Introducing clarityON, the podcast that illuminates the world of finance. Join us as we delve into the complexities of the market, unravel the mysteries of pensions, and explore all things related to wealth management. In each episode, our team including chartered financial planners, investment managers and paraplanners will share their expertise and real-world experiences, ensuring you stay ahead of the game in the world of finance. But clarityON goes beyond numbers and charts; we're passio ...
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Welcome to The Financial Planner Life Podcast. We cover an intimate and honest account of what it’s really like to work in the financial planning profession. Our guests share their stories of success, failures, and learnings, as well as what to expect from a career in the financial planning profession! We host guests at various stages in their careers, as well as multiple roles, to ensure that our audience has a variety each week. Financial planners, business owners, paraplanners, and back-o ...
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Join us as we chat to special guests from across the industry about their experiences of getting in and getting on in financial services. On this podcast we aim to bring together peers and industry experts to share real career stories from real people. Find out about study options, exams and routes to qualification, and hear about our guests' experience on subjects including: Getting into Financial Services; where to start? Changing careers and transferrable skills. Routes to Level 4 Qualifi ...
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Welcome to "How Did We Get Here?" - the podcast where our two Talking Heads, Jess Bost and Mark Newfield, bring on guests to learn more about their past lives before landing where they are today. As you know, life is super simple, straightforward and never makes people ask "Wait, you did what?!" So join us for an honest convo on career exploration, overcoming setbacks, considering when to pivot, and offering encouragement on how to find value in your career and life choices. Let's ask the qu ...
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The Problem With... podcast is here to challenge the everyday problems or myths we face in financial services and to provide practical solutions. Hosted by Alex and Annabel, we offer practical advice to help financial advisers to take back control of their careers. Whether you are just starting out or looking to enhance your existing business, our mission is to guide you every step of the way. Tune in and transform your advisory journey!
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All LIBF podcasts are now on our main channel https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/libf. For future programmes please subscribe to The LIBF Podcast.
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35. From Paraplanner to Powerhouse with Courtney Ranstrom
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39:13
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39:13This one is for every woman who has ever been told it wasn’t her moment yet. Jess and Mark have an honest conversation with Courtney Ranstrom, co-founder of Trailhead Planners, and all we can say is: what a story! She overcame the feeling of being “just a paraplanner” at her dad’s firm and built her path to having a business and a voice of her own,…
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The Problem With Paraplanner Career Progression
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34:21
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34:21In this episode of The Problem With, hosts Alex and Annabel dive deep into the overlooked and often misunderstood world of paraplanner career progression in financial services. Drawing from their own journeys—from administrator to paraplanner to compliance professional—they unpack why so many firms still lack structured career paths, especially for…
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I never thought someone like me could be a financial planner!
51:57
51:57
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51:57Thinking about a career in financial planning? In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Miriam Murphy joins Sam Oakes to share her powerful career switch story, from Executive Assistant to qualified financial planner, with support from the St. James’s Place Academy. Miriam opens up about her early money mindset, paying off debt, buying a home, an…
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Restricted or IFA? What is best for my Financial Planning Career - with Wayne Griffiths from One Financial Solutions.
