Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Financial Planner Life Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From the Trading Floor To Financial Planner with £70 Million AUM | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:46:41 | |
In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Kanishk Swarup shares his incredible journey from high-stakes equity derivatives trading at JP Morgan and Credit Suisse to launching his own financial planning practice through the St. James’s Place Academy. We explore what it’s really like to work on a trading floor, the burnout behind big bonuses, and the unexpected truth: even successful finance professionals often have no financial plan. Kanishk opens up about growing up in a small town in India, landing a scholarship at LSE, navigating culture shock in the UK, and building a life from scratch — all leading to a career defined by purpose over pressure. He now runs Compound Wealth Planning, a thriving partner practice with £70 million in assets under management. 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✨ Who This Episode is For:
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Active vs Passive investing: A Pointless Debate for Financial Planners? | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:55:50 | |
In this episode of Financial Planner Life, host Sam Oakes sits down with Andrew Spence, Co-Founder of Aspen, to challenge the industry’s most controversial questions - what we call the Marmite topics of financial planning. Aspen was born out of something deeper than disruption. After a personal health crisis led Andrew to reflect on the impact of his work, he decided to build a model portfolio service that put purpose, clarity & client outcomes first. Now, he’s leading the charge on topics that divide financial services professionals daily. 🚨 Here’s what we cover:
Andrew shares why financial planners need to stop overcomplicating things & start designing investment experiences that genuinely serve the people behind the portfolios. This is a must-watch for: 📩 Learn more about Aspen or book a discovery session. 00:00 - Intro: From engineering to investment management 00:34 - Andrew's early career & first role in wealth management 02:45 - A personal health crisis & the search for purpose 04:44 - Is finance a noble profession? 05:39 - Why start an MPS business in a saturated market? 08:06 - How engineering logic shaped Aspen's investment approach 09:33 - Building intuitive tech for financial planners 11:05 - Starting from scratch: Aspen’s early days & growth 13:28 - Early supporters & the power of trust in MPS 14:41 - Social proof & buying decisions in financial planning 16:17 - Could AI avatars replace financial advisers? 18:21 - Active vs Passive - is the debate pointless? 22:34 - Is evidence-based investing just marketing? 25:16 - Why risk profiling is broken 29:01 - Should Bitcoin or gold be in portfolios? 32:44 - Is private equity too complex for clients? 34:43 - Andrew’s approach to LinkedIn & thought leadership 37:04 - Sam’s take: Building trust & visibility on LinkedIn 41:04 - Why YouTube is a goldmine for financial planners 42:37 - Sam’s full breakdown of a video-first marketing setup 45:19 - Turning content into conversations & conversions 46:32 - Engagement matters: Don’t post & ghost 48:24 - What’s next for wealth management & MPS? 50:01 - Final reflections & how to connect with Aspen QFrXdmRdqMuoQ1DSQ5qd Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| So, you want to be a self-employed IFA? Watch this first! | 13 Aug 2025 | 00:41:15 | |
If you’re a newly Level 4 Diploma qualified financial adviser with or without CAS status, an experienced financial planner wanting to run your own practice, or a mortgage broker looking to expand into financial planning, this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast is a must-listen. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Supercharging Financial Planning Through Award Winning Administration | 09 Nov 2023 | 00:58:24 | |
Administration, often seen as a great starting point for those beginning their career in Financial Planning, but due to being stigmatised as a career stepping stone, finding an experienced, highly capable admin is gold for Financial Planning firms aiming for success. In steps this week’s guest, Maria Mushtaq, Award Winning IFA Administrator at Holden & Partners, Chartered, B Corp Financial Planning firm! Maria is a shining example of the value added by this often-overlooked area of the profession, as having a trusted back-office team to lean on is crucial for the success of any Financial Planning business.
Maria built strong foundations in Law before moving to Financial Services, a transition we’ve regularly come across in our conversations, and hasn’t looked back since. She describes some of the key highlights of working in this industry, as well as some of the challenges involved in this highly varied and challenging role.
As an administrator, Maria is involved in the entirety of the client journey, we discuss the incredible breadth of her knowledge required to carry out this role effectively, and the importance of Admins maintaining regular contact with clients.
As well as being a great foundation for moving into any role within Financial Planning, strong IFA Administrators put themselves into a position of having a range of career prospects. Maria talks us through the wide variety of options available to those in an administration position, including team management, compliance, investment management and more, as well as when to consider the move.
If you’re an administrator looking for ways to exceed expectations and add maximum value to the Financial Planning process, check out this episode and take a leaf out of Maria’s book! Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Why You Should Become a Financial Planner: Live from Changefest | 02 Nov 2023 | 01:01:54 | |
The Financial Planner Life hosts Sam Oakes, Elena Stephenson and Charlie Scott were recently invited to speak at The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) Changefest event, to talk all things careers in Financial Planning.
This was a chance for us to champion the profession of Financial Planning, raise awareness of the abundance of opportunity out there for those entering the industry, as well as offering expertise on securing a position in a firm.
We covered: - Roles within Financial Planning - Salaries, qualifications and relevant skills - Financial Planning as a career choice - Opportunities for future Financial Planners - Diversifying the profession - The value Financial Planning offers to clients - Niching to suit your interests - Financial Planning Academies - Alternative routes into the profession We also answered some great questions from the audience of aspiring professionals exploring their future career prospects. We thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to speak at Changefest, who knows, we might even see some of those in attendance on the podcast one day! Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| CRMs in Financial Planning with Wealth Dynamix and Plannr | 26 Oct 2023 | 01:13:02 | |
Something a little bit different on this week’s Financial Planner Life podcast as we talk about the past, present and future of fintech in the Financial Planning profession with the following special guests: Gareth Thompson, Co-Director at Plannr – “An open and modern alternative to the traditional back-office system” Robert Roome, Chief Strategy Officer at Wealth Dynamix – “Revolutionising the way you manage client relationships” We take a deep dive into the value these fintech solutions offer for Financial Planning firms to enhance their business. This isn’t just down to the enhancement of Adviser’s day-to-day duties, but the knock-on effect this can have on back-office teams, management and clients throughout the process. In recent years, there has been a substantial shift in the way Financial Planning firms utilise technology to streamline their processes in order to provide a better service for their clients. We discuss the reasons for this, why it hasn’t happened sooner, and the impact technology could have on the profession in future. We ask our panel of guests what they find are the key pain points for Financial Planning firms when it comes to revolutionising their technology and making changes to how they operate as a business. Of course, being in the careers space, we discuss the effect that technology has on attracting top talent to your business, and how, due to the solutions fintech provides, this could be a crucial factor in both attracting, onboarding and retaining Financial Planning professionals. It’s no secret that having your finger on the fintech pulse is vital for anyone looking to be successful in Financial Planning, so thank you Rob, Gareth and Robert for helping us do exactly that! Time Stamps 00:00:00 | Intro 00:06:40 | Wealth Dynamics CRM target customer 00:09:23 | Plannr's CRM target customer 00:10:22 | Firms pain points 00:12:38 | Client Lifecycle Management (CLM) 00:16:17 | A family office service 00:22:27 | The UK's adoption of new fintech 00:28:49 | Wealth Dynamix’s competition 00:30:20 | How Wealth Dynamix CRM makes and saves companies money 00:31:30 | Plannr's competitors 00:33:54 | Should Administrators & Paraplanners be worried or excited about this new tech 00:38:02 | Biggest frustrations about CRM's 00:46:13 | Talent attraction & market disruption 00:50:23 | Hybrid Financial Planning 01:01:44 | Fintech with marketing and social Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Growing Your Financial Planning Business Through Mental Fitness | 19 Oct 2023 | 01:12:11 | |
