IFA Talk

Podcast #165: The real value of financial planning beyond short-term performance, with First Wealth’s Anthony Villis

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, Jenny Hunter, Deputy Editor of IFA Magazine, and Editor Sue Whitbread are joined by Anthony Villis, Managing Director and co-founder of First Wealth, to discuss the real value of financial planning.

While investment performance often dominates client conversations, the discussion explores how the true value advisers provide often lies elsewhere. Anthony shares his thoughts on how advisers can move conversations beyond short-term returns and towards purpose, long-term goals and better financial decision-making.

The episode also touches on the role of human behaviour in how people manage their money. Anthony explains how biases and emotions can influence client decisions, and how advisers can help clients stay focused on the bigger picture during times of uncertainty or market volatility.

We wrapped things up by considering what a great long-term adviser might look like in the future, and how the profession may continue to evolve as planning, behavioural coaching and deeper client relationships become even more important.

We could have chatted to Anthony for much longer than we had time for, so I’m sure we’ll see him again on the podcast soon to chat about even more interesting topics.

Podcast #164: Guiding clients through market uncertainty, with Tyndall’s James Sullivan

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, we unpack one of the biggest challengers facing advisers; helping clients stay calm when markets become uncertain.

In such turbulent times, good advice really matters, not just in terms of building financial plans, but in helping clients manage the emotional side of investing and avoid making mistakes from short-term overreactions.

This week, James Sullivan, Head of Partnerships at Tyndall Investment Management, joins us to discuss how advisers can prepare clients for turbulent periods, communicate effectively during uncertainty, and keep conversations focused on long-term outcomes.

NI&P Podcast #22: Supporting clients through cancer - are advisers doing enough? with Reframe Cancer's Mark Stephenson

Now live: This month’s New Insurance & Protection special edition of IFA Talk tackles a critical question for advisers: how can clients be best supported through a cancer diagnosis, and what role should protection planning play in that journey?

In this episode, Meg Bratley and Jenny Hunter are joined by Mark Stephenson, CEO of Reframe Cancer, to discuss how advisers can help clients navigate cancer support, the evolving landscape of patient needs, and where opportunities lie for proactive guidance and tailored protection solutions.

What this episode covers

• Key shifts in cancer care and patient expectations that advisers should be aware of

• How advisers and insurers can improve support during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery

• The role of specialist cancer navigation and why it can make a real difference for clients

• Practical opportunities and challenges for advisers over the next 12–18 months

This episode is essential listening for advisers looking to enhance their client support offering, understand the practical impact of a cancer diagnosis, and explore how tailored protection solutions can provide reassurance and guidance when clients need it most. In a market where empathy, expertise, and proactive guidance matter more than ever, this episode underscores why being equipped to support clients through serious illness is not just good pra

Podcast #163: How AI is helping advisers to work smarter, with PlannerPal’s Mark Whitcroft

AI continues to dominate conversations across the advice profession and it remains one of the most popular topics with readers of IFA Magazine. But beyond the hype, what does AI actually mean for financial advisers in practice? Is it friend or foe?

In the latest episode of the IFA Talk podcast, hosts Sue Whitbread and Matt Williams explore how AI is beginning to reshape the advice process. Joining them is Mark Whitcroft, CEO and co-founder of PlannerPal, an AI-powered workflow tool designed for financial advisers and wealth managers.

What AI means for advisers

PlannerPal helps firms automate and streamline time consuming processes such as meeting notes, document reviews and CRM updates, working alongside the systems advisers already use. In this conversation, Mark shares what he is seeing as more advice firms start integrating AI into their businesses.

Together they discuss how AI is changing advisers’ day to day work, the common mistakes firms make when adopting new technology, and how AI could improve outcomes for clients.

Protecting the human side of advice

They also address the big question many advisers are asking, whether AI could threaten the human side of advice. As the discussion highlights, the real opportunity may lie in using technology to reduce admin and give advisers more time to focus on their clients.

 

M&PI Podcast #25: Near Prime mortgage trends and the evolving role of lenders, with Atom Bank’s Richard Harrison

Now live: The latest Mortgage & Property Investment special edition of IFA Talk explores the evolving Near Prime mortgage market and the ways lenders and technology are supporting borrowers with adverse credit.

In this episode, hosts Meg Bratley and Jenny Hunter are joined by Richard Harrison, Head of Mortgages at Atom Bank. Richard shares his insights into the rising activity in the Near Prime segment, the challenges advisers face when working with these clients, and practical approaches lenders are taking to help borrowers rebuild their credit and gradually regain Prime status. 

