The Financial Planning Podcast

Harry Thiel joins Lewis Byford on The Financial Planning Podcast to share the reality of building Wealthwave Financial from the ground up. From buying a client bank and moving into a new office, to balancing family life, long hours and the pressure of growing a business, Harry opens up about the highs and challenges of becoming an owner-manager in financial planning. Lewis and Harry discuss delega...

In this episode of The Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis Byford sits down with Rebecca Aldridge, Managing Director of Balance Wealth Planning. Rebecca shares how she built her firm from the ground up with no clients, no shortcuts, and a clear vision of doing things differently. They dive into what it really takes to build a scalable financial planning business, from putting the right operational f...

In this episode of The Financial Planning Club Podcast, Lewis sits down with Claudia Clark from Saturn to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing advice firms right now… operational efficiency. Claudia brings a fresh perspective from both discretionary fund management and the fast-moving AI and tech space, working closely with over 700 advice firms to understand what's really slowing them down...

In this episode of the Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis sits down with Jonathan Newell, CEO and co-founder of BareRock, for a practical conversation about PI, risk and what good support should actually look like for financial planning firms. Jonathan shares the story behind BareRock, the frustrations that led to its creation, and why too many quality firms are still being treated like everyone el...

In this episode of the Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis sits down with Marina Herbert from Herbert & Webster for a refreshingly honest conversation about the role operations plays in building a strong financial planning business. Marina shares her journey into the profession, how Herbert & Webster grew from the early days, and why they have been so deliberate about building the firm around values...

In this episode of the Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis sits down with Vanessa Barnes for a brilliant conversation on how financial planning has changed over the last 40 years and where the profession still needs to improve. Vanessa shares her perspective on the shift from a sales-led industry to a true profession, why rapport, communication and client understanding still matter so much, and how...

In this episode of the Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis sits down with Chris Palmer, Managing Director of Hansford Bell, for a brilliant conversation about leadership, growth and what it really takes to build a strong advice business. Chris shares his journey from the Royal Navy into financial services, the lessons that shaped his leadership style, and how Hansford Bell has built a collaborative...

In this episode of the Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis sits down with Debbie Brant, Managing Director of Bigmore Associates. Debbie shares her 25-year journey in financial services, from starting out as a junior paraplanner to now leading a growing multi-service firm with a strong people-first culture. They discuss career progression, apprenticeships, leadership, values-led recruitment, and why...

In this episode of the Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis sits down with Matt Campbell, founder of Stadium Wealth and a member of the Financial Planning Club. After more than a decade working in banking, Matt made the leap into financial advice before eventually launching his own firm,  building a business designed around flexibility, purpose and the clients he wants to serve. They discuss the real...

In this episode of the Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis sits down with Max Sullivan, Chartered Financial Adviser and founder of Archgate Wealth. After a life-changing medical setback in his teens redirected him away from a planned army career, Max built a career in financial services, achieving Chartered status and eventually turning down a leadership role at HSBC to launch his own independent fi...

In this episode of the Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis sits down with Taylor Beavis, founder of Universe Financial Advice, a deliberately small, boutique firm built around lifestyle, freedom, and intentional growth. From emailing Pete Matthew before he'd even become an adviser, to adopting his son mid-business journey, Taylor shares the mindset shifts that shaped his career, including his powerf...

In this episode, Lewis sits down with Justin King, Chartered & Certified Financial Planner, Registered Life Planner and founder of MFP Wealth Management. Justin shares his remarkable personal story: from a youth training scheme at 16 to building a life-centred financial planning firm. He reflects on lessons from early struggles, what truly makes a fulfilling life, and how life planning gave him th...

In this episode, Lewis sits down with Frazer Cronin, Head of Operations at First Wealth, to explore what it really takes to build a modern financial planning firm from the inside out. Frazer shares his journey from career-changer to Head of Operations in under six years and how curiosity, skill development, and strong culture shaped that path. They discuss scaling without losing client focus, embe...