Does the business you work in have a detrimental effect on your mental health? This week we're joined by Mike Jones, Founder of Better Happy, the organisation that aims to elevate the wellbeing of businesses, with the mantra of; ‘Creating happy places to work so any business can lead their industry through high levels of employee wellbeing, productivity and retention.’ Mike is a firm believer in the idea that in the UK, we have a misplaced definition of success, and often sacrifice certain things in order to improve other aspects of our lives, without looking at the effect that has on the big picture that is our wellbeing as humans. We talk about the value of routine, accountability, reflection and how these can remedy the factors that negatively affect your mental fitness, from both an employee and business owner standpoint. We look at hierarchical structures within businesses, the part they play in the wellbeing of those within the business and common mistakes that often lead to negative outcomes. On the other hand, we evaluate some key ingredients that go into designing a business that is set up for success in the wellbeing department. Whether you’re an employee who feels their wellbeing isn’t what it should be, or a business owner looking to improve your company culture, this episode will set you on the path to positive change! Time Stamps 00:00:00 | Intro 00:00:36 | How are you out of 10? 00:06:51 | Ambition 00:19:50 | Do business owners prioritise success over their personal health? 00:28:00 | Conflict & Fear 00:33:09 | Do personal transformations = business transformation 00:38:12 | The mistake of promoting employees to management 00:45:26 | Businesses can change the UK's mental health 00:55:49 | Do things for purpose 01:02:52 | Charity and generosity
Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| How To Become A Paraplanner in Financial Planning. Financial Planner Life Academy Focus ( taken from YouTube video) | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:17:43 | |
Ready to embark on your paraplanner journey? We've got you covered with insights, advice, and valuable resources. 📚 Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| More Women are Needed in Wealth Management – Female Financial Planners Unite! | 12 Oct 2023 | 01:06:16 | |
Are you part of a group that is underrepresented in the Financial Planning profession? This week, we’re joined by Women’s Financial Wellbeing advocate and Chartered Fellow Financial Planner Samantha Secomb, Director of Women’s Wealth – Financial Planning and Advice for Women. Throughout her career in Financial Services, Samantha has identified some key behavioural differences that often come to light when talking to couples about their finances. We discuss her findings and how these were the seeds of research behind her current company, Women’s Wealth. Samantha has a burning desire to bring women to the forefront of Financial Planning, as she feels that as they are underrepresented in the industry, resulting in fewer women seeing success as a female Financial Planner as a viable and achievable option. She shares her thoughts on how as a profession, we can change this for the better. We look at empowerment of clients, making Financial Planning accessible to women who might not fit the typical client profile and how Women’s Wealth is changing this, including their focus around subscription models as a means of servicing clients. If you’re passionate about diversifying the Financial Planning profession, this episode is truly inspiring and positive outlook on the future of Financial Services, from both a careers, and client service perspective.
Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| A Guide To Financial Advice Administration, Financial Planner Life Academy Focus (from YouTube) | 10 Oct 2023 | 00:20:16 | |
Ever wondered how to become a financial planning administrator? Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Building a YouTube personal brand with Financial Planner George Agan | 05 Oct 2023 | 01:28:34 | |
Have you considered content creation as a Marketing tool for your Financial Planning business? Are you thinking of starting a podcast, YouTube channel, or social media marketing platform to bring in clients, spread your message and promote your services?
This week’s guest is George Agan, Chartered Financial Planner at Flying Colours, content creator and founder of the Principles Personal Finance YouTube channel, designed with the goal of providing “Personal finance and financial education from a Chartered Financial Planner”
We explore George’s career journey, from touring Europe as a musician, to working long hours in a call centre and eventually, embarking on his Financial Planning career journey. We talk career routes, the pros and cons to the various options available for those looking to get into Financial Planning and what to consider before doing so.
Then the really juicy stuff! George is an absolute wizard when it comes to creating content, engaging an audience effectively and the innerworkings of YouTube and how it works, all the way down to algorithms and the type of content that gets pushed to the masses.
We learned loads from George during this episode, so whether you’re navigating your career in the Financial Planning profession or are already established and looking to begin your content creation journey, this episode is overflowing with tips and tricks to get you off the ground!
Time Stamps
00:00:00 | Intro 00:02:48 | How George got into Financial Planning 00:11:26 | Routes through the profession 00:20:18 | Content creation 00:35:24 | Content creation as an employee 00:40:56 | Intellectual property rights with content creation 00:50:29 | Where is your content creation future going? 00:56:24 | Marketing strategy 00:59:06 | Sales process 01:12:23 | Targeted content creation 01:14:38 | Starting content creation in 2023 01:19:07 | YouTube SEO, is it the key? Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| The Financial Planner Life Academy | 28 Sep 2023 | 00:40:23 | |
Are you thinking of pursuing a career in Financial Planning, but don’t know where to start? Do you want a job as a Financial Adviser, Paraplanner, Administrator or Mortgage & Protection Adviser, but need the skills and qualifications to do so? Well, the search is over! We have a very special episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast for you this week as we officially launch the Financial Planner Life Academy with NextGen Planners! We’re joined by Adam Owen, Director and Head of Content at NextGen Planners, a community of forward-thinking, innovative Financial Planners who share ideas and best practice with their peers. At Financial Planner Life, with the help of NextGen Planners, we have created the first fully independent training and development platform for those looking to begin their career in Financial Planning! Find out more here: https://recruitukltd.co.uk/fpl-academy/ 00:00:00 | Intro 00:02:52 | Why we chose to train through the Cii 00:12:05 | Support 00:17:58 | Future training and development programmes 00:21:01 | The career path 00:26:57 | Who the academy is open to 00:32:32 | Mental health and wellness 00:38:55 | Conclusion Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Transitioning from Legal to Financial Planning | 21 Sep 2023 | 01:27:22 | |
This week’s guest is Ryan May, Financial Planner at Sound Financial Management. Ryan previously worked in the legal sector, but after working in conjunction with Financial Planners, he saw a career choice which really piqued his interest, and the rest is history!
A self-described “Intrapreneur”, Ryan talks us through what this means to him and the advantages of adopting this mindset. We look at what Ryan’s qualification journey looked like, including Ryan’s opinion on whether to focus on getting qualified, or securing a position in the industry. We look back on Ryan’s first year as a Financial Planner, why he felt his situation was a fortunate one, and what things to consider when starting from the ground up.
Finally, we look at what Ryan thinks the future of employment in Financial Planning looks like, including training and development, facilitating growth, management and more.
