IFA Talk

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, the weekly podcast from IFA Magazine, we discuss what needs to change to bring more consumers into investing. Joining us to do this is PIMFA’s Director of Government Relations and Policy, David Ostojitsch.

Despite the government’s clear focus on pushing retail investing and closing the advice gap, there are clearly still some barriers in the way. David reveals what he thinks needs to change to bring more consumers into investing.

He then moves on to discuss PIMFA’s latest research, which found that 63% of firms don’t currently plan to offer Targeted Support, even though they think it will support people to make better financial decisions. David answers why he believes the adoption rate is so low, before outlining what clarity firms need before moving forward with simplified advice.

Lastly, we ask David whether there is a genuine shift in regulatory pressures, which appear to have eased slightly. He shares advice for advisers, outlining what they should focus on over the next 12 months.

In this month’s special Tax-Efficient Investment edition of IFA Talk, the podcast from IFA Magazine, we are joined by PXN Group’s Caroline Flagg to discuss the big opportunities in tax-efficient investing, in particular surrounding Business Relief.

Caroline, who is Deputy Managing Director of the PXN Investments retail business, joins us to discuss the everchanging role of Business Relief in tax-efficient investing, with new changes set to take effect from April 2027. She also recounts the recent merger of Par Equity and Praetura Ventures, which formed PXN Group, revealing what has changed for the company.

We then chat about the areas in the market where PXN sees real opportunities for advisers. And finally, Caroline outlines the key planning discussions which advisers should be having today, to prepare them for upcoming reforms.

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, the weekly podcast from IFA Magazine, we unpack intergenerational wealth transfers and the factors which might affect clients.

Joining us is Tara Gillespie, the Co-Head of Investment at Gallagher. Together, we discuss the contrasting priorities between the younger generation and their parents, along with digging down into the lessons which wealth managers can take on board.

Tara also reveals the biggest gaps in how the industry approaches the great wealth transfer.

 

 

 

 

This week on IFA Magazine’s IFA Talk podcast, we explore what keeps advisers loyal to discretionary fund managers, how retirement income planning is evolving, and whether smaller independent IFAs can still compete in a rapidly changing advice market.

To discuss this further, Meg Bratley and Jenny Hunter are joined by Ian Kloss, Head of Intermediaries at RBC Brewin Dolphin, to unpack some of the biggest themes currently shaping the adviser landscape.

What does this episode feature?

• What really drives long-term adviser loyalty to a DFM
• Why retirement income planning has become more challenging
• Whether smaller independent IFAs can still compete amid market consolidation
• How client expectations of advisers and DFMs have evolved over time
• Ian’s key takeaway for advisers navigating today’s market

The conversation explores what really strengthens long-term relationships between advisers and DFMs, and why factors such as service, trust, communication and consistency are often just as important as investment performance.

 

In the latest special Mortgage & Property edition of IFA Talk, we explore one of the more underserved areas of the UK mortgage market, with a particular focus on Islamic finance, homeownership accessibility and the growing role of specialist lending solutions.

To discuss this important topic, hosts Matt and Sue are joined by Sakeeb Zaman, Founder and CEO of StrideUp, one of the UK’s leading Islamic fintech businesses. As conversations continue around underserved borrowers, financial inclusion and innovation across the mortgage sector, this episode examines how shariah-compliant finance is evolving and what advisers and brokers should understand when supporting clients with specific faith-based requirements.

Highlights include:

· The current challenges facing Muslim borrowers in the UK mortgage market

· How brokers can better support clients seeking shariah-compliant finance solutions

· The balance between fintech innovation, scalability and remaining fully faith-aligned

· Why transparency and education remain crucial within Islamic finance

This episode provides valuable insight for advisers, brokers and mortgage professionals looking to deepen their understanding of Islamic finance and the wider conversation around accessibility, inclusion and innovation within the UK housing market.

This week on IFA Talk, Sue and Matt are joined by financial planner, Craig Palfrey, Founder at Penguin, for a conversation that goes far beyond the technical side of estate planning.

