Financial Planner Life Podcast

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes speaks with Aleem Nijabat , a self-employed financial planner who built £12 million in AUM without a client bank, without leads, and without a background in finance. Aleem started during lockdown, working alone from his bedroom. He had just qualified, had no clients, and relied entirely on cold outreach through LinkedIn to get starte...

In this episode of Financial Planner Life , Sam Oakes is joined by certified money coach Dennis Harhalakis to explore the powerful emotional side of money - and why financial planners can't afford to ignore it. Dennis shares how our earliest money experiences shape the way we think, feel, and act around money as adults. Whether it’s shame, fear, scarcity, or self-worth, these emotional driver...

In this episode, Sam Oakes is joined by John O’Driscoll and Wenyu Bai from St. James’s Place to explore how AI and technology are being developed to support the future of financial planning. Discover how SJP’s 2030 vision is being built around: Advice Assistant : An AI-enabled tool already in production that reduces the time to produce advice packs from hours to minutes Chat SJP : An internal GPT-...

Roger Brosch | 20 Years of Foster Denovo, 47% Growth, and the Launch of Foster Denovo Talks In this episode of Financial Planner Life , we welcome back Roger Brosch , CEO of Foster Denovo , to reflect on a standout year for the business. 47% revenue growth 200+ new hires 7 acquisitions A thriving culture that’s stronger than ever Roger shares what’s driven Foster Denovo’s success over the last 12...

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, host Sam Oakes sits down with Jay Dhaliwal , Chartered Financial Planner at Chase de Vere , to talk about her inspiring career journey. Jay shares how facing rejection twice for financial planner roles early in her career didn’t stop her - it fueled her . Already working as a paraplanner, she used the setbacks as motivation to deepen her techn...

How a Former Recruiter Built a £266M Financial Planning Business - Vikash’s Journey from BD to Chartered Adviser In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes is joined by Chartered Financial Planner Vikash , who shares how he made the bold move from a successful recruitment career into the world of financial advice. Vikash’s story is one of intentional reinvention. After buildi...

This week on the Financial Planner Life podcast, I sat down with Samantha Russell , one of the most respected voices in financial adviser marketing in the US. She shared insight after insight. Here’s one that really stuck with me: “Even if someone is referred to you, they’re still going to Google you. What they find next decides whether they pick up the phone – or move on.” That’s the shift. Refer...

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Chris Ball sits down with Paul Jackson, Global Head of Asset Allocation Research at Invesco, to explore the career pivots, market cycles, and investment principles that shaped his journey from working-class beginnings to global leadership. Paul shares his honest reflections on a non-linear career across firms like Morgan Stanley, Société Génér...

This week on The Financial Planner Life Podcast , we’re celebrating Neurodiversity Celebration Week with an inspiring conversation featuring Dan Buckland , a financial planner who has ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia. Dan’s story is one of self-doubt, resilience, and transformation . Growing up, he was told by teachers he’d “never amount to anything.” Like many neurodivergent individuals, the tradi...

Hiring Missionaries, Not Mercenaries with Guy Skinner In this episode of Financial Planner Life , we welcome back Guy Skinner , founder of Citygate Financial Planning , to discuss what it really takes to build a sustainable, mission-driven financial planning firm. Key Takeaways: 🔹 Why ‘Missionaries, Not Mercenaries’ Is the Hiring Philosophy That Works Guy shares why he prioritises hiring people w...

🚀 How Do We Attract and Develop the Next Generation of Financial Planners? In this episode of Financial Planner Life , I sit down with Carla Brown , President of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) and Founder & CEO of Oakmere Wealth Management , to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities in financial planning today. 🎯 We cover: ✅ The PFS Professional Map – A clear framework for car...

Chris Ball is back on the Financial Planner Life Podcast , and this time, we’re diving deep into Hoxton Wealth’s explosive growth in 2024 and what’s coming in 2025. From smashing revenue and AUM targets to a complete brand transformation, Hoxton Wealth has gone from industry underdog to one of the most disruptive firms in financial planning . But not everyone is a fan… Some call Chris a toxic disr...