If you’re on the outside looking in, thinking of embarking on a career in Financial Planning, but wanting to do it the right way, this is the episode for you!
00:00:00 | Intro 00:01:50 | How Ryan got into Financial Planning 00:03:32 | Pathways & Entry Points 00:10:19 | “Intrapreneurialism” 00:19:55 | Gaining qualifications 00:30:31 | Making changes 00:38:43 | Becoming successful 00:47:14 | Acquisition 00:55:30 | The future of employment in Financial Planning 01:03:47 | The Strength of Values and Morals 01:09:28 | Self Development, Training & Community Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| AI Is a Fuel, Not a Tool: Redefining Financial Advice with Saturn - Rohit Vaisha | 06 Aug 2025 | 00:54:33 | |
What if your advisers could serve 20–30 more clients, save 45 minutes per meeting, and reduce suitability report time from 3 hours to 10 minutes - all without hiring more support staff? That’s what Saturn AI is already delivering for over 600 financial planning firms ( 1600 Advisers ), and in this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with co-founder Rohit Vaisha to explore how. But this isn’t another “AI will replace advisers” narrative. Saturn’s mission is to enhance human connection, not remove it, using AI as fuel to scale trust, proactivity, and personalised client care. In this episode, you’ll discover:
💡 Whether you're an adviser, paraplanner, compliance lead, or business owner, this is your blueprint for using AI to grow your firm without losing the human touch. 👉 Book a meeting with Saturn AI: here Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| See it, Believe it, Be it – A Financial Planners Guide to Achieving Career Goals | 14 Sep 2023 | 00:50:53 | |
This week, Financial Planner Life host Elena is joined by Bethany Lawton, Chartered Financial Planner at AV Trinity Ltd and Fellow of the Professional Finance Society. In this episode we focus heavily on personal development, perseverance in the face of adversity and achieving your career aspirations.
We look at Bethany’s career journey, from admin, to paraplanner being labelled as an admin, to finally being recognised for her capabilities within a firm that supported her continued progression.
In fact, progression is very much the name of the game in Bethany’s view, always looking for the next growth opportunity, qualification, or accolade in her career. Bethany talks us through her strong-willed mindset and the part it has played in pushing her forward.
Bethany has faced her fair share of adversity, entering the profession at a young age, being overlooked for promotion as a result of this, but this hasn’t stood a chance at holding her back!
If you’re an aspiring Financial Planning professional, or mid-career looking to excel beyond your limits, this episode will give you the inspiration you need to improve your mindset and achieve your career goals!
00:00:00 | Intro 00:00:57 | Beth's career journey 00:04:05 | The exam journey 00:13:00 | Mindset 00:16:05 | Facing adversity 00:22:50 | Navigating the interview process and employer conversations 00:27:33 | Positive personal mental attitude 00:29:11 | No university, no graduation 00:31:43 | Changing the age and gender narrative 00:36:12 | Dealing with bad apples 00:39:13 | Encouraging young people into the profession 00:46:06 | Paying it forward 00:47:28 | Routines and non-negotiables 00:50:14 | Outro Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Make Sales Great Again – The Forgotten Code in Financial Planning | 07 Sep 2023 | 01:17:43 | |
Attention all Financial Advisers, BDM’s, Sales Managers and Business Owners, this episode is for you! This week on the Financial Planner Life Podcast we are joined by Paul McCoubrey, Financial Planner and Director of Navigate IFA.
Paul has navigated (sorry) an extensive career in Financial Services and has always championed the importance of sales prowess for Financial Planners looking to grow a business, generate leads, and build lasting relationships.
We discuss how sales expertise has become a bit of a dying art in the world of Financial Advice, especially in a face-to-face capacity since the rise of Zoom and the ‘virtual coffee’. Paul takes us through some of the most successful sales strategies he’s developed over his career, including advice he gives to his team when selling in both a B2C and B2B capacity.
Paul dissects his own business, explaining the set-up he’s devised to maximise growth, whilst upskilling staff in areas they can benefit from, a win-win for both employee and business. We also talk social media, the new age of marketing and personal brand, and what that has given and taken away from the world of sales.
This episode is an inside look into the playbook of a seasoned sales pro, operating in the world of Financial Planning, and is not one to be missed! 00:00:00 | Intro 00:01:53 | How Paul got into financial planning 00:05:17 | Sales training 00:11:27 | What to do to get new enquiries and build relationships 00:24:07 | Commission vs ongoing fees from assets under management 00:27:22 | Mortgage to protection to financial planning route 00:33:11 | Shadow adviser 00:38:30 | Business development 00:50:03 | Social media 00:59:13 | B2B 01:08:00 | Advice for interviews for interviewees Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude when Building an IFA Practice | 31 Aug 2023 | 01:16:34 | |
Back once again with the Financial Planner Life podcast, with our guest this week, Freddie Winter AKA Nice Guy Money, Chartered Financial Planner and Director of Gratitude Financial Planning! 00:00:00 | Intro 00:02:44 | Freddie's career journey 00:04:31 | Getting a graduate role 00:06:39 | Books to read 00:09:52 | Experience and skills 00:12:47 | Freddie's career cont. 00:14:36 | Protection, Restricted & IFA 00:22:53 | Career Framework & Routes through the profession 00:30:02 | Going self employed 00:38:16 | Gratitude Financial Planning 00:40:39 | Social Media 00:44:31 | Partnering with others 00:47:44 | Mental, physical and financial wellbeing 00:55:53 | Consistency 00:57:28 | Idea generation 01:00:26 | Content creation Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Unleash Your Potential – Embracing Self Employment as a Financial Planner | 24 Aug 2023 | 01:11:42 | |
BREAKING FPL NEWS: Sam Oakes and Financial Planner Life have been nominated for the Talent Attraction Award at this year’s Verve Evolution Awards 2023!!! We’re very proud to be nominated so if you’re an FPL listener follow the link to cast your vote and support the Financial Planner Life podcast: Awards – Evolution by The Verve Group (weareverve.co.uk) Our guest this week is Adam Cockerham, Financial Adviser with William Dixon & Associates and Self-Employed career advocate. Adam has mentored Financial Planners entering the industry and was referred to Financial Planner Life after an individual he mentored, who jumped straight into Financial Services as a Self-Employed Adviser, reached out to us to sing his praises and recommended we talk to him about the journey of someone entering the industry. Adam talks us through his career journey, a traditional route of Admin to Paraplanning to Adviser, but we also discuss the variety of routes available to those looking to enter the industry today and the pros and cons associated with them. A key factor that can heavily influence the decision to go self-employed is the environment in which you do so, and although there are a lot of options, Adam talks us through some of these and explains why it can quite often be down to individual preference. Pair this with the value mentors can offer to up-and-coming advisers, and you’ve got a recipe for rapid and successful career growth. We cover aspects of the adviser journey such as mindset and mindfulness, the increased awareness of this within the profession and how being part of a company with a strong office culture can have a huge impact on your career development path. It’s not all sales calls and database entries, Adam offers some golden tips about what he does to stay productive in such a varied role as a Financial Planner. We delve into some of the key aspects that make a successful, well-rounded adviser, including; Business Development, Marketing and Niching down. This episode is ideal for anyone at a crossroads in their career journey, if you’re considering taking the Self-Employed route, watch and learn!
