BWD: In The Know

In episode 59 of BWD In The Know, James Walker welcomes financial planner Anthony Flynn back for a second conversation, one that moves beyond the technical side of financial advice and into something far more personal.

After exploring identity in their first discussion, James and Ant turn to beliefs: where they come from, how they change and how much of what we think is truly our own. From childhood and education to media, social influence and the fear of being judged, they question the stories we tell ourselves and the forces that shape them.

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Aneka Beneby: Ambition, Motherhood and Redefining Success

In this episode of BWD In The Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the latest instalment of her mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Aneka Beneby, Senior Portfolio Manager and CFA Charterholder, for a conversation about ambition, motherhood, self-belief and how our definition of success can change throughout our careers.

Aneka shares her journey from growing up in the Bahamas and discovering financial markets almost by chance, to building a career in investment management and making the mov...

Clarity, Curiosity & Belonging with Hazel Bowen

In episode 57 of BWD In The Know, James Walker is joined by multi-award-winning financial planner Hazel Bowen FPFS TEP for the latest conversation in the Future Fit Financial Planning series.

Hazel's route into the profession was anything but straightforward. Growing up in a working-class household in Norwich, moving from state school to private education on a bursary and later building a successful career in financial planning have all shaped how she thinks about opportunity, leadership and belonging.

Diagnosed as autistic an...

Sarah Roughsedge: Women and Wealth, Financial Confidence and Rethinking Financial Advice

In this episode of BWD In The Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the latest instalment of her mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Sarah Roughsedge, Chartered Financial Planner, author and founder of Eva Wealth, for a conversation about women and wealth, financial confidence and why the traditional advice model hasn’t always worked for everyone.

Sarah shares her unconventional journey into financial services, having originally trained as a neuroscientist before changing direction and be...

Louisa Braywood: Women, Wealth and the Power of Human Connection

In this episode of BWD In the Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the latest instalment of her mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Louisa Braywood, Investment Manager, for a conversation about financial confidence, authentic relationship-building and making investing feel more accessible to women.

Louisa shares her unconventional journey into wealth management, beginning her career at just 18 and learning the industry from the ground up. She reflects on developing her technical knowledge, becoming Chartered and...

From Wealth Management to Health Management.

Some careers evolve. Others redefine an industry.

In this episode of Future Fit Financial Planning, James Walker is joined by Sarah Soar, Founder of Estelle: Health is Wealth and former CEO of Hawksmoor Investment Management, to explore why the future of leadership isn't just about managing wealth, but managing health.

Drawing on four decades in financial services and executive leadership, Sarah shares how her experiences of leading through significant organisational change ultimately inspired the launch of Estelle: Health is Wealth...

Some careers follow a carefully mapped-out route. Others take an unexpected turn.

In this episode of Future Fit Financial Planning, James Walker is joined by James Connor, Founder & CEO of Connor Broadley, to explore the journey from professional footballer to business owner, and the principles that have shaped nearly two decades of independent financial planning.

From earning just £250 in their first month of trading to building one of the City's most respected wealth management firms, James reflects on the importance of client relationships, long-term thinking and staying true to your values, even as t...

Marie Smith: Confidence, Community and Creating Meaningful Change

In this episode of BWD In the Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the latest instalment of her mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Marie Smith, Relationship Associate Partner at Cooper Parry Wealth, for a conversation about confidence, community, inclusive leadership and creating meaningful change within the financial planning profession.

Marie shares her journey from starting in an administrative role to progressing through paraplanning, advice and leadership. She reflects honestly on experiencing imposter syndrome, the importance of...

Emmelia Powell: Building Trust, Visibility and the Future of Advice

In episode 51 of BWD In the Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the second episode of her mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Emmelia Powell, Financial Adviser, for a conversation on building trust, finding your voice and creating a more personal, human version of financial advice.

Emmelia shares her journey into the profession, from starting out in banking to entering financial advice after having three children, completing her exams and building a career that works around b...

Excellence, Not Perfection with Ann-Marie Atkins

In this special 50th episode of BWD In The Know, James is joined by Ann-Marie Atkins, Head of Entrepreneurs at Evelyn Partners, for a conversation about what really sits behind long-term success in financial planning.

Known as one of the UK's leading advisers in the entrepreneur and business owner space, Ann-Marie reflects on the experiences, values and lessons that have shaped her career.