53:26
53:26
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53:26Wayne Griffiths | One Financial Solutions | Financial Planner Careers In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes sit down with Wayne Griffiths, Managing Partner at One Financial Solutions, to explore how he’s creating meaningful, supportive career paths for self-employed financial planners. We also dive into the ongoing debate…
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6 Months of President Trump: How the Global Economy has Changed
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29:45In this episode of clarityON, Chris Finch (Investment Analyst at clarity) is joined by Glyn Bolton (Investment Director at clarity) to explore how President Trump’s dramatic return to the White House has impacted global markets and economies in just six months. From sweeping executive orders and aggressive tariff policies to shifting market dynamic…
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Self-Employed Chartered Financial Planner with £10M AUM, By 26 - Lawrence Bearman from Westminster Wealth Management
48:58
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48:58From Admin to Self-Employed Financial Planner with £10M AUM by 26! In this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Lawrence Bearman, a 26-year-old Chartered Financial Planner at Westminster Wealth Management who's gone from admin assistant to managing £10 million in assets, all within his first year of self-employmen…
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“Built a £60 million AUM Financial Planning Business After Surviving Cancer” A Foster Denovo Special
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45:18
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45:18From Critical Illness to £60M Practice: Russell Cook’s Story of Resilience, Mindset and Career Growth at Foster Denovo In this special partnership episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast with Foster Denovo, we speak with Russell Cook — a senior partner, self-employed financial planner, and two-time survivor of life-threatening illness. Russel…
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34. From Climate Change to Culture Change with Elena Krasnow
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24:41What do Greenpeace, tarot cards, and financial PR have in common? Elena Krasnow, our guest on this episode of How Did We Get Here? She had it figured out: a college degree in environmental studies, a life-changing trip to Madagascar, and a job at Greenpeace. Fighting climate change and working with communities was the plan! But COVID happened, and …
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From Council Estate to Financial Planning TV & Social Media Influencer!
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52:11
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52:11In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, host Sam Oakes reconnects with Emmanuel Asuquo, a leading financial planner, TV personality, and social media educator. Emmanuel was Sam’s second-ever guest when the podcast launched, making this a special full-circle conversation. They dive deep into Emmanuel’s journey from growing up on a cou…
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She left the Army and became a Financial Planner Mum, With St James's Place Academy | Katie Volker
51:49
51:49
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51:49In this episode of the financial planner life podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Katie, a former Army officer who transitioned into a successful financial planning career with the St. James’s Place Academy. Katie’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and building a business that fits around life’s big moments, including becoming a mum mid-way …
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33. From Importing Lumber to Guiding Lives with Matt Hobson
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37:02Matt Hobson's career journey feels like a cross-country hike. He went from studying spotted owls in Oregon's forests to importing lumber from New Zealand, and ended up helping people with their financial decisions. He is the ninth child of thirteen siblings. Yes, you read that right, thirteen! They didn’t call themselves "the wilderness" of Eastern…
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Let Go or Burn Out: Jeri Williams’ Guide to Reclaiming Your Time
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29:27Jeri Williams on Scaling a Business, Letting Go of Control, and Building a Life with More Freedom In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes sits down with Jeri Williams, the powerhouse behind Smooth Accounting in the UK and now Smooth Dubai. Jeri shares how she built a business that runs without her, the mindset shift that allowed her to…
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In this episode of The Problem With, hosts Alex and Annabel dive into one of the industry's most debated topics: the role of networks in financial services. They're joined by Paul Day, founder of Network Consulting Services Ltd, who brings over 30 years of industry experience as an advisor and network strategist. Paul shares his insights into why m…
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The M&G Wealth Advice Academy: Supporting you to build your business
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30:58In this episode, Natalie Dawes at BTS chats to Allen Ferrol and Stephen Christie at The M&G Wealth Advice Academy about the support their trainee advisers receive, when it comes to building their own business. Key outcomes? Natalie learns about how the support from the team at The Academy is well rounded, thorough and adaptable - helping trainees t…
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He Built £12M AUM With Just LinkedIn and a Laptop - Financial Planner Success! | Aleem Nijabat