00:00:00 | Intro 00:01:44 | Adam's Career Journey 00:05:16 | The best entry routes 00:10:52 | Self Employment 00:21:58 | Great environments for self-employment 00:27:02 | Mindset 00:30:52 | Mindfulness 00:33:56 | Processes 00:38:08 | Approaching time consuming tasks 00:41:12 | Business development 00:51:44 | Marketing and content creation 00:59:39 | Niche 01:03:56 | Adams advice 01:09:56 | What advice would Adam give his past self Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Financial Planning Blueprint for Career Success with Warren Shute | 17 Aug 2023 | 01:03:08 | |
This week’s guest on the Financial Planner Life podcast is Warren Shute *deep breath* Chartered Wealth Manager, Money Coach, Author, Sunday Mirror Columnist and Co-Founder of Lexington Wealth management …That was a mouthful!
Warren takes us on a career journey and shares his proven system for creating a £1,000,000 turnover business! it’s such a good method that now he’s packaged it up into 36-month coaching program for Financial Planners.
Is it about time you took your business to the next level?
Here’s a breakdown of what the coaching course covers:
· Setting a business plan so you know what business you want to develop. · Establishing your ideal client profile so you know who to attract. · The systems and controls to manage your workflow efficiently. · Time and diary management so that you can maximise your time in the office. · How to build a service proposition so you attract raving fans. · How to conduct an empowering Discovery Meeting. · How to conduct an exciting and engaging Planning Meeting. · How to model the essential financial planning catastrophe scenarios. · How to deliver a comprehensive estate planning solution. · How to create an ideal investment proposition.
Find out more here - Be sure to mention Financial Planner Life!
00:02:12 | Warren's Career Journey 00:08:11 | The Positive Impact of Being a Financial Planner 00:11:10 | Money Mindset 00:15:20 | FinTech 00:18:43 | The Goal When Setting Up a Business 00:20:18 | Working Less 00:22:09 | Business Structure 00:28:03 | Is There a Blueprint for This Level of Success? 00:32:36 | Coaching 00:37:05 | Coaching Course Candidates 00:47:01 | Type of People on the Courses 00:48:36 | Systems & Structures 00:55:05 | Client Acquisition Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| From Restricted Adviser to Independent Financial Planner | 10 Aug 2023 | 01:07:45 | |
Lee Quinn, IFA at Alexander Grace. Lee’s career route began in typical fashion, starting as a Trainee-Paraplanner before being made redundant as a result of the 2008 Financial Crash, where he became interested in pursuing a career in Financial Advice. Through feedback from those around him, along with some self-analysis, Lee decided that personally he hadn’t had enough working life experience to step up into advice at this stage, and so focused his efforts toward developing his Financial Services knowledge and experience from within a Compliance role. Lee talks us through how his thinking matured over time, how different life experiences helped his client facing ability as an adviser, and how leaning into mentors and management helped aid his career development both in the lead up to becoming an adviser and beyond. 00:00:00 | Intro 00:02:03 | Lee's Career Journey 00:05:08 | Trainee Paraplanner to Compliance 00:13:26 | Life Experience/Skills 00:17:35 | Honest Feedback & Mentoring 00:28:34 | Working in Restricted 00:36:37 | Working in an IFA 00:41:54 | Finding the Right Role 00:55:44 | Career Progression 00:58:47 | IFA Learning Curve 01:04:41 | Client Niche Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Insights from the Experts - Sustainable Financial Planning | 03 Aug 2023 | 00:28:12 | |
This week on the Financial Planner Life Podcast we have a special feature episode on all things sustainability in the world of Financial Services! We revisit some expert guests, in conversation with our very own Charlie Scott, discussing the past, present and future of the topic of sustainability in the context of Financial Planning. Some of the episodes featured and topics discussed include: Ep.95 with Tom Jaffrey – Changes in attitude toward sustainability between generations. Ep.88 with Rebecca Kowalski – How client conversations have shifted toward climate change over time. Ep.118 with Jai Street – Having the right mindset within your business to have a positive impact. Ep.90 with Charlotte O’Leary – Investing for the future generation. Ep.120 with Seb Elwell – The climate crisis is everyone’s responsibility This episode is a great way to take a look at how the Financial Planning Profession is helping change the world for the better, and how the future of the industry will be heavily driven by sustainability. As our very own Charlie Scott once said: “If you want to make a change in this world, go to where the money is and start there. That way you’ll have maximum impact from the outset.” 00:01:43 | Tom Jaffrey 00:04:48 | Rebecca Kowalski 00:09:53 | Jai Street 00:15:10 | Charlotte O'Leary 00:21:08 | Seb Elwell 00:26:27 | Final thoughts Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Paraplanner to Financial Adviser – No need to wait! | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:51:40 | |
This week's guest on the Financial Planner Life podcast is Lauren Gifford from Butler Toll. This episode is a serious thought provoker for anyone navigating a career path within Financial Services and could give you the clarity you need to make decisions around your career progression plan!
Lauren has been in Financial Services since before the 2008 financial crash, where she was advising in Mortgages in a building society environment. Like many others in her situation, the financial crash caused Lauren to rethink her career prospects, which ultimately led to her obtaining a PA/Administrator role within a small Financial Planning firm whilst raising a family.
Lauren talks us through her entrance into the Financial Planning profession, what she learnt in the early stages of her career that helped her in the long run, as well as what advice she would give to someone who’s unsure of the rate they should be progressing at.
Qualifications, as we all know, are an essential part of a Financial Planning Professional’s career, and Lauren talks us through what qualifications she obtained, when she obtained them, and reflects on the value they added at that stage in her career.
We discuss the process that Lauren undertook when seeking a Trainee Financial Planner role, including how she set out clear expectations to prospective employers at interview stage, in order to outline what she was looking for in her career, an important conversation a lot of job seekers might be apprehensive to have!
Lauren is a huge advocate for the ‘believe in yourself’ mindset, this might just be the episode that gives you the motivation to rethink your career goals, explore your greatest ambitions, and pursue your dream position within the not-so-daunting world of Financial Planning! 00:00:00 | Intro 00:01:45 | How Lauren got into the profession 00:06:56 | Moving from Mortgage Advice into Financial Planning 00:10:22 | Experience in Administration before Financial Adviser role 00:11:23 | Qualifications 00:15:35 | Career Progression - Paraplanning 00:22:02 | Finding opportunities as a new financial planner 00:25:42 | Career Progression - Financial Planner 00:28:36 | Paraplanner vs Financial Planner Roles 00:34:46 | Advice looking back 00:35:45 | Women in Financial Planning 00:40:05 | Personal Development & Confidence 00:43:14 | Clients 00:48:01 | Year 1 as a Financial Adviser Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| POV of a Financial Planning Company Director | 20 Jul 2023 | 01:30:56 | |
This week on the Financial Planner Life podcast our guest is Karl Pemberton, Chartered Financial Planner and Director of Active Chartered Financial Planners.