In this episode, they discuss:

Ann-Marie's journey into financial services and the challenges she faced early...

In episode 49 of BWD In The Know, Ellie Corkill hosts the first episode of her new mini-series, The Human Side of Wealth Management.

Ellie is joined by Jay Dhaliwal APFS, Chartered Independent Financial Adviser at Chase de Vere, for a conversation on resilience, representation and the power of showing up.

Jay shares her journey into financial advice, from starting her career in financial services to becoming Chartered, building a visible personal brand and using her platform to support others entering the profession.

In this episode, they discuss:

CRM Wars: Endgame for the Legacy?

In conversation with Paul Miller

In this episode, James is joined by Paul Miller to explore why most financial planning firms don’t have a true tech strategy, and why that’s becoming a serious risk.

After leading technology at IWP, one of the UK’s early consolidators, Paul has seen first-hand what happens when multiple firms attempt to operate as one, with different systems, inconsistent processes and fragmented data underneath it all.

At the centre of the problem is the assu...

Marketing isn’t the colouring in department.

In conversation with Emma Hardiman

In this episode, James is joined by Emma Hardiman to explore the role marketing should really play inside a financial planning business, and why it’s often misunderstood.

Too often, marketing is treated as a support function, brought in at the end to “make things look good” rather than influence how a firm grows. In this conversation, Emma shares why marketing should sit at the centre of client understanding, trust and strategic decision-making.

In this episode...

The Adviser Who Walked Away 

In conversation with James McPartland 

In this episode, James is joined by James McPartland to explore the story behind building and ultimately walking away from a £400m financial planning business. 

Built from scratch under the St. James’s Place model, James and his partners grew a highly successful firm before making the decision to leave and start again. In this candid conversation, he shares what pushed them to that point, what they got wrong along the way, and what they would do differently if they had their...

Back to the Future (of Advice)

In conversation with John White & Mike Toole

No DeLorean. No flux capacitor. But in this episode, James is joined by John White and Mike Toole to explore a genuinely interesting question: what does the future of financial planning actually look like?

And, somewhat ironically, the answer might feel familiar.

Rather than consolidation cycles, efficiency drives or purely transactional relationships, the conversation looks toward a future that resembles the best parts of advice’s past — where judgement, empathy and trust sit at the cent...

AI will not increase your business value. It will protect it.

In the second episode the Future Fit Financial Planning series, James is joined by Vicky Hicks, Co-Founder of Melo, for an honest conversation about business value, identity, leadership and the realities of today’s M&A market.

Vicky shares her journey of building and selling a firm, the personal identity shift that followed, and the lessons she learned about value creation, culture and operational discipline. She offers a rare, candid look at what is really happening in the M&A landscape; from pr...

Is the role of the Financial Planner about to change?#

In the first episode of the Future Fit Financial Planning series, our host James Walker is joined by Tom Francis of Octopus Money to explore what the next stage of advice might really look like.

They discuss how technology and behavioural psychology are reshaping personal finance, why so many people struggle to act on good financial advice, and how scalable, tech-enabled models could help millions make better money decisions. With a clear mission to reach 5 million people and a willingness to share their...

In this episode of BWD In The Know, guest host Harry McNeill is joined by Paul Hance, a seasoned actuary whose career reflects how leadership, learning, and relationships define success in today’s actuarial profession.

From technical beginnings to leadership roles, Paul shares how continuous learning, humility, and adaptability have shaped his journey. He offers practical insights on navigating setbacks, balancing technical expertise with business skills, and embracing technology and AI as tools for growth.

In Building Relationships, Not Just Models: Paul Hance on the Modern Actuary, they explore:

✅ The bl...

In this episode of BWD In The Know, guest host Harry McNeill is joined by Gerrit Marais, an actuary whose career spans continents, from South Africa to Canada.

Gerrit shares how curiosity, connection, and continuous learning have shaped his professional journey, and why building relationships can be just as important as mastering technical skills.

In Building Networks, Not Just Numbers: An Actuarial Journey with Gerrit Marais, we discuss:

✅ The power of networking & relationship-building

✅ Why mentorship matters more than ever

✅ Balancing work, study, and life

✅ Continuous learning...

