IFA Talk

Podcast #149: Smarter retirement strategies for your clients, with Andrew Lewis, Senior Investment Director at Brooks Macdonald

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, Matt Williams and Jenny Hunter dive into one of the most important and complex areas of financial planning, helping clients manage risk and income throughout retirement.

Joining them is Andrew Lewis, Senior Investment Director at Brooks Macdonald, who shares his thoughts on how advisers can design smarter, more resilient retirement strategies that adapt to clients’ changing needs.

Andrew talks about the main risks retirees face today, from longevity and sequencing risk to the impact of inflation - the kind of inflation you really notice when the price of a tub of Lurpak at the supermarket gives you a shock (though other butters are, of course, available). He also unpacks the key findings from the FCA’s thematic review on retirement income and what they mean in practice for advisers supporting clients through decumulation.

The conversation rounds off with a look at how Brooks Macdonald’s Retirement Strategies can form part of a centralised retirement proposition, helping advisers deliver consistency, flexibility and stronger client outcomes.

If you’re advising clients approaching or already in retirement, this episode offers practical insights and plenty to think about as you help plan for your clients.

 

NI&P Podcast #18: helping clients make confident protection decisions, with MetLife UK’s Phil Jeynes

The latest New Insurance & Protection special edition of IFA Talk turns the spotlight onto a topic at the heart of financial wellbeing, protection.

In this episode, hosts Meg Bratley and Jenny Hunter are joined by Phil Jeynes, who leads the strategic direction of MetLife UK’s individual protection business. Phil shares his expert view on how advisers can better support clients when it comes to choosing the right type of protection and preparing for life’s unexpected events.

Highlights from this week’s episode

Helping clients make informed decisions
What advisers need to know about guiding clients through protection choices, and how to make these conversations more relevant, engaging and grounded in real-life needs.

Understanding who’s most at risk
Which groups are most vulnerable to everyday accidents or illnesses, and the financial implications that can quickly follow.

Practical support when the unexpected happens
What advisers can put in place to help ease financial pressure when clients face sudden health issues, accidents or changes in income.

This episode offers a timely and insightful discussion on why protection matters, and the crucial role advisers play in giving clients clarity, confidence and peace of mind when they need it most.

 

Podcast #148: The future of advice - Sparrows Capital’s Arnie Millington on value, trust and technology

How can advisers prove their value, close the advice gap, and embrace technology without losing the personal touch?

On this week’s episode of IFA Talk, Meg and Sue are taking a closer look at the client proposition, in particular at how advisers and planners can continue to deliver strong outcomes for clients while building a resilient business.

Joining us is Arnie Millington, Head of Business Development at Sparrows Capital. Arnie has worked across the advice space — from AJ Bell and Benchmark to 7IM — giving him a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities advisers face today.

In this conversation, Arnie shares practical insights on:

• Demonstrating value under Consumer Duty, How advisers can clearly show clients what they’re getting and justify their fees.
• The advice gap. What’s driving it and how advisers remain essential to helping clients achieve their goals.
• Technology and AI. How to embrace new tools without losing the personal, relationship-based service clients value.
• Industry consolidation. Whether the wave of mergers and acquisitions benefits clients, or risks diluting personal service.

Whether you’re running your own advice business or working in a larger firm, this episode offers real-world insights on staying relevant and effective as the profession develops.

Listen now to hear practical thinking on balancing value, technology, and personal connection in financial advice.

TEI Podcast #8: Navigating a shifting IHT landscape with confidence; Pensions, IHT and the upcoming budget, with Toyin Oyeneyin, Tax Product Specialist at Octopus Investments

In this month’s special TEI (Tax-Efficient Investment) special edition of IFA Talk, Matt and Sue take a look back at some of the key changes to IHT and pension in last year’s Autumn Budget.

With many of the new rules set to take effect from April 2026 and April 2027, advisers and clients are increasingly seeking support to navigate the changes ahead. Fortunately, joining us to unpack all of this is Toyin Oyeneyin, Tax Product Specialist at Octopus Investments. Together, we dive into the topic of IHT on pensions, before looking ahead to this year’s much-anticipated Budget.

In this episode, Toyin discusses whether the golden age of pensions is now over and outlines how the changes have affected the conversations advisers are having with their clients. She also answers whether there is still hesitancy regarding IHT planning ahead of the Budget and reveals how Octopus Investments are supporting advisers in an increasingly complex landscape.

Be sure to check out this episode and all other episodes of IFA Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon!

 

Podcast #147: Rethinking the MPS or bespoke solutions puzzle with Marlborough’s Eddie Kennedy

As the lines between model portfolio services (MPS) and bespoke investment solutions continue to blur, advisers are increasingly asking if these two approaches are really in competition, or can they actually complement each other?

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, hosts Sue Whitbread and Matt Williams are joined by Eddie Kennedy, Head of Marlborough’s Personal Portfolio Service, to explore this very question.

Eddie has plenty of experience in this field. In this conversation he not only shares his insights on how both MPS and bespoke solutions are evolving but also why framing them as opposing forces might just be missing the point.

On the agenda for this week’s conversation are:

• How the MPS landscape is changing under the lens of Consumer Duty
• Why the trend toward commoditisation could be limiting service quality
• What really defines a true bespoke service – and what advisers should look for
• How MPS and bespoke solutions can work together as part of a lifelong client journey
• Why long-term thinking, or as Eddie’s family motto puts it, “Avise la fin” (“Consider the end”), matters more than ever for advisers and clients.

As Eddie explains, Marlborough’s approach uses the same multi-asset framework to underpin both MPS and bespoke portfolios, illustrating how advisers can blend these strategies to meet evolving client needs.

