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 us through his rise to the top of fund management, his role in creating some of the UK’s most succe...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 29 min
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 of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Rohit credits the show and its guests for sparking his strate...
Jan 23, 2025•52 min
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 dives into: Prospecting and Business Development: Charlotte opens up about her early struggles with b...
Jan 14, 2025•57 min
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 her journey—why she decided to make the leap, the challenges she faced, and how she’s already on track to hit...
Jan 09, 2025•57 min
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 reshaping professional goals and the courage it takes to follow one's passion. Throughout our chat, Laura op...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 5 min
"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 secrets to her success and how she uses her cultural heritage to make unforgettable connections in the financial wor...
Dec 11, 2024•46 min
🤔 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 financial adviser, developing a specialist career in paraplanning, or exploring other paths, Louise and F...
Dec 05, 2024•27 min
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 smarter, faster, and more ethical lending processes. You’ll learn about: The origins of West One Loans...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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 ever-changing industry. Learn how adapting to audience preferences is not just a luxury but a necessity to main...
Nov 19, 2024•55 min
In this episode of Financial Planner Life , Chris Ball, CEO of Hoxton Wealth, interviews David Kneeshaw, Group Chief Executive of International Financial Group Limited (IFGL). With over two decades of experience in financial services and leadership roles, David shares his insights on career development, building resilient teams, and strategies for growth in the international financial landscape. Career Journey & Leadership Philosophy David’s path has taken him from Times Newspapers, where he...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Ever wondered what it takes to successfully transition from product sales to holistic financial planning? Today, Financial Planner Life host Sam Oakes sits down with Nikos Christoforou, a Senior Partner at Foster Denovo , to uncover the challenges, mindset shifts, and strategies that can make or break a career in financial planning. In this episode, Nikos shares his journey from stockbroking and product-focused sales to a values-driven approach in financial planning. Starting as a self-employed ...
Nov 07, 2024•46 min
Join us for an insightful conversation with Paula Leitch, a trailblasing part-time financial planner whose journey took her from Australia to the heart of Dublin's financial sector. Throughout our discussion, we explore her strategic decision to embrace part-time work, allowing her to balance a fulfilling career with family life, Sam of course tries to convince her to become "mama money"—a key influencer in the financial industry. We also navigate the intricate landscape of financial planning ac...
Oct 30, 2024•53 min
In this episode of Financial Planner Life , Rebecca Livesey introduces Parapool , a gig-based, online marketplace that is revolutionising the paraplanning profession. By offering a flexible and scalable marketplace for paraplanners and financial advisers, Parapool addresses the current issues of rising paraplanning costs and talent shortages. Becky explains how advisers can save up to 40% on paraplanning costs while paraplanners gain control over their workload and pricing, creating a more effic...
Oct 23, 2024•54 min
In today's episode of Financial Planner Life, Alina Burlacu, financial coach (and qualified financial planner) shares her insights on the evolving role of financial coaching. Alina discusses her transition into coaching, highlighting how her experience in her profession, as well as financial planning, enables her to address the emotional and psychological aspects of clients' financial behaviours. By integrating her coaching techniques, financial professionals can provide more personalised and ef...
Oct 22, 2024•55 min
In this episode of Financial Planner Life, we are joined by Emma Hall, Chartered Financial Planner of the Year, who shares her career journey through a lens focused on workplace flexibility, women's wellbeing support, and mental health policies - and how these are essential for creating a thriving and resilient firm. For women in financial planning, these are not just HR topics—they directly affect retention, career progression, and overall workplace culture. With Emma’s real-world experience an...
Oct 15, 2024•48 min
In this episode, Managing Director, Kate Bailey, and Associate Partner, Ryan Milne, explore how mentorship, training, and succession planning are driving the next generation of success in the profession. With a rapidly aging adviser workforce and a looming talent shortage, investing in young financial planners is more important than ever. Sam Oakes sit down with Ryan, a young financial planner, and Kate, his mentor, to discuss the challenges they’ve faced and how they’re working together to shap...
Oct 09, 2024•59 min
Ever wondered how to create a thriving workplace that benefits employees, shareholders, and clients alike? Don't miss our enlightening conversation with Helen Lovett, COO of Foster Denovo , as she uncovers the power of clear career development frameworks. Learn firsthand why their strategic focus has elevated employee engagement and client satisfaction. Helen also sheds light on Foster Denovo's pioneering use of AI in financial planning and the rave reviews their consumer duty initiatives have r...
Oct 03, 2024•48 min
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Tom Mangan, a financial planner at St James's Place, who transitioned from the fitness industry to financial planning. Discover how Tom's sports-centered upbringing, marked by his time playing football at Aston Villa and running a private training business, imparted essential qualities like resilience and discipline that paved the way for his success in the financial sector. Through his story, we break the stereotype that young advisers can't thrive and...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr
In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Chris Ball (CEO of Hoxton Wealth) steps in as host while Terry Smith, CEO of Fundsmith (and often referred to as the UK's answer to Warren Buffet), shares his fascinating journey from a career at Barclays Bank to becoming a widely known financial services disruptor! Starting in banking, he worked his way through various finance roles, gaining life-long insights into investments and markets. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to leave the banking sector,...