Beyond Risk: Michelle Young on Reinsurance, Resilience & the Human Side of Actuarial Work

In this episode of BWD In The Know, guest host Harry McNeill is joined by Michelle Young for a conversation that goes beyond risk to uncover the human side of actuarial work.

Michelle reflects on her career in reinsurance and shares why actuaries are far more than just the numbers. From the societal impact of actuarial decisions to the importance of communication, mentorship, and volunteering, she highlights how resilience and curiosity can shape a fulfilling career.

Along...

💡 “He who looks outside dreams, he who looks inside awakens.”

That line came up in my latest In The Know with Anthony Flynn, and it set the tone for one of the most open and vulnerable conversations I’ve had on the podcast.

Anthony spoke not just about career milestones, but about the deeper currents that shape who we are and how we lead.

The conversation explored:

From Actuary to Wall Street to Novelist: Mark W. Griffin on Risk, Reinvention & Storytelling

In this episode of BWD In The Know, guest host Harry McNeill is joined by Mark W Griffin for a fascinating conversation that blends actuarial insight with life beyond the spreadsheets.

Mark’s career has been anything but linear; from actuarial science to investment banking on Wall Street, and now to publishing his debut novel The Mortality Thief.

Along the way, he shares lessons in curiosity, mentorship, and leadership, while reflecting on what the 2008 financial crisis ta...

In this episode of BWD In The Know, Harry McNeill is joined by Kim Steiner, Head of North America's Life Practice at WTW, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it really means to build a career in life insurance.

Kim shares her journey from intern to industry leader, reflects on the rise of AI and its real impact on actuarial work, and gives sharp, honest advice for anyone starting in the profession.

From breaking down industry misconceptions to discussing the soft skills that matter most, this is essential listening for actuaries at...

In this episode of BWD In The Know, Harry McNeill sits down with Jeffrey Gomes, an actuary-turned-coach based in Canada to explore what it really takes to lead in today's actuarial world.

From starting out during the 2008 financial crisis to embracing the rise of AI, Jeffrey shares hard-earned lessons on resilience, people-first leadership, and unlocking potential through coaching.

Whether you're navigating exams, managing a remote team, or chasing your next promotion, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay the course and grow your impact on your terms.

Hosted on...

From losing his leg in a life-altering accident to becoming a Guinness World Record-holding endurance swimmer, Jonty Warneken has redefined what’s possible; physically, mentally, and professionally.

In this episode, Jonty shares his remarkable journey:

No Socks (with Crocs) Please, I'm French!

Caroline swapped investment banking for financial planning, bringing a French lens to British money habits, career choices, and yes, fashion faux pas.

In this episode of In The Know, we cover:

If you're considering a career change, this one’s for you.

“If you want the truth, you need trust.”

That line stayed with me.

In this week’s In The Know podcast, I spoke with Lena Sisco – former military interrogator turned leadership and communication expert – about trust, truth, and how to spot a lie.

She’s spent her career extracting the truth from people who had every reason not to share it. And it turns out the answer isn’t mind games or intimidation. It’s connection.

As AI removes the humdrum parts of our jobs, the human...

Less admin, more advice – AI without the hype. That’s the vision. But how do you actually get there?

In this episode, James speaks with Oren Henry, Co-Founder of AutoAdvise, about how financial advisers can use AI to reduce admin and improve client outcomes. They explore where firms are losing time, the risks of misusing ChatGPT-style tools, and what being truly ‘AI-ready’ looks like in practice.

What's Covered:

Once dubbed “The City’s Superwoman”, Nicola Horlick’s story isn’t just about finance. It’s about leadership in all its complexity.

From billion-pound turnarounds and public scandal to raising six children, navigating personal tragedy and building again - Nicola’s journey covers it all.

She shares her story openly, with the hope it inspires more women to lead in their own way.

We spoke about vision, loyalty, imposter syndrome, and what it really takes to lead through chaos in business and in life.

This one stay...

Is Financial Planning Dying?

That’s what I asked Tom Hegarty in the latest episode of In The Know - a follow-up to the post that sparked so much debate.

We covered:

📉 Adviser numbers – real growth, or just a pause before the cliff edge?

🔁 Why firms keep hiring experience but won’t back new talent

🧱 The power of apprenticeships and why more firms must engage

💬 How to shift short-term mindsets in firm leadership

🪄 And Tom’s magic wand moment

Do you agree with Tom? Are you a...