Karl talks us through his career journey, starting in a banking environment, Karl worked his way up through the ranks, before taking the helm at his father’s Independent Financial Planning firm. Karl drew from his experience in a banking environment, putting a heavy focus on continued training, development and progression for each individual within the business, including himself.
Karl goes on to explain the importance of the systems and processes within his business, specifically around the topic of client file management and organisation. What runs parallel with this is the ability to reflect on this information in the form of KPI’s and historic company performance data. Karl outlines how he utilizes this to calibrate both his team’s performance, and the future focus of the business.
We briefly touch on the tech-elephant in the room, AI! Karl discusses his thoughts on the benefits and risks involved with the use of Artificial Intelligence in Financial Planning, and what his plan is for incorporating AI into his business with a cautious and calculated approach.
Now, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows at the top! Karl talks us through some of the pain points of running a business, from rejection handling, networking to continued personal and professional development. He gives tips on staff retention, generating leads and referrals and attracting talent, three crucial elements for successful business growth and employee satisfaction.
If you’re trying to better understand the thought processes of the Director of a Financial Planning firm, or if you’re running a business of any kind, this episode is jam-packed with insightful nuggets of wisdom. Enjoy! 00:00:00 | Intro 00:03:54 | About Karl 00:09:30 | How Karl got to his position 00:11:41 | Training and development 00:21:05 | Systems and processes 00:26:05 | Data Points 00:31:25 | AI 00:35:04 | Client acquisition 00:38:21 | Client generation advice 00:42:31 | Difficulty of growing a business 00:48:22 | Staff retention 01:01:35 | Board of directors 01:11:30 | Impacts of being a business owner on mental health 01:18:55 | Chair of institute of directors 01:26:20 | The future of Karl's business Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Build Better Relationships in Financial Planning | 13 Jul 2023 | 00:43:27 | |
Welcome back! This week on the Financial Planner Life podcast, host Elena Stephenson speaks with Laura Ripley, Chartered Financial Planner at BRI Wealth Management, and expert in client rapport building.
Laura has taken some leaps of faith in her career, being adept in a Paraplanner role, before being encouraged by her employer at the time to step into an Adviser role. This step, along with others, cemented the importance of mentorship for Laura, and instilled the benefit of having a strong support network around you to aid your progression.
One of Laura’s main passions within her role as a Financial Adviser is developing strong relationships with her clients. We discuss how understanding your clients’ needs and taking time to get to know them on a personal level can help massively when working with them.
Laura is part of an industry minority in that she is a female Financial Planner. We take a look into diversity within the Financial Planning profession, and how although there has been progress around diversification in recent years, more can and should be done.
Coming from a standpoint of moving from a technical Paraplanner role into a client facing Adviser position, Laura knows a thing or two (hundred) about soft skills development and gives some key tips for those looking to develop in this area, explaining how leaning on those around you can help accelerate this.
This week’s episode is a handy playbook for anyone aspiring to be a great Financial Planner with long-lasting relationships with their clients, built on trust and understanding!
Time Stamps 00:00:00 | Intro 00:01:23 | About Laura's career 00:03:39 | Talking mental hurdles to take the next step 00:05:03 | Employer support and encouragement 00:07:11 | Building client relationships 00:08:38 | Tailoring approaches & building trust 00:16:42 | How to encourage more women into the profession 00:17:49 | Important skills to have 00:23:00 | Passion for the career 00:24:15 | Soft skills & education 00:28:12 | Meeting clients 00:33:15 | How to personalise your approach to clients 00:39:09 | 3 most important soft skills
Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| I never thought someone like me could be a financial planner! | 29 Jul 2025 | 00:51:04 | |
Thinking 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, and how mentorship from Rob Gardner helped her see the potential she hadn’t yet recognised in herself. If you're considering becoming a financial planner or making a career change, this is the episode for you. We cover:
👉 Interested in finding out more about the St. James’s Place Academy? Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Tools for Quick Success When Running Your Financial Planning Business | 06 Jul 2023 | 01:14:21 | |
This week on the Financial Planner Life Podcast we speak with Tom Ham, Founder and Director of Calton Wealth Management, a Financial Planning firm that has experienced exponential growth in recent times.
For Tom, variety is the spice of life when it comes to a career in Financial Planning, navigating a varied journey from within multiple firms, from trainee, to self-employed, to working within a hybrid Law and Financial Planning business before eventually setting up his own business based around his core values as an Adviser.
Having a varied career experience puts Tom in the advantageous position of having seen many Financial Planning businesses with varied set-ups and ways of working. He offers his thoughts on what set-ups can work well for Advisers at different stages in their career, and how in his business, he’s mindful of what an Adviser who’s looking to join his firm is trying to achieve, and how positive outcomes for client, adviser and business are of equal importance.
Tom shares his thoughts on niching down when taking on clients as a Financial Planner, the benefits and drawback associated with this, and some important points to consider when deciding whether to refine your niche in the market.
We also explore the role of Non-Executive Directors and what they can bring to a business, discussing how forming a collaboration of experts within a range of specialist areas can take your business from small fry to big fish!
Whether you’re just starting your Financial Planning career, going through a transition, or setting up your own business, there’s something for everyone in this episode!
00:03:32 | Quickest way to build a relationship 00:05:11 | Seeking out clients 00:08:41 | Key person of influence 00:15:04 | How Tom got into Financial Planning 00:31:33 | The divide between the legal team and financial planners 00:37:17 | Making a difference 00:42:34 | Tom's secret sauce to success 00:48:10 | Creating a succession plan 00:57:17 | Non-Exec Directors 01:06:22 | One area of the business that needs improvement Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Chartered Financial Planner & Company Director at 24 | 28 Jun 2023 | 01:15:34 | |
We have a very exciting episode for your eyes and ears this week on the Financial Planner Life Podcast. This week’s guest is James Rivers, Finance Degree Graduate, Chartered Financial Planner and Company Director at Lane Financial Management, all at the very young age of 24 years old! This impressive individual is a prime example of what can be achieved with the right guidance, determination, and access to opportunity for the next generation of Financial Planners.
James talks us through what went in to laying the foundations for his successful career, starting at Uni, alongside taking his Level 4 Diploma in Financial Advice, before joining a firm as a Financial Analyst on a placement program to build confidence and experience. We also discuss what, if anything, James would do differently if carrying out this journey again.
James talks to us about what drives him in his career, where his values are within his work as a Financial Planner and what drives his passion for servicing clients. We talk about other skills, aside from technical knowledge, that go a long way toward creating a great Financial Adviser that might not be obviously apparent at first glance. James also offers his insight into why many Financial Planning Professionals haven’t got access to the same rate of progression as him, what barriers are in place for employees trying to climb the corporate ladder, and what aspiring Financial Planners can do to get over this hurdle.
On a personal Level, James, like all of us, has experienced doubts, imposter syndrome, and uncertainty around his aspirations and career goals. We look into the steps James took when facing these feelings, and how he overcame personal roadblocks that could have otherwise held him back.
If you’re in position where you feel stuck in your career and are wondering how to move things forward, or if you’re just setting out on your Financial Planning Career journey, this episode provides a boat load of useful insights that can help get your future career path clearly laid out! Go get ‘em!