In this episode, Lewis speaks with Tim Horrocks, founder and CEO of RockWealth, about building a client-first, evidence-led financial planning business and how his partnership with Albion Strategic has supported that mission. Tim shares the journey from starting RockWealth to building a national presence, the mindset shifts it took to scale without sacrificing quality, and why structure, delegatio...

In this episode, Lewis sits down with Amy Goodall-Smith, founder of Goodall-Smith Wealth Management, to explore what it really means to build a values-led financial planning firm. Amy shares how she left a big national to create a more human, empathetic, and purpose-driven experience for clients, one where people always come before profit. From aligning personal values with business strategy, to s...

In this episode of The Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis is joined by Tom Hegarty, CEO of SimplyBiz and Chair of the New Talent Alliance, for a warm, insightful conversation about building a more sustainable, impactful advice profession. Tom reflects on his 30-year journey across advice, education and leadership and the mindset shifts that have helped him evolve along the way. From tackling impost...

In this episode of the Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis sits down with Wes Wilks, CEO of Iron Market Wealth and Fint Invest, for a rich and inspiring conversation about building a truly client-led financial advice business. Wes shares how he went from being made redundant to founding one of the UK's most innovative firms, how he manages work-life balance as a father of three, and his vision for r...

In this episode of The Financial Planning Podcast , Lewis is joined by Susie Hill,  a seasoned financial planner whose journey spans RAF service, direct sales, RDR reinvention, and today, a tech-savvy solo practice with a powerful niche. Susie shares what it takes to build a business from scratch, not once, but multiple times, and why planning isn't just something she does for clients, but somethi...

In this episode of The Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis is joined by Pete Matthew, Chartered Financial Planner, author, and the creator of Meaningful Money, to explore what really separates great planners from good ones. With a career spanning more than 25 years, Pete shares the values, systems, and mindset shifts that keep financial planners fulfilled for the long term and why it all comes back...

In this episode of The Financial Planning Podcast, Lewis sits down with Alex Crowther from Timeline, one of the fastest-growing DFMs in the UK and a valued collaborator of the Financial Planning Club. Alex shares her journey from psychology student to financial adviser to joining the investment strategy team at Timeline, where she helps build and communicate their evidence-based investment approac...

In this episode, Lewis is joined by Ben Edwards, Director and Senior Investment Analyst at Albion Strategic Consulting to discuss the power of investment partnerships, simplifying complexity, and building scalable advice firms. They dive into the realities of wearing too many hats, the benefits of outsourcing to trusted partners, and why clarity and confidence in your investment approach are key t...

In this episode, Lewis is joined by Chris Hindle and James Mackey, co-founders of Frazer James, for a candid and inspiring conversation about building a modern, values-led advice business. From bad dinners and good ideas to clear vision and even clearer communication, Chris and James share how they built a 100% remote firm that's now managing over £100m in assets. They talk openly about the realit...

In this episode, Lewis is joined by Dennis Harhalakis, Certified Money Coach, trainer, and founder of Cambridge Money Coaching, for a powerful conversation on the emotional side of financial advice. With over 30 years of experience in financial services, Dennis now helps professionals and clients understand the deep-rooted beliefs that drive money behaviour. From childhood messaging to emotional b...

In this episode, Lewis is joined by Mark Livingston, COO at Aspen, for a practical, honest conversation about the real operational challenges advice firms face when trying to grow and how the right investment partnership can help solve them. Mark shares his journey from asset management to the boardroom, how his process-first mindset shaped Aspen's offering, and why planners deserve more from thei...

From pulling pints in a Working Men's Club to leading distribution at one of the fastest-growing platforms in financial services, Laurie Jacques' journey is packed with grit, perspective, and hard-earned lessons. In this episode, Laurie shares how he got his start, the leadership principles that have shaped his career, and why visibility and communication matter most especially when things go wron...