With pensions facing IHT from 2027 and intergenerational wealth planning becoming a growing focus for advisers, Craig explains why the real value of financial planning increasingly lies in human engagement, behavioural coaching and building long-term relationships with clients AND their families.

The discussion also explores why emotional intelligence and communication skills are now just as important as technical expertise, if not more so, how advisers can use AI in practical ways without losing the personal touch, and what the best advice firms will look like over the next five years.

Along the way, Craig shares practical ideas and processes advisers can implement within their own firms to strengthen client relationships and create financial plans built to stand the test of time.

In this month’s special New Insurance & Protection edition of IFA Talk, we unpack how organisations are using AI, with the help of Vitality AI’s CEO, Emile Stipp.

Together, we unpack whether the true extent of AI benefits is being overlooked, in favour of just praising its efficiency. We also discuss how AI can improve customer communication and outcomes, and what that means in the context of Consumer Duty.

Emile also reveals how Vitality AI’s extensive range of data and their recent partnership with Google can help shift insurance from reactive to proactive, before answering the big question, is there enough trust in AI today to make all of this a reality?

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, we explore how advisers can support client outcomes in an increasingly uncertain and volatile market environment.

With geopolitical tensions and global events continuing to drive market movements, advisers are once again helping clients navigate periods of instability. In this conversation, IFA Magazine’s Matt Williams and Jenny Hunter are joined by James Tothill, Investment Specialist at Wesleyan, to unpack what this means in practice for advisers and their clients today.

The discussion begins with how clients are reacting to ongoing volatility and the risks associated with short-term decision-making. As markets shift, the temptation to act quickly can be strong, but as the episode explores, these decisions can have lasting consequences for long-term financial plans.

Diversification remains a central theme, but the conversation moves beyond theory to focus on what effective diversification really looks like in today’s environment. The episode also highlights the challenges advisers face when supporting more sensitive clients, particularly those approaching or in retirement, where sequencing risk and emotional responses to market movements can be more pronounced.

The discussion is full of practical and implementable solutions as James shares insights into how smoothed funds can help manage volatility and support more consistent outcomes over time, as well as how advisers can assess suitability in the context of evolving client needs.

A timely and practical listen for advisers supporting clients through uncertain markets.

*** This episode was recorded on the 22^nd of April 2026

In this month’s special Tax-Efficient Investment edition of IFA Talk, we welcome Gresham House’s Anthony Crosbie-Dawson to the studio.

Together, we discuss the UK ‘timber gap’, a long-term investment which creates an interesting opportunity for investors and one that’s highly tax-efficient.

Anthony reveals how recent Budget changes have impacted the appeal of forestry to investors, highlights the inheritance tax benefits as well as the broader tax-efficient environment for forestry , and outlines the key attractions of investing in UK timber, along with a discussion about the main risks that investors face when investing in long term, illiquid assets such as forestry.

We also break down the pricing in secondary forestry funds, with Anthony explaining what is driving this market, and who this form of investing is most suitable for. Lastly, Anthony looks ahead, sharing his long-term outlook for the UK timber industry.

Now live: The latest episode of IFA Talk is available to listeners. This week, we explore how bespoke portfolio services and tax-efficient structuring are helping advisers deliver better client outcomes in an increasingly complex environment.

To unpack this, Meg and Sue are joined by Adam Temple, Senior Investment Director - Head of London at Brooks Macdonald. As the firm celebrates 35 years of serving clients, Adam shares how its bespoke portfolio service is designed to help advisers deliver more tailored, tax-efficient solutions while adapting to ever-changing client needs and market conditions.

This week’s conversation covers:

• Bespoke portfolio services in practice: Where BPS fits within an adviser’s proposition
• What sets BPS apart: Key differentiators in a competitive market
• Tax-smart structuring: Supporting more efficient long-term planning
• Looking ahead: How portfolio solutions are evolving with changing client needs

You can explore Brooks Macdonald’s Bespoke Portfolio Service range mentioned within the podcast here:

https://www.brooksmacdonald.com/financial-advisers/services-funds/bespoke-portfolio-service