00:04:35 | How James got into Financial Planning 00:10:40 | How James studied for his exams whilst in placement 00:12:10 | How James studied for RO exams 00:20:40 | University or Diploma? 00:32:53 | Experience working in placement at a financial planning firm 00:44:30 | The benefit of gaining experience in the placement 00:54:15 | Becoming a chartered adviser at a young age 00:56:27 | Imposter syndrome 01:02:50 | Aspirations 01:08:48 | What James would do to push his business forward Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Building Career Confidence in Financial Planning | 22 Jun 2023 | 01:06:43 | |
Welcome back to another episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast and this week’s guest is Jamie Barnes from Pembroke Financial Services. An Adviser for just under a year, we reflect on Jamie’s career to date, why he made the decisions he did at different stages, and what he would have done differently if starting again. We discuss in depth what is required on a personal and professional level, in order to maximise your progression in your Financial Services Career.
Jamie spent around 10 years as a Paraplanner, a role that he was very comfortable doing, but always had aspirations of stepping into advice. Having an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, Jamie still carries that same mindset with him today, with aspirations of continuously progressing his career. Unfortunately, experiencing age discrimination as a young adviser, not wanting to rattle the cage of his bosses, and a lack of personal confidence all played a big part in hindering his rate of progression.
Jamie offers his thoughts on transferable skillset’s, transitioning between roles within a Financial Planning business, and how self-belief and confidence plays a big part in your rate of progression. We also look into how now is the time for firms to invest in bringing new talent into Financial Planning, and what can be done to further encourage second careerists and graduates to enter into the industry.
We dive into how your LinkedIn profile is your shop window in Financial Planning, even as an individual navigating your career journey, and how showcasing your skills, experience and connections can be used as a marketing tool.
This episode truly is a toolkit for success when it comes to moving your career in the right direction, so give it a listen and take the first steps toward securing your dream job! Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| New Business Opportunities In Corporate Financial Advice | 14 Jun 2023 | 01:14:30 | |
This week we have an exceptional guest on the Financial Planner Life podcast; Oliver McDonald is a Financial Planner and Co-Founder/Director of Engage Wealth Management, experts in helping corporations take a deeper look at their finances, employee benefits packages and the future of their company.
Oliver walks us step-by-step through his journey from starting out in personal banking, to moving across to Financial Advice, explaining the steps he took, what worked and what didn’t, and the decisions he faced when navigating his career progression journey.
We also look at which career routes are best suited to those from non-financial services backgrounds, exploring the different options available and what key points to consider when embarking on this journey.
Oliver is a self-built, hard worker who’s no stranger to business development, and he outlines for us the differences in how he approaches corporate clients, and individuals when offering his services and picking up new business.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to accelerate their career progression, market their services and learn the ropes of business development within Financial Planning! We hope you find it as valuable as we did!
00:00:00 | Intro 00:01:11 | Oliver's career journey 00:05:44 | Finding opportunities 00:10:05 | Administrator/Paraplanner route or Trainee adviser route? 00:12:51 | Trainee adviser experience or sales experience? 00:15:08 | How to develop whilst in the paraplanner role 00:18:06 | Employed vs self-employed academy route? 00:28:36 | Client development strategy in the early stages 00:32:07 | Lead generation 00:35:24 | Creating content 00:40:07 | How to get into the corporate world 00:48:01 | The sales and marketing strategy to get into the corporate world 00:55:28 | Internal referrals, who to target 00:59:57 | The inbound business tipping point 01:04:01 | How to get companies interested in partnering Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Inclusivity and Diversity in Financial Planning | 08 Jun 2023 | 00:21:56 | |
Following the overwhelmingly positive response we had from our feature episode last week on the Financial Planner Life podcast, we have decided to compile another special feature episode! This week’s topic; Inclusivity and Diversity!
Financial Planning in the UK has always held connotations of old white men in suits, a stereotype that is being broken more and more as the industry progresses. Now more than ever, Financial Planning professionals recognise the importance of diversity in their workplace, and how being inclusive in their practice only opens doors for a better work environment.
This episode features clips from past guests; Lucy Byrom, Hayley Rabbets, Nicola Crosbie, Jai Street & Alice Lording, all Financial Planning professionals with lived experiences around inclusivity and diversity in their working or personal lives. It’s another episode packed full of insights, knowledge and top-tips when it comes to promoting inclusivity and diversity in Financial Planning, a must have for Financial Planners in the modern world! Enjoy!! 00:00:00 | Intro 00:00:33 | Lucy Byrom 00:02:25 | Hayley Rabbett 00:07:33 | Nicola Crosby 00:12:39 | Jai Street 00:17:50 | Alice Lording 00:21:42 | Outro Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| FPL Top Tips - Financial Planning Gurus on Content Creation, Marketing & Personal Brand | 01 Jun 2023 | 00:16:22 | |
This week we have a very special feature on the Financial Planner Life podcast, as we’re looking back at some of the best clips around marketing, brand development and content creation.
We draw on the wisdom of previous guests Pete Matthew, Nicola McKenzie, Sam Tate, Matt Cross & Michelle Wilson-Stimson, in this compilation of top-tips, interesting perspectives and advice for those building a brand and business in Financial Planning.
Understanding how to market yourself is imperative for any Financial Planning professional trying to expand their network and build their business. We hope you learn as much as we did from these amazing guests!
00:00:31 | Pete Matthew 00:03:29 | Nicola McKenzie 00:06:39 | Sam Tate 00:08:16 | Matt Cross 00:12:59 | Michelle Wilson Stimpson 00:16:07 | Outro Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Financial Planning Career Testimonial with Rich Weatherburn | 25 May 2023 | 00:08:54 | |
This week we have something a little different for you here at Financial Planner Life, demonstrating the power of developing a strong industry network! As you may know, we are powered by Financial Services Recruitment Specialists Recruit UK, experts in talent resourcing within the Financial Planning Profession. Recruitment often gets a bad rap, but in reality, it genuinely changes people’s lives.
Take Richard for example: Richard was in a tough place. Self-employed and building/running his own firm was no longer enjoyable. He had built AUM, had no problem winning clients, loved the business development aspects of his work, but by his own admission made some bad hiring decisions, didn’t enjoy the day-to-day runnings, and felt under pressure to grow the business. It was costing him £££s and causing him stress.
Richard wanted out of self-employment, but under his terms…. He wanted to: Work employed for an IFA Sell his client bank to that IFA Continue servicing those clients and focusing on new business. Surround himself with experts who could support his professional growth and allow him to focus on what he’s good at. Maintain his flexible working set-up, as a new baby was on the way.
Everything Richard wanted, Recruit UK delivered on! Richard was marketed to Recruit UK and Financial Planner Life’s trusted clients, remaining clear on Richard’s objectives throughout. We then screened and selected 4 suitable options from over 30 requests for interview and managed the process from start to finish.
Thank you, Richard, for trusting us and the team at Recruit UK, we are truly grateful that we got the chance to improve your personal and professional Financial Planning career journey.