The Recruitment Industry’s Biggest Lie - And Why Clients Keep Falling for It

Recruitment has been running on fumes for years. The contingent model dominates, yet it delivers an 80% chance of wasted time.

Louise Archer and I dug into why the industry clings to it, despite better alternatives. 

Some key takeaways:

It was a privilege to host Jeff Lange, Group CEO of TFAS Enterprises, on the podcast. Jeff shared fascinating insights into the evolving financial advice sector, the role of technology, and the future of client engagement. Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:

💻 Remote advice is thriving

Face-to-face isn’t the only way. Remote advice, driven by trust and tech, is now the choice for even high-net-worth clients.

🌍 Bridging the advice gap

Streamlined processes and digital tools are making advice accessible to clients at all asset levels.

🤖 AI in...

The Trilogy Nobody Thought Would Happen

“All good things must come to an end”—and so does the final episode of our podcast series with the brilliant Dave Robinson.

This time, we cover plenty of ground, including:

1️⃣ Regrets on LinkedIn?

Dave’s outspoken views have sparked debates, drawn praise, and even got him blocked! But does he regret any of it? His answer (and reasoning) is refreshingly honest.

2️⃣ Thoughts on the CII

Dave doesn’t hold back as we discuss the role of professional bodies and how the financ...

"Talking with Archana was genuinely inspiring and thought-provoking. Her insights brought a fresh perspective on what leadership truly means, especially in today’s rapidly changing world." - James Walker

In this episode, we unpacked:

🚨 Alert: "Businesses must start transitioning to be data-led, or they risk becoming irrelevant. Those who fail to integrate data into their operations will fall behind as the industry evolves. It’s not just about compliance or efficiency anymore – it’s about survival."

In this insightful episode, I sit down with Poppy Achilles to discuss three critical pillars for the future of UK financial planning:

It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with Carla Brown, Managing Director of Oakmere and President of the PFS, to discuss some truly important and sobering topics.

Carla shared her personal journey into financial services, highlighting the critical gaps in financial education that persist, particularly in schools. We touched on the need for early intervention and education to help the next generation avoid financial pitfalls and grow financially literate.

One of the most eye-opening discussions was on financial abuse—a topic that hits close to home for Carla. She shared how a cl...

Join me for an illuminating conversation with the brilliant Brendan Frazier, Chief Behavioural Officer at RFG and host of the Human Side of Money podcast.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for financial planners, and anyone interested in the human side of financial advice!

You don’t want to miss this!

Key topics discussed:

🌟 The Human Element in Finance: Brendan shares his passion for integrating psychology and human behaviour into financial planning.

🚀 Helping Clients Take Action: Practical strategies to bridge the gap between knowing what to do an...

In another Ask The Actuary special, Kieran Mistry shares his actuarial journey with us, from Deloitte to Hymans and finally, the award-winning Bulk Purchase Annuity (BPA) insurer, Standard Life in January 2022 – the last 2.5 years have been very busy in the BPA market!

Keiran describes the difference between being an actuary advising the trustee side of a BPA deal to being an actuary acting for the insurer, before offering some sage advice to nearly/newly-qualified actuaries, including:

“…Look for opportunities to grow and learn. If you're learning, I have a view that things w...

🎙️ Get ready for a special Ask the Actuary episode of BWD’s In The Know podcast! This time, we're joined by Adrienne (Ostroff) Lieberthal – the powerhouse CEO and Founder of Athena Actuarial Consulting and co-founder of NAWA (Network of Actuarial Women and Allies), boasting over 3,000 followers across the US.

🚀 Tune in to hear Adrienne's inspiring journey from her days as a college athlete in Philadelphia to conquering the actuarial world. Discover how she leveraged her competitive edge to ace those tough exams and land her first roles in the field.

🎉 Life took a thrilling turn...

Here’s Part II of our latest "In the Know" podcast featuring Dave Robinson FCCA APFS MCSI TEP LLAA IMC 🎙️✨

By any metric, Dave has been remarkably successful in the financial planning industry, and in this episode, we discuss his blueprint for building a successful financial advisory firm.

Here are some key highlights:

🔹 Reflections on SJP: We discuss the feedback from the first podcast.

🔹 Building a Successful Business: Learn the core principles and strategies that have defined Dave's career and contributed to his firm's success.

🔹 Specialisation and Collaboration...