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44:59In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes speaks with Aleem Nijabat, a self-employed financial planner who built £12 million in AUM without a client bank, without leads, and without a background in finance. Aleem started during lockdown, working alone from his bedroom. He had just qualified, had no clients, and relied entirel…
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In this episode of The Problem With, Alex and Annabel are joined by Nicky from Woven Advice to unpack one of the financial advice industry’s most overlooked areas: platform switching. With Consumer Duty placing increasing pressure on advisers to demonstrate value, platform costs and client outcomes are more important than ever. But is switching wor…
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In this episode of clarityON, Senior Investment Management Services (IMS) Administrator Francisca (Kika) Ferreira and Chartered Financial Adviser Tuhin Miah consider a crucial question for investors: Why should you consolidate your investments? With portfolios increasingly scattered across multiple platforms, investment consolidation isn’t just abo…
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32. From Mania to Meaning with Phil Pearlman
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41:04Meet Phil Pearlman, a former special education teacher with a trading background. He is now dedicated to helping people improve their health to boost their business and life results. In this conversation, he goes from explaining the current bird flu cycle and how it affects egg prices to a mindful parenting masterclass, and believe it or not, he ti…
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In this episode, we dive into the challenges surrounding Management Information (MI) and how it’s often underutilised by advisers. We explore how, when used effectively, MI can become a powerful tool to drive business growth, uncover weaknesses, and improve performance. We also touch on how other industries refer to MI as “business intelligence” — …
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Why You Feel Anxious About Money (And Don’t Even Know It) - with Dennis Harhalakis
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49:22In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes is joined by certified money coach Dennis Harhalakis to explore the powerful emotional side of money - and why financial planners can't afford to ignore it. Dennis shares how our earliest money experiences shape the way we think, feel, and act around money as adults. Whether it’s shame, fear, sca…
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31. From Therapy Couch to Financial Advisor Coach with Ashley Quamme
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37:55Ashley Quamme's path in financial advice was not the most typical one, but there were some early signs, like the fact that she was born on “Tax Day” and used to offer counseling to her classmates in the lunch line. Later, she worked as a mental health therapist until she discovered a new way to use her skills: advising advisors. If we add that she …
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In this episode, we confront the uncomfortable truths about being a woman in financial services. From the subtle microaggressions to the overt barriers, we share real experiences that highlight just how challenging the industry can be — and why that needs to change. But this isn’t just about the problems. It’s about the power of authenticity. We ex…
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In this episode of clarityON, Chartered Financial Adviser Vicki Watson and Senior Paraplanner Andrew Kemp unpack everything you need to know about Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) — one of the UK’s most tax-efficient tools for saving and investing. From the basics of Cash ISAs and Stocks & Shares ISAs to the ins and outs of Lifetime ISAs, Junior …
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From ChatGPT to Chat SJP: The AI Revolution at St. James’s Place | John O'Driscoll & Wenyu Bai (SJP)
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48:12In this episode, Sam Oakes is joined by John O’Driscoll and Wenyu Bai from St. James’s Place to explore how AI and technology are being developed to support the future of financial planning. Discover how SJP’s 2030 vision is being built around: Advice Assistant: An AI-enabled tool already in production that reduces the time to produce advice packs …
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In this episode, we delve into the critical role of personalised policies within financial services. Moving away from generic templates, we explore how bespoke policies can reflect a company's unique values and operational realities. With 76% of customers expecting personalized experiences, the financial sector must adapt to meet these evolving exp…
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30. From Marketing Noise to Meaningful Work with Dennis Moseley-Williams
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44:41What if the real reason people hire you has nothing to do with money? In this conversation, keynote speaker Dennis Moseley-Williams shares how his background in anthropology shaped a completely different approach to financial advising and business building. He explains why clients crave fulfillment, connection, and transformation more than they car…
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20 Years, 450+ People: The Foster Denovo Growth Journey with Roger Brosch
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27:45Roger Brosch | 20 Years of Foster Denovo, 47% Growth, and the Launch of Foster Denovo Talks In this episode of Financial Planner Life, we welcome back Roger Brosch, CEO of Foster Denovo, to reflect on a standout year for the business. 47% revenue growth 200+ new hires 7 acquisitions A thriving culture that’s stronger than ever Roger shares what’s d…
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From Rejection to Chartered Financial Planner: Jay Dhaliwal's Journey