🔥 From Burnout to Breakthrough: How Performance Coaching Transforms Careers 🔥 In this episode of The Financial Planner Life Podcast, I sit down with Tony Fields, a former chartered financial planner turned performance coach, to discuss how high achievers in financial planning—and beyond—can break free from burnout, find clarity, and reach their full potential. 💡 We cover: ✅ Why performance coa...

Bitcoin just smashed past $100K —but is it just another speculative bubble, or is it cementing its place as the digital gold of the future? To get real answers, I sat down with Lisa Tyshchenko, Alternative Investment Specialist , while she was in Dubai . Lisa is a globally connected expert in digital assets , regularly working with family offices, private banks, and institutional investors to navi...

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, we sit down with Joanna Butler, Director of Client Operations at Foster Denovo. Joanna’s 18-year career within the company is a testament to the firm’s culture of innovation, career development, and commitment to diversity. We explore Joanna’s journey from marketing to operations, how Foster Denovo supports financial planners through a robust...

Would you trust a financial planner under 30? There’s a big debate in financial planning: Does age matter?  Some say younger advisors lack life experience —that they can’t guide clients through retirement, divorce, or legacy planning. Others argue that young planners bring fresh perspectives, long-term commitment, and up-to-date knowledge. After sitting down with Karl and Harry —a father-son duo f...

This week on the Financial Planner Life Podcast , Chris Ball hosts a long-form, unedited conversation with Neil Woodford—one of the most talked-about figures in UK financial services. Neil’s career has been one of immense ambition, remarkable success, and intense scrutiny. From humble beginnings sleeping on his brother’s floor to managing billions of pounds at Invesco Perpetual, Neil’s story takes...

In this inspiring episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, host Sam Oakes sits down with Chartered Financial Planner Rohit Rohela, affectionately known as The Tax Terminator and Architect of Financial Freedom . Rohit shares the incredible journey of building his financial planning business, Finsbridge, and the pivotal role that niching down has played in his success. As a long-time listener...

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, we are joined by Charlotte Walter, an award-winning chartered financial planner and founder of Avail Financial Planning a partner practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management based in Woburn near Milton Keynes. Charlotte shares her inspiring journey from mortgage advising to running her successful financial planning practice. This episode d...

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast , we’re joined by Marnel Stafford, a financial planner at Foster Denovo, who shares her remarkable story of pivoting into the profession at 50 and making waves in her first year. 💬 "Starting at 50 might seem late to some, but for me, it was the perfect time. My life experience became my greatest strength." Marnel talks candidly about...

Laura North, a former college lecturer with 16 years of experience, shares her incredible journey of moving from the classroom to becoming a successful financial planner. Discover how she navigated this life-altering transition, leveraging her teaching skills in a whole new way. Laura's story is a beacon of inspiration for anyone contemplating a career switch, revealing the intricacies of res...

"Imagine starting over in a new country, grappling with a new language, and breaking into a competitive industry. This is Cholpan Djanuzakova's reality.  Her journey from Kyrgyzstan to becoming a top financial adviser and business owner in the UK is a testament to the incredible things you can achieve when you turn your challenges into stepping stones. Tune in as Cholpan shares the secre...

🤔 Are Paraplanning Managers Holding Back Trainee Financial Planners? Not at Foster Denovo , where growth, ambition, and clear career aspirations take center stage. In the latest Financial Planner Life Podcast , I spoke with Louise Headifen , Paraplanning Manager at Foster Denovo, about how she’s breaking the mold and championing career progression for her team of 15. Whether it’s becoming a finan...

Chris Ball interviews Duncan Kreeger and Stephen Wasserman , the dynamic duo behind West One Loans and now TAB , in this fascinating episode of Financial Planner Life . Duncan and Stephen share their journey from a single desk in Duncan’s dad’s office to scaling £2.5 billion in lending . They also dive into how they’re reinventing property finance with TAB, leveraging technology and AI to build sm...

Financial planners, prepare to embark on a journey with our special guest, Peter Komolafe from the Conversation of Money , as we explore the dynamic world of financial coaching and content creation!  Discover the evolution from static "how-to" guides to vibrant discussions on economic trends and financial news, as Peter sheds light on the relentless dedication required to thrive in this...