Leadership Perspectives in Financial Services

Is a purely financial motivation enough to sustain you through the inevitable ups and downs of building a business? In this episode of Leadership Perspectives in Financial Services, I sit down James Lawson, a seasoned entrepreneur and wealth management veteran. James shares his nearly 30-year journey from "falling into" wealth management at UBS to building and successfully exiting multiple busines...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Emma Black - fintech entrepreneur, behavioural finance expert and co-founder of GB Bank and Cascade Cash Management. Emma shares the remarkable story behind launching one of the UK’s newest challenger banks, from spotting a regional funding gap to raising capital, navigating regulation and building a bank through lockdown. We explore the realities of entrepreneurs...

In this episode of Oxtalks, I sit down with Lucile Flamand, Chief Transformation Officer at Bibby Financial Services, to talk about leadership, transformation and something we came to describe as the “Secret Coach”. In an industry driven by targets, pace and performance, coaching is not always the first skill people associate with senior leadership. Yet listening to Lucile, it becomes clear how im...

The UK wealth management sector is in the middle of sustained M&A consolidation. While deal logic often looks compelling on paper, many firms are still losing talent, momentum and value after completion. In this episode, Chris Oxley is joined by Chartered Occupational Psychologist and culture strategist Paula Brockwell to explore cultural integration as a material risk in M&A, and why it c...

In this episode, Chris speaks with Emma Boardwell, founder of Emotional Finance, psychotherapist, coach and qualified financial adviser. Emma brings a rare combination of therapeutic training and industry experience, offering deep insight into why financial advice is increasingly becoming a human, relational profession rather than a purely technical one. Together, they explore how emotional i...

What if boosting productivity and retention wasn’t about perks or pay but about truly listening to your people? In this episode, Emma Caiger, Director of Talent Intelligence at Henley Insights Group joins me, to explore how smart data, cultural awareness and a people-first mindset are transforming the world of work. Emma shares how talent intelligence goes beyond HR buzzwords, helping organisation...

Can mindset truly be the secret weapon for modern HR leaders? In this episode, I speak with Tom Emery, People Performance Consultant, coach, and bestselling author of People People: Reach Your Full Potential as a CHRO. As the creator of the CHRO Impact Framework and founder of HEX, Tom brings over two decades of executive HR experience across sectors from retail to financial services. Tom’s leader...

What if transformation wasn’t about technology at all - but about people? In this episode of Ox Talks, I sit down with Jamie Pizzorno, former Chief Product Owner and Head of Cyber Security Change at Standard Chartered, and Executive Director at Goldman Sachs. Across nearly two decades in global finance, Jamie has led large-scale organisational transformation – from embedding AI and machine learnin...

How can leaders use culture as a true competitive advantage? In this episode of OxTalks, I sit down with Jo Rice – former Chief Executive and Co-Founder of Resurgo, named Best Place to Work by The Sunday Times in 2024, and creator of the award-winning Spear Programme, which has helped over 10,000 young people overcome barriers to employment. Drawing on her experience coaching leaders in industries...

Is digital overload quietly eroding you and your team’s productivity, focus, and mental health? In this must-listen episode, we’re joined by Petra Velzeboer—Global TEDx Speaker, CEO, and renowned mental health consultant, to confront the hidden costs of our always-on culture. From escaping a religious cult and battling addiction, to becoming one of the most sought-after voices in workpla...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Rob Archer, a psychologist renowned for his work in optimising health and enhancing performance under high-pressure conditions. Dr Archer shared insights from his extensive experience with elite sports teams and leading corporate clients, focusing on the crucial roles of high performance routines and effective recovery strategies. We explored...

Ever felt like doing the job isn’t enough—that there’s something else that sets the standout performers apart? In this episode, I’m joined by Gareth Lewis, Executive Coach at Hatwell Group, who brings a rare perspective: 20+ years in private banking and wealth management, followed by a pivot into coaching top talent in finance. Gareth opens up about hitting a wall during a bank sale, the identity...