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46:56In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, host Sam Oakes sits down with Jay Dhaliwal, Chartered Financial Planner at Chase de Vere, to talk about her inspiring career journey. Jay shares how facing rejection twice for financial planner roles early in her career didn’t stop her - it fueled her. Already working as a paraplanner, she used…
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In this special hour-long episode, I’m joined by someone who’s not only my yoga teacher, but also a former City lawyer with first-hand experience of financial crime and its consequences. Claire pulls back the curtain on the world of AML (Anti-Money Laundering), compliance, and regulation — and trust me, it's anything but dry. We explore: Why AML ch…
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29. From Sushi Entrepreneur to Financial Advisor with John Stoj
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39:24
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39:24John Stoj’s career took some unexpected turns—Wall Street trader, sushi entrepreneur, and reluctantly, a financial advisor. Along the way, he realized he loved helping people with money, just not in the way big firms do it. This may just be the least straight-line journey we’ve gone through yet! Stay tuned as we get into John’s story, where he “kic…
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From Recruiter to £266M Financial Planner | A Career Change That Paid Off - with Vikash Kanani
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44:57How a Former Recruiter Built a £266M Financial Planning Business - Vikash’s Journey from BD to Chartered Adviser In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes is joined by Chartered Financial Planner Vikash, who shares how he made the bold move from a successful recruitment career into the world of financial advice. Vikash’s stor…
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In this episode of clarityON, CEO Angus Jones is joined by Daniel Smith, Chartered Adviser, to help you make sense of the new tax year. Together, they explore what has changed, what is on the horizon, and how to plan ahead with confidence. Topics include: Key tax year changes to be aware of The latest on pension legislation updates coming in 2027 —…
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In this short and sweet episode, we shine a light on a common pitfall in financial advice — misunderstanding or overlooking FCA roles and permissions. We explore how advisers can get it wrong, what that means in practice, and most importantly, how to check you're operating within the lines. Whether you're an adviser or working with one, this is a m…
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How Financial Planners Can Win with Marketing in 2025 | Samantha Russell
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42:02This week on the Financial Planner Life podcast, I sat down with Samantha Russell, one of the most respected voices in financial adviser marketing in the US. She shared insight after insight. Here’s one that really stuck with me: “Even if someone is referred to you, they’re still going to Google you. What they find next decides whether they pick up…
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28. From Lacrosse to Cross-Border Finance: Building Bird’s Eye with Sam Rook
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36:12In this episode, Mark and Jess talk to Sam Rook, a Canadian financial advisor who went from studying physical education to becoming a go-to expert in cross-border and founder of Bird’s Eye Wealth. How did that happen? A $10,000 investment, and an inspiring mentor who changed his path forever. In this episode: - Sam’s career switch from teaching to …
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In this episode, we’re diving into the often-dreaded but incredibly important annual audit for financial advice firms. We break down what the audit process actually involves, why it’s nothing to fear, and how—believe it or not—it can help you grow and manage your business more effectively. From smart preparation tips to mindset shifts, we’re here t…
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The Problem with Going Directly Authorised
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33:33Becoming directly authorised by the FCA is a big step—but is it the right one? In this episode, we sit down with Nick Davies, who has recently gone through the authorisation process himself. He shares: ✅ How to prepare for FCA approval ✅ Whether working with a compliance company made the process easier ✅ The challenges, surprises, and whether he th…
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Paul Jackson from Invesco on Investment Strategy & Career Lessons
1:11:14
1:11:14
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1:11:14In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Chris Ball sits down with Paul Jackson, Global Head of Asset Allocation Research at Invesco, to explore the career pivots, market cycles, and investment principles that shaped his journey from working-class beginnings to global leadership. Paul shares his honest reflections on a non-linear care…
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How well are schools preparing the next generation for the real world of money? In this episode, I sit down with my teenage sons to find out what they’re actually taught in school about finance, how they discuss money with their friends, and the lessons they’re picking up from social media (for better or worse!). It’s an eye-opening conversation th…
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27. From College Dropout to Grief Guru with Kathi Balasek
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40:36Kathi Balasek shares her remarkable journey from flunking college, becoming a physical education teacher and then eventually, a grief expert. Kathi demonstrates how seemingly unrelated skills create a unique path for helping others navigate loss. Key Takeaways: • Grief is not a competition – "the only loss that matters is your loss" • Focusing on e…
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Can You Be a Financial Planner with ADHD & Dyslexia?