Key discussion points include:

• The factors driving growth in the Near Prime mortgage market

• How technology is improving the experience for advisers and borrowers in the adverse credit space

• Common challenges advisers encounter when supporting Near Prime clients

• Lender strategies to help borrowers rebuild credit and progress towards Prime status

• Practical guidance for advisers on collaborating with lenders in this dynamic market

This episode provides valuable insight for brokers and mortgage professionals navigating the Near Prime segment, offering guidance on trends, technology, and lender approaches that can help advisers support clients with more complex credit profiles.

Be sure to check out this episode and all other episodes of IFA Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon, and visit the Mortgage & Property tab on the IFA Magazine website for the latest news and insights.

Podcast #162: Surviving the current market storm, with Royal London’s Trevor Greetham

Markets have been shaken again with the continuing war in the Gulf adding fresh uncertainty for advisers and clients alike. With the busy end of the tax year period already underway, many advisers will also be fielding anxious calls from clients asking what they should be doing with their portfolios.

Recording this episode of IFA Talk on March 9^th, Sue and Matt speak with Trevor Greetham, Head of Multi Asset at Royal London Asset Management, about how advisers should approach long-term investment strategies during periods of heightened market volatility, such as we’re seeing right now.

The conversation explores the importance of diversification at a time when traditional asset relationships have been tested, the potential role of alternatives such as property and commodities, and the growing risk of “spikeflation” driven by energy markets and geopolitics.

Trevor also explains how his Investment Clock framework can help advisers interpret the economic cycle and think about active asset allocation in a more uncertain environment.

TEI Podcast #12: Unpacking last-minute BR allowance changes and the complex estate planning landscape, with Octopus Investments’ Toyin Oyeneyin

In this month’s special Tax-Efficient Investment edition of IFA Talk, in partnership with Octopus Investments, were focusing on the last-minute changes to the proposed unquoted Business Relief allowance.

Joining us to do this is Toyin Oyeneyin, Tax Product Specialist at Octopus Investments. This will be Toyin’s third time on the podcast, having joined us most recently alongside her colleague Tim Dickens for our January episode, which was recorded shortly after the Budget in December.

That episode was recorded just days before the government’s change to the proposed unquoted Business Relief allowance, increasing it from £1 million to £2.5 million.

In today’s episode, we unpack that change, along with the upcoming reduction of IHT relief on AIM shares, which will decrease to 50% from next month. Toyin also explains how advisers should navigate the complex estate planning landscape, and what these changes mean from an intergenerational perspective.

Podcast #161: The emotional side of retirement | What great advisers do differently, with former financial planner, James Woodfall

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, IFA Magazine’s weekly podcast, we’re diving into retirement planning with a difference, looking at both the psychology of it and the financial aspects.

Supporting clients with retirement planning is a key area of every financial adviser’s business, but the best advisers go a step further. Joining us to explore this topic is James Woodfall, a former financial adviser who has done some interesting work on retirement psychology.

Together, we discuss James’ recent research into retirement psychology, what advisers are doing to help their clients transition to retirement successfully, and what advisers should consider doing more of, to help their clients thrive in their retirement.

 

Podcast #160: How data will shape the future of advice, with Dynamic Planner’s Rowan Whittington

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, IFA Magazine’s weekly podcast, we focus on data, talking about how advisers can turn raw client information into really personalised financial planning.

Joining us to do so is by Rowan Whittington, Chief Product Officer at Dynamic Planner. Rowan sits on the Senior Leadership Team and leads on new and emerging initiatives across the business. She’s got a particular focus on Tram, their white-labelled mobile app designed to support digital advice journeys.

Together, we’ll discuss what ‘good data’ really looks like inside a modern advice business, and how client behaviour is changing with the real-time digital access they have now.

Along with that, we’ll also dive into the ever-present topic of AI, asking what the next five years of AI and automation might mean for data-led advice.

 

 

NI&P Podcast #21: Is whole of life the only solution for long-term IHT? with JLHO's Ken Maxwell

Now live: This month’s New Insurance & Protection special edition of IFA Talk explores a key question for advisers: in protection terms, is whole of life the only solution for long-term inheritance tax planning?

Hosts Meg Bratley and Sue Whitbread are joined by Ken Maxwell, Director at JLHO, as the company marks its 65th anniversary, to reflect on how protection advice has evolved over the decades, how today’s market compares to previous cycles, and what advisers should be focusing on when structuring high-value cover.

What this episode covers

The discussion explores whether whole of life remains the default solution for long-term IHT planning, how advisers can combine term and whole of life policies to manage premiums effectively, and why insurer capacity and contract flexibility remain important considerations in today’s market.

Drawing on decades of experience, Ken shares practical insights into building robust, client-focused protection strategies designed to stand the test of time.