How can personalised employee development and a focus on purpose drive success in today’s organisations? In this episode of  Ox Talks , we sit down with Bradley Honnor, Managing Director of Matchfit, to explore his unique approach to high-performance coaching and organisational development. Bradley shares his journey from over two decades in corporate management to founding Matchfit, a c...

In this episode of Ox Talks, I sit down with Philippa Hann, the incoming CEO of Paradigm Norton Financial Planning. With over 20 years of experience in financial services litigation, Philippa shares her journey from a litigator challenging large financial institutions to a leader in the world of financial planning. Philippa discusses the emotional toll of cases like the British Steel pension scand...

Can technology transform how we think about compliance? In this episode, I explore the cutting-edge world of risk management with Cristian and Gary from Lexverify. They share how their innovative approach, powered by AI and real-time assistance, is revolutionising the way organisations handle compliance, shifting from reactive measures to proactive strategies that kee...

How does the brain react when the stakes are high? Psychologist Jake Lovelock joins me to explore the universal principles behind performance under pressure, revealing why even the best-trained individuals can falter when it matters most. Jake, an elite sports psychologist within F1, Premiership football and Premiership rugby discusses the critical balance between striving for perfection and settl...

In this episode of OxTalks, I sit down with Matt Falla, Managing Partner of Evelyn Partners Channel Islands. In this unique episode, Matt shares an open-hearted account of his career journey from traveling across Australia and Asia to the struggles he faced during two mental health breakdowns. Matt walks us through the steps he took to find support, shedding light on the often-unnoticed pressures...

Unlock the secrets to effective risk management and insightful decision-making with Christian Hunt, the host of the Human Risk Podcast. Discover how curiosity and behavioural science can transform organisational compliance. In this episode, Christian shares his journey from regulating international banks to leading a behavioural science function. Through stories and real-world examples, including...

Have you ever wondered what ignites that spark in your brain when you make a choice, be it picking a brand or deciding to trust someone? This episode explores the mind's undercurrents with cognitive neuroscience professor Joseph Devlin. Together, we break down the walls of the subconscious, revealing the secrets of consumer neuroscience that drive our decisions, often without us even realising it....

Have you ever considered how AI shapes the business landscape and the psychology that drives it? Business psychologist and psychometrician Katie Thomas and I discuss AI's influence on the future of work. In this episode, we delve into the shift towards behavioural skills over technical know-how and the rise of adaptability as a prized asset. Katie explains the urgent need for personnel who can ada...

Known as 'Tipper X,' Tom Hardin became one of the most prolific informants in securities fraud history. He helped build over 20 of the 80+ individual criminal cases in Operation Perfect Hedge, a Wall Street house cleaning campaign that morphed into the largest insider trading investigation of a generation. As the youngest professional implicated in the sting, Tom was tasked with wearing a covert b...

Traversing the world to pursue career growth or satisfy our thirst for adventure is a challenging task. In this episode, I'm joined by Nathan Cornwell, who sheds light on the harsh realities of grappling with local languages, financial limitations, and the quest for a sense of belonging in a foreign country. Nathan shares how to create a support system from scratch, how to find guidance from colle...

In this episode, we take a thought-provoking journey through the dynamic intersection of AI and wealth management. Aalok Shukla, the co-founder of Implement AI, shares how AI can transform the industry and empower influential professionals to enhance their services. Aalok shares compelling examples of AI in action, from analysing consultations to generating insightful financial documents. We also...

Boost your communication skills as in this episode, we explore the intriguing concept of empathetic curiosity with our distinguished guest, Dean Cooper. With Dean's extensive background in management consulting, psychology and neuroscience, he paints a vivid picture of how this critical skill can transform our interactions, fortify relationships, and mould us into more effective leaders. This epis...

I explore the secrets of motivation and persuasion in wealth management with Frederick Kermisch, a global sales coach to private bankers. Frederick sheds light on the nuances of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation and the power of a clear path to success in boosting team motivation. Together, we uncover the importance of setting targets and building systems in wealth management. Frederick offers un...