. You’re the decision-maker in your firm, shaping digital strategy, driving innovation, and making the big calls on investment, risk, and transformation. You’re ready to turn data and AI into your next competitive advantage. The AI Leaders Incubator is built for senior executives who want to move beyond experimentation and make AI real, embedding it into operations, culture, and strategy to deliver measurable business results.
Enrolment
Enrolment is now open for Cohort 2 of the AI Leaders Incubator. Places are limited to one senior leader per firm and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that each applicant’s level of seniority will be reviewed by PIMFA and admission will be subject to our final approval.
Still have questions?
Please contact:
Philip Allen, Head of Learning
learning@pimfa.co.uk