The New Leaf Podcast

In this episode of The New Leaf Podcast, Matt and Rebecca talk about why they chose to leave their previous network after permissions were repeatedly reduced and how that began to push their business away from the holistic service they wanted to offer clients. They explain why finding the right home became so important, what stood out when they spoke to New Leaf, and how having access to a broader...

Chris Sykes of MSP Financial Solutions joins The New Leaf Podcast to discuss how genuinely complex mortgage cases are structured in practice, why lender judgement matters more than automation, and how specialist building societies can unlock solutions others miss. Chris walks through a real case involving a portfolio landlord with multiple properties and projects, explaining how a pre‑fund facilit...

In this episode of The New Leaf Podcast , Mark Hobbs, Chairman of New Leaf Distribution, is joined by John Castle, who shares his honest journey of stepping away from financial advice, rebuilding confidence, and returning stronger than ever.  John talks openly about why his first attempt at self‑employment didn’t work, how mindset played a bigger role than he realised at the time, and what changed...

In this episode, Rita & Rohit Kohli from The Mortgage Shop share their experience building a successful advice business, offering practical insights for financial advisers and mortgage brokers. From compliance and culture to growth strategies and network decisions, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons. You’ll discover: How to structure your firm for sustainable growth The import...

Sarah Drakard joins Daniel Hobbs to discuss her 13-year journey in the financial services industry, exploring the unique challenges and rewards of balancing a solo business with motherhood. This episode is a masterclass in lead generation through authenticity and the clinical importance of holistic financial planning. Key Takeaways: The Motherhood Balance: How to navigate the "curse" of...

Episode Summary: What makes a senior professional leave a 15-year career at a global powerhouse like Vanguard to start their own practice? In this episode, Matthew Abouzeid , Director of &Together , joins guest host Sam Oakes to discuss his journey from corporate "manufacturing" to independent financial planning. Matthew reveals the rigorous process he went through to launch his firm...

What happens when you trade years of corporate stability for the autonomy of business ownership? In this episode of the New Leaf Podcast, Daniel Hobbs, CEO of New Leaf Distribution sits down with James McCudden-Hughes , Director of Hirschle Hughes , to deconstruct one of the most successful "corporate escapes" in recent years. Since launching in March 2023, James and his partner Sean hav...

How do you go from being a self-employed "young mum" to leading a thriving 9-person financial services firm in just five years? Petra of Hitel Financial joins the New Leaf Podcast to reveal her roadmap for scaling a niche-focused brokerage. Key Takeaways: The Identity Crisis: Why the hardest part of growth is transitioning from a "devoted advisor" to a "business owner&quot...

Are you ready to stop being "swallowed up" by consolidation and start building your own brand? Hayley Rabbets formerly of the Verve Foundation joins the New Leaf Podcast to share the ultimate roadmap for budding financial entrepreneurs. Key Takeaways: The Three Pillars of Growth: Learn the difference between the Consider , Build , and Grow stages of business development. The Resilience F...

On the New Leaf Podcast, Founder Mark Hobbs welcomes two of the network's most successful and long-standing advisers, Mark Scott and Marta Scott-Manuszewska , who run Positive Advisers and Five Star Mortgages. This episode is an uncensored look at entrepreneurial resilience. In a candid chat, they discuss how they started with almost nothing after leaving a previous firm, built their business...

In this episode of the New Leaf Podcast , host Sam Wallis sits down with the inspiring Rebecca Penny from Planet Financial to discuss what it's truly like to go self-employed in the financial services industry. Rebecca shares her journey from a comfortable private banking role to being rejected by every network for not having a client bank or her Competent Adviser Status (CAS) . She reveals h...

Welcome to the New Leaf podcast, where host Mark Hobbs, Chairman and Founder of New Leaf Distribution, sits down with the amazing Samantha Challis from Another View Financial Services. Samantha shares her incredible journey of growing her income from just £30,000 to over £300,000 in only three years. In this episode, she reveals her secrets to success, including: Mastering the Mindset: Samantha ex...

In this episode, host Daniel Hobbs, CEO of New Leaf Distribution, sits down with Riz Malik from R3 Mortgages, a well-known IFA pundit and Sky News contributor. Riz shares his incredible journey of growing a business from zero to over a thousand clients since 2014, and how he successfully transitioned from a mortgage adviser to an IFA. He also offers valuable insights on: The Power of Specialisatio...

From Professional Footballer to Financial Broker: Kelsey Phillips' Winning Playbook In this inspiring episode of the New Leaf podcast, host Daniel Hobbs, CEO of New Leaf Distribution network sits down with Kelsey Phillips of Arose Finance, a former professional footballer who turned over a new leaf to become a leading specialist in development and bridging finance. Kelsey shares her journey f...