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1:01:18This week on The Financial Planner Life Podcast, we’re celebrating Neurodiversity Celebration Week with an inspiring conversation featuring Dan Buckland, a financial planner who has ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia. Dan’s story is one of self-doubt, resilience, and transformation. Growing up, he was told by teachers he’d “never amount to anything.” …
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In this episode of clarityON, we’re taking a deep dive into clarityONLINE, our secure, all-in-one digital portal designed to give you a complete view of your financial world. Host Leila Photiou, Digital Marketing Manager, is joined by Gordon Jones, clarity’s Chief Technology Officer, to explore how clarityONLINE empowers clients to track investment…
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26. How Did We Get From Rock ‘n’ Roll to Financial Planning? Part 2 with Matt Zeigler
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28:37Matt Zeigler’s journey shows the power of curiosity and adaptability in navigating one's career through uncertainties. From his unexpected pivots during the global financial crisis to initiating his podcast "Just Press Record," Matt emphasizes the importance of embracing chaos as a path to growth. Key takeaways: • Resilience during the global finan…
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Joining The St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy - A Success Story
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39:53Will Salmon, BTS Candidate Support and Business Development Adviser sits down with James Locke DipPFS from Chartered Edge Financial Planning, to ask about James' recent experience of being a delegate on the St. James's Place Financial Adviser Academy. James used BTS materials during his R0 exams and speaks about how they helped him through his Dipl…
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Hiring Missionaries, Not Mercenaries: How Guy Skinner Built a £1M Financial Planning Firm
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51:30Hiring Missionaries, Not Mercenaries with Guy Skinner In this episode of Financial Planner Life, we welcome back Guy Skinner, founder of Citygate Financial Planning, to discuss what it really takes to build a sustainable, mission-driven financial planning firm. Key Takeaways: 🔹 Why ‘Missionaries, Not Mercenaries’ Is the Hiring Philosophy That Works…
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Want to Be a Financial Planner? Here’s What You Need to Know! - with Carla Brown
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35:44🚀 How Do We Attract and Develop the Next Generation of Financial Planners? In this episode of Financial Planner Life, I sit down with Carla Brown, President of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) and Founder & CEO of Oakmere Wealth Management, to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities in financial planning today. 🎯 We cover: ✅ The PFS Prof…
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The Problem with Marking Your Own Homework
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17:03In this episode, Alex and Annabel dive into a critical issue in financial services—advisers and compliance companies effectively "marking their own homework." When advisers review their own suitability letters or compliance firms assess templates they’ve provided, is the process truly objective? Or does it create a false sense of security? We explo…
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25. How Did We Get From Rock ‘n’ Roll to Financial Planning? with Matt Zeigler
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29:04Matt Zeigler started out as a guitarist, hustling to make it in the music industry. Then, the dawn of the internet sent him along a different path, to financial services. He talks about how he was able to see his ADHD as a strength, and inspires listeners to embrace setbacks and not be afraid to pivot towards finding their passions. Key Takeaways: …
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Chris Ball: Hoxton Wealth’s Big Plans for 2025
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59:22Chris Ball is back on the Financial Planner Life Podcast, and this time, we’re diving deep into Hoxton Wealth’s explosive growth in 2024 and what’s coming in 2025. From smashing revenue and AUM targets to a complete brand transformation, Hoxton Wealth has gone from industry underdog to one of the most disruptive firms in financial planning. But not…
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The Problem with the Advice Gap - Is AI the Answer?
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33:05Are you wondering how AI can enhance your financial advice business while keeping your client data secure? Or perhaps you're unsure how to offer a service that meets the needs of all potential clients? In this episode, we sit down with Madeleine from Otto Finance, who is at the forefront of AI for financial advisers. She shares her expert insights …
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