Sep 26, 2024•41 min
In this episode of Financial Planner Life , host Sam Oakes sits down with financial planner Tracy Brookes for an honest and open conversation about her journey into the financial planning profession. Join us as Tracy discusses her remarkable journey from a chartered financial planner to becoming an influential voice in the financial planning community as the new host of the Wealth and Women podcast. She shares her valuable insights on leadership, organisational strategies, and the importance of ...
Sep 20, 2024•45 min
Discover the transformative journey of Godfrey Asare, who transitioned from the food retail sector to becoming a successful financial planner, all while emphasizing the importance of financial literacy for everyone. This episode promises to unravel Godfrey's incredible story—from working at Waitrose, Itsu, and Marks and Spencer to his graduation from the prestigious St. James's Place Academy. Listeners will gain invaluable insights into how financial education can alleviate financial stress and ...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to make the leap from the UK to Dubai for a career in financial planning? In this episode, we sit down with Charley, a UK-born client services manager, to delve into her journey of transitioning from accounting in the UK to working in international financial planning in Dubai. Charley shares her personal motivations for the move, the challenges she faced, and the reality of living in a city known for its luxury and high cost of living. She offers a candid lo...
Sep 10, 2024•37 min
What does it take to transition from an administrative role to a technical expert in financial planning? Join us as we talk with Paula Guedes, a dynamic practice lead at Foster Denovo. Paulas journey from Brazil to the UK, pursuing a master's in finance and economics, and working her way up from an entry-level position to a chartered paraplanner, is nothing short of inspiring. She shares how her analytical strengths and passion for financial planning have shaped her career, offering valuable ins...
Sep 05, 2024•44 min
Unlock the secrets to thriving in a tax-free entrepreneurial paradise as we sit down with Ellie Gracie, a driven 22-year-old financial planner from Hoxton Wealth who traded the historic streets of Edinburgh for the bustling avenues of Dubai. Ellie recounts her adventure of diving headfirst into Dubai’s high-energy, opportunity-laden environment, gaining invaluable experience in paraplanning and client relationship management under the mentorship of Hoxton Wealth's CEO, Chris Ball . Discover how ...
Aug 30, 2024•37 min
From his humble beginnings as an administrator to his current role managing a client book as a financial planner in an investment Managment company , Matt's journey is nothing short of inspiring. He offers invaluable insights into the importance of a holistic, personalised approach to financial planning, and shares his experiences working with a diverse array of clients, from high net worth individuals to the mass affluent. Learn how Matt balances the demands of investment management with compre...
Aug 29, 2024•35 min
Unlock the secrets of global compliance in financial planning with our special guest, Paul Tate, the Global Head of Compliance at Hoxton Capital Management. From his humble beginnings as a financial advisor in South Africa to his influential role in Dubai, Paul shares his compelling journey and the passion that drives him. Discover how ethics and compliance can positively impact lives across different markets including the UK, Australia, the US, Cyprus (Europe), and South Africa. Navigate the in...
Aug 23, 2024•44 min
Trigger Warning - We discuss Suicide and Addiction. Hosted by: Sam Oakes Guest: Dylan Ellis, Financial Planner at St James's Place Episode Overview: In this deeply insightful episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, host Sam Oakes talks with Dylan Ellis, who at just 26 years old has transformed personal adversity into professional success. Dylan candidly shares his story of growing up in poverty, the profound impact of losing his brother to suicide, and his mother's battle with addiction a...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Are you a mortgage advisor looking for more stability and long-term growth in your career? Transitioning to an Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) might be the strategic move you’ve been searching for. In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Daniel Hobbs from New Leaf to explore the benefits and challenges of making the shift from mortgage advice to financial planning. They discuss the role of networks like New Leaf in supporting advisors through this tran...
Aug 15, 2024•45 min
And another top hire for Hoxton Capital Managment in the UK! Join us on this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast as we sit down with Adrian Benjamin, who recently joined Hoxton Capital Management as a protection consultant. this is Adrians second spin on the Financial Planner Life Podcast! Adrian delves into his motivations for the career move, discussing Hoxton's innovative approach to financial services, their ambitious growth plans, and international reach. Reflecting on his journey...
Aug 12, 2024•27 min
Want to know the secrets to successful recruitment in the financial planning profession? Our special guest, Helena Bogdanovski from Foster Denovo today shares her expertise in talent attraction. Learn how she navigates the intricate process of hiring self-employed financial advisers, focusing on relationship-building and understanding their unique needs to ensure a perfect fit for both the advisers and their clients. Explore the evolving roles in financial planning, where Helena delves into the ...
Aug 08, 2024•29 min