If you’re a Financial Planning Professional looking to take the next steps in your career, reach out to Recruit UK and speak with your regionalised consultant here: https://recruitukltd.co.uk/job-consultation/ Below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| The Power of Podcasting and YouTube with Pete Matthew | 18 May 2023 | 01:29:25 | |
Another fresh episode of The Financial Planner Life Podcast for your eyes and ears and this week’s guest is Pete Matthews Chartered Financial Planner, co-owner and CEO of Jacksons Wealth and founder of the Meaningful Money YouTube channel, which provides financial coaching on money management, investing and saving strategies.
Pete shares his career journey with us from making a complete U-turn from his previous career in Hospitality Management, to relocating and joining a local firm, through to acquiring clients from retiring advisers.
Pete is also an originator in the world of Financial Planning content creation, starting and running his YouTube and podcast ‘meaningful Money’ channel since 2010, and still going strong today with over 4.5 million downloads! He offers some serious wisdom when it comes to content creation, including but not limited to:
- What goes into making enticing content for your audience? - Building a business with purpose - Selecting topics of discussion to boost engagement. - Balancing content creation and your day-to-day workload - The importance of consistency and continued engagement Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Financial Planning for Communities, Not Corporates | 11 May 2023 | 00:57:38 | |
Yet another insightful episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast and this time around we have Stuart Jackson, Founder and Financial Adviser at Cheetham Jackson, a longstanding Financial Planning firm with a unique outlook on what success means with regard to client outcomes. Stuart outlines why within his business, having billions of assets under management and high net worth corporate clients ranks below developing stronger connections with and giving back to the local communities within which a business operates. We also dive into Stuart’s thoughts on historically, what's been going wrong with the Financial Planning business model and how the clients that should be the most important to a local business, are often overlooked.
This is a prime example of an organisation that is truly committed to going against the grain and providing the best outcome for those individuals who don’t fit within the typical client profile for Financial Planning! Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Building a Personal Brand from the Ground Up | 04 May 2023 | 01:05:13 | |
This week, we’re joined by Nicola McKenzie, Founder of Dunham McCarthy a group of companies that offer legal, mortgage, and protection advice. Nicola takes us on a journey from when she first started her business as a twenty-something to now, a successful and thriving businesswoman. We explore her passion for media and content creation, employee development, and why money is no longer the driving force behind her success and career development. - Taking the leap of starting a business - How your values and goals change as your business grows - The importance of developing a personal brand as a professional - Overcoming fear of failure in order to succeed - Different approaches you can take to marketing – outsourced and organic - Marketing tips to maximize your chances of being seen and being heard - Nicola shares her new software which will help revolutionise will writing This episode is full of valuable insight for any professionals trying to build a successful brand image and grow a business, from those starting their careers and making strong first impressions, all the way up to company owners taking their businesses to the next level. We hope you enjoy the episode! 00:01:58 | What do you do? 00:03:05 | The benefit of a team with diverse skillsets 00:04:02 | STEP qualified 00:04:44 | Before self-employment 00:08:31 | What was the catalyst that made you go self-employed? 00:10:11 | Unhealthy relationships 00:13:44 | Different types of goals when running a business 00:17:41 | How Nicola shifted her purpose 00:23:33 | The realities of running a business 00:29:22 | The exciting bits of running a business 00:34:57 | How to be a successful mortgage adviser 00:41:20 | Marketing & Social Media 00:42:46 | How to get started on social media 00:48:42 | Personal & Business Growth 01:04:14 | Outro Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Restricted or IFA? What is best for my Financial Planning Career - with Wayne Griffiths from One Financial Solutions. | 24 Jul 2025 | 00:52:34 | |
Wayne 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: what’s better, restricted or IFA? Wayne shares his honest views and explains why the best advice always comes down to trust and intention—not just labels. Wayne also opens up about his journey from financial planner to business leader, his passion for life cover and protection advice, and how his firm supports advisers at every stage of their journey - whether you're starting out, looking to grow, or transitioning your career. If you're an IFA or employed financial planner considering your next step, this episode is packed with insights about control, earnings, and working within a values-driven firm. In this episode:
Interested in joining One Financial Solutions? Click here or reach out to Wayne directly. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Invest in Yourself – Invest in Your Business | 27 Apr 2023 | 00:41:49 | |
Today’s guest on the Financial Planner Life Podcast is 2Plan’s Ian Dempsey, an experienced Financial Adviser with a keen interest in personal development and branding in the world of Financial Planning. We talk about his career journey, difficult decisions he faced at crucial stages in his career as an Adviser, and how he invested in his personal development and brand image in order to excel his business.
We cover a variety of topics including: · Transitioning from restricted to independent · The purpose of a CPD (Continued Personal Development) · The benefits of building a strong LinkedIn presence · Becoming an AR
Ian does a great job of exploring how his ability to self-reflect and utilise the support of professionals in areas outside of Financial Services has helped him build a successful brand and prospect new business! We hope you enjoy this great episode with a tonne of valuable insight! 00:01:04 | Ian's career journey 00:02:27 | How Ian managed to make his role into a passion 00:06:01 | Was it a big change going from restricted to independent? 00:11:48 | What is CPD 00:13:26 | Ian's personal development journey 00:17:17 | Choosing personal development over qualifications 00:20:13 | Where to start with personal development 00:23:31 | What made Ian start viewing LinkedIn more seriously 00:26:48 | Social media strategies on LinkedIn 00:31:09 | Why video is better than text 00:36:54 | The journey to AR 00:39:34 | Ian's nuggets of wisdom Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| The Secret to Successful Management in Financial Planning | 20 Apr 2023 | 00:58:58 | |
On this week’s episode we have Alice Lording, Partner and Head of Wealth operations at Saltus, presented by Elena Stephenson. Alice is an award nominated manager in the Financial Planning World and has an abundance of insight into how to effectively manage people, improve productivity and form better relationships with your team. In this episode we discuss Alice’s career journey, why she aligned well with managing a team, as well as many of the aspects that go into becoming a strong manager including:
Alice also covers a crucial point on how, as an employee, to approach your senior for a conversation around growth opportunities and personal development! Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Building Confidence in Financial Advice | 13 Apr 2023 | 00:53:05 | |
Today's guest on the Financial Planner Life podcast Helen Thomas, Chartered Financial Planner with a wealth of industry experience. We talk about her career journey to date, different options available for those seeking a career in Financial Advice and what’s in store for the next generation of Financial Planners!
We cover many subjects · The variety of options available for starting a career in financial planning · Helen’s thoughts on independent vs restricted financial advice · Transitioning from Paraplanner to Financial Adviser · Educating the next generation on the importance of financial planning · Confidence building tips for those who aren’t naturally extroverted
Helen has a really positive outlook on the industry and the way the next generation thinks about their money. A breath of fresh air to what is often portrayed in the media, this is a great episode for both prospective financial planning professionals and those with an established career in the industry.
Hope you enjoy it. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Mindful Wealth | 06 Apr 2023 | 00:52:07 | |
We have Charlie back hosting this week episode talking with Jai Street from Mindful Wealth. Jai is a financial adviser who set up his own business on the foundations of his intrinsic values.