Whether you’re refining your investment proposition or simply keeping an eye on industry trends, this episode offers valuable perspective on how to align service, personalisation and long-term outcomes.

Podcast #146: Should Paraplanners be more formally recognised by the FCA? Research by Derek Bradley, founder and CEO of Panacea Adviser

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, hosts Matt Williams and Jenny Hunter delve into one of the most hotly debated topics, the evolving role of the paraplanner and whether it’s time for formal FCA recognition.

They’re joined by Derek Bradley, founder and CEO of Panacea Adviser, to discuss the findings of Panacea’s latest industry survey: “Should Paraplanners be more formally recognised by the FCA?” The research sparked widespread discussion across the financial planning community, raising key questions about professional identity, accountability and the future shape of the advice process.

Would formal recognition help to elevate standards and professionalism, or would it simply add cost and complexity to an already heavily regulated sector? Derek shares his perspective on these issues, exploring the fine line between advisers’ and paraplanners’ responsibilities, and why outsourced and in-house paraplanners often have such contrasting views on the question of regulation.

The conversation also looks ahead to what the next decade could hold for paraplanners, from evolving qualifications to shifting expectations around accountability and client outcomes.

Listen now to hear Derek’s insights on Panacea’s latest research and what greater formal recognition could mean for paraplanners, and the advice profession as a whole.

M&PI Podcast #20: Evolving opportunities in specialist lending, with Inspired Lending’s Gavin Diamond

The latest Mortgage & Property Investment special edition of IFA Talk explores how specialist lending is helping advisers support clients with increasingly complex financial needs.

In this episode, Meg and Sue are joined by Gavin Diamond, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Inspired Lending. With over 15 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across the short-term and specialist lending industry, Gavin shares his expert insights into how bridging and specialist finance can empower advisers to deliver tailored solutions for clients with diverse and evolving financial profiles.

 

Highlights from this week’s episode

Specialist lending for complex clients: Gavin discusses how bridging and short-term finance are becoming essential tools for advisers supporting clients with complex asset structures, liquidity challenges, and time-sensitive funding needs.

Timing and market confidence: Drawing on recent market insights, Gavin explains why “stability is not a slowdown” and how today’s environment is laying the foundations for renewed long-term confidence in specialist finance.

Supporting complex refurb and conversion projects: From office-to-residential conversions to portfolio repositioning, Gavin outlines how Inspired Lending structures loans that blend investment and development strategies to support clients’ ambitions.

Understanding borrower behaviour and adviser value: Bridging lenders often gain a unique perspective on borrower decision-making under pressure. Gavin shares lessons on liquidity management, opportunity recognition, and how advisers can deepen client relationships through these insights.

Building stronger partnerships with wealth managers: As client needs grow more complex, the lines between brokers, advisers, and wealth managers continue to blur. Gavin explores how collaboration and shared understanding can unlock better outcomes for clients across the wealth spectrum.

This episode offers a fascinating look at how specialist lending continues to evolve, highlighting the opportunities it presents for advisers to deliver truly bespoke solutions in a changing market.

Podcast #145: Delivering value through multi-asset investing; a look inside the Scottish Widows Managed Growth Funds with Mithesh Varsani, Head of Investment Solutions

Multi-asset investing continues to sit at the heart of effective portfolio construction, helping advisers deliver diversification, risk alignment and consistent outcomes for their clients. But how can advisers be confident that the multi-asset solutions they choose really deliver long-term value?

In this latest episode of IFA Talk, Matt Williams and Sue Whitbread are joined by Mithesh Varsani, Head of Investment Solutions at Scottish Widows, to discuss the evolving multi-asset landscape and the role of the Scottish Widows Managed Growth Funds in supporting advisers and their clients.

Listen in as they discuss:

• Why multi-asset investing remains so critical in today’s uncertain markets
• How Scottish Widows’ Managed Growth Funds deliver diversification, governance and value, all with an OCF of just 0.10%
• The importance of trust and confidence for advisers when selecting investment partners
• How Scottish Widows’ long history and investment expertise can help advisers meet clients’ evolving needs

As advisers continue to manage changing client priorities, from sustainability considerations to income needs in retirement, having an investment partner which can evolve with you is essential. Mithesh shares his insights on how Scottish Widows is doing just that: combining innovation, robust risk management and clear alignment to client outcomes.

Be sure to check out this episode and all other episodes of IFA Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon!

 

TEI Podcast #7: How advisers should be preparing for IHT and pension reforms with Praetura Investments’ Jon Prescott

In this month’s special TEI (Tax-Efficient Investment) special edition of IFA Talk, Matt and Jenny dive into a topic which is front of mind for many advisers right now, and that is changes to Inheritance Tax, pension and business relief, and what they might mean for long-term planning.

To do this, Jon Prescott, Partner at Praetura Investments, joins us. He reveals how these reforms could reshape strategies around tax-efficient investing, and what advisers need to know to stay ahead.

We also discuss how business relief can still play a role in a well-diversified estate plan, the necessary changes to ensure it be used effectively going forward, and why it is essential for advisers and their clients to take action sooner rather than later.

Podcast #144: Emotional Intelligence and adviser success: Practical tips from a former adviser, with James Woodfall

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, Matt and Sue are exploring a skill that every great financial adviser needs, but that doesn’t often get talked about enough: emotional intelligence. 

Often labelled a ‘soft skill’, emotional intelligence (EI) is anything but soft when it comes to its impact on adviser success. It can be the difference between being a good adviser and a great one. 

Joining us for this cracker of a conversation is James Woodfall, a former financial planner and founder of Raise Your EI. James has been doing some fascinating work on how emotional intelligence influences adviser performance, client relationships, and business outcomes. 