@DeeHellem thank you for the extremely detailed message.
I have read a bit further about the the CII with its "DipPFS" Level 4 diploma, its "APFS" level 6 diploma, and its CFP status which also requires a certain numbers of relevant work experience. I had not realised quite how many years of study are involved for the CII diploma.
I have also come across something called "DipFA" that looks much more lightweight in many ways, but does at first look appear potentially suitable as a way to get a "good enough" solid overview of the key knowledge areas for financial planning, which could allow a person to get into practice faster while meeting regulatory and legal requirements. Were I starting out and looking to build a foundation for a new career, I think it would clearly make sense to pick the most robust option. However, I do come into this with a few decades of investing experience and a CFA designation, so if I wanted to approach this by complementing the investment expertise that I already have with enough knowledge on the personal finance / planning / tax / compliance side to be capable and permitted to help people, then from the curriculum, this looks like it might also be a sensible and realistic path to pursue. There are ways to build upon that either with LIBF or by going elsewhere. But I know nothing about the reputation of that diploma. Are you aware of the LIBF DipFA diploma, and if so do you think it is any good, or would it rather be so lightweight as to raise red flags in your view?
Otherwise, your overall framework for time requirements and revenue potential is also very helpful. I am slightly different in that I do not really need to earn a living by doing this (I can do that from my own investments). The idea would be to work perhaps a couple days per week on average in order to be of service rather than 100% retired, whilst also at least covering all of the fixed cash costs for compliance, investment platforms, IT, etc in order to do this. Your comments will help me try to work out what size of client base would be needed in order to achieve that. Expanding beyond that could always become an option at a later date if doing the above did work out.
Any further comments you may have will be read with interest and attention. And, if you would be willing to engage with me any further, either here or using direct messages, in order to go into a few more details such as which networks like yours do exist and their pros and cons (or even which one you chose to work with), what other "infrastructure" needs to be in place to do this (eg GDPR compliant IT, market data services, investment platform(s), corporate operating structure, etc), and what the minimum fixed costs to cover that are likely to be? I am asking you this because you seem to care, as do I, about peoples need to translate their financial resources into more quality of life for themselves and others, and if you end up helping me find a way to do this then you will be indirectly helping all of my future clients. However, I also fully appreciate that there is only so much time in the day, and I would understand it if you did not want to comment any further. Either way, let me just thank you again for being so very helpful.