We talk to Jai about the process and why he set up Mindful Wealth. He gives advice on how a financial adviser can start a business built from the ground up on strong values.
Jai also goes in depth on the topic of mental health and opens up about having ADHD, the challenges he’s faced, but also the benefits he’s found from having it. We also talk about how having ADHD can affect personal finances, Jai gives fantastic advice on how to manage finances when you have ADHD.
Enjoy! Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| The New World Order – Affordable Financial Planning for All | 30 Mar 2023 | 00:56:53 | |
Today's guest on the Financial Planner Life podcast is Sam Tate from New World Financial Group. We talk about their brand-new business, why they set up The New World Group, all about the fees, subscription models and giving free advice to those that don't fit the typical financial planning mould.
We cover many subjects · The importance of longevity · Does retirement need to be reframed? · Physical and metal wellness, and building good habits · How working with social media influencers can lead to great growth
We also dive into technology. Specifically, how The New World Financial Group have implemented it into their business and future growth plans, to improve the time it takes to deliver good quality financial advice to those that usually don't fit the typical advice model.
It's a fantastic episode about the future of financial planning.
Hope you enjoy it. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| B Corp: Turning Your Financial Planning Business Into a Force for Good | 23 Mar 2023 | 00:55:50 | |
This week we have Charlie sitting down with Seb Elwell from Switchfoot Wealth. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| How We Can Better Serve The LGBTQ+ Community | 16 Mar 2023 | 01:11:55 | |
This week's guest is Chartered Financial Planner Nicola Crosbie from Moran Wealth Management. We talk about her career journey from starting out in administration to now running her own financial planning practice. She's also done a Masters in Wealth Management and she answers the question on whether it’s worth it or not.
We dive deep into her business. Discussing how she used to neglect marketing but now she's a firm believer that marketing helps her generate new clients.
We talk about diversity within the financial planning profession, but also diversity when it comes to clients. We talk about the LGBTQ+ community and do transgender gender need different services when it comes to financial planning. Nicola opens up and shares some very personal experiences that are a fantastic eye opener to the struggles people in the trans community face. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Finding your niche within Paraplanning | 09 Mar 2023 | 01:05:41 | |
Our guest this week chatting with Sam is Michelle Wilson-Stimson from eParaplan Connect. Michelle started out her career working as a door knocker for an American financial advice business, eventually moved into a paraplanning and administrative role and now she runs her own outsource paraplanning business!
Michelle breaks down what she thinks is the correct structure for a career framework in paraplanning. And rest assured there are more positions than you think. It's a real eye opener.
We also speak about how wellbeing is intertwined into her career framework to ensure that those that go on that career journey aren't put off by the fact that they haven't passed any qualifications or if their strength lies in research and building relationships. She covers absolutely everything.
It’s a fantastic episode and you’re going to really enjoy this one. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Building the Foundations for Success. Client Relationships and Business Development | 02 Mar 2023 | 01:13:55 | |
Today we talk with Financial Planner Matt Cross. Matt has been in the profession for over 8 years and started his journey at St James’s Place head office. He then moved on to join a partner practice on a self-employed basis before eventually taking the leap and setting up his own partner practice.
Matt is a young Financial Adviser, and it was fantastic to get his view on the profession. We talk about his first few years as an adviser and he is very honest about his struggles, especially about client acquisition and how tough he found it. We chat about the different types of clients he’s had, how he builds long lasting relationships, the clients he loves to work with and the ones who are not the best fit for his business!
Also, keep listening to the end because Sam gives an amazing tip!
We hope you enjoy this episode today. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Transitioning From Employed to Self-employed IFA Within the Same Company | 23 Feb 2023 | 01:02:13 | |
This week we talk to self-employed financial adviser, Louise Fitzgerald. Louise started her journey as an administrator, worked her way up through trainee adviser role and to employed financial adviser before leaping into a self-employed adviser role. All within the same firm!
Louise gives us a very honest look into her career. Explaining why she took the path she chose and what that journey looked like for her. We talk about the highs, the lows and all the lessons learned.
There is some amazing advice within this episode. Especially for trainee’s and anyone fresh out of school or university looking for a career. You’ll learn
· What you should be doing to give you an advantage · How you can impress somebody · Interview techniques · Social media presence and much, much more
We hope you enjoy it! Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Self-Employed Chartered Financial Planner with £10M AUM, By 26 - Lawrence Bearman from Westminster Wealth Management | 15 Jul 2025 | 00:48:05 | |
From 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-employment. We unpack:
Lawrence’s story is packed with actionable insight for both aspiring advisers and experienced professionals ready to take control of their financial planning careers. https://linktr.ee/wwmrecruitment Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Let’s Talk About Menopause and Mental Health | 16 Feb 2023 | 00:47:09 | |
*Trigger warning of discussions on suicide*
Charlie is back on the podcast, her first episode of 2023, and coming in strong, talking with Gillian Wilson about mental health and menopause in the professional environment. You lovely listeners know that here at Financial Planner Life we are not afraid of taboo subjects or having conversations about traditionally “uncomfortable” subjects. And this episode is testament to that.
Gillian Wilson is a remote working Paraplanner who first entered the world of financial services in 1990. She undertook a variety of roles before taking a break to study and pursue a passion for performing arts.
Gillian is a big advocate on the importance of ensuring good mental health in the workplace and a sustainable manner of working. Be that remotely or in office. She shares with us the difficulties the impact of a suicide can have. She also gives us tips on how to maintain a good level of mental health and how to “re-zen” during stressful periods.
This is an emotional rollercoaster episode. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Setting up a Directly Authorised Financial Planning Firm From Scratch! | 09 Feb 2023 | 01:12:01 | |
Joining us today on the Financial Planner Life podcast is Alexandra Vind, Director of Chapter House Wealth Management, and a Chartered Financial Planner Alexandra has worked within the profession for an impressive 18 years, predominantly as a Paraplanner! So naturally we talk about her career, why she moved around from company to company, what she learned along the way and why she now cannot work for anybody else. We talk about how she set up her Financial Planning firm with her husband and why she went down the route of becoming directly authorised rather than the network route. This episode is a raw and incredibly honest look at what it takes to set up a directly authorised firm. Absolutely. Fantastic conversation with Alexandra today. We hope you enjoy this episode. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||
| Networking for Financial Planners with Octo Members Founder Lee Robertson | 02 Feb 2023 | 01:12:28 | |
Welcome back! For the first podcast of 2023 (apologies for the delay) Sam is sitting down with Lee Robertson, the founder of Octo Members. Octo Members is a networking community for those that work within the financial planning profession and the wider financial services. Whether or not you're an administrator, paraplanner, financial adviser, work in investments, or marketing, Octo Members creates a community where you can go and debate and to talk about and to learn more about the profession that you are in.
In this episode we go into detail about why Lee set up Octo Members and his career journey in the financial planning profession. With over 18 successful years of experience in the profession you can be sure that Lee has some very helpful tips around his passion for networking.
We also discuss · The power of networking · How online personas can impact business · The advantages the newer generation of Financial Advisers have now And much more.
We hope you enjoy the episode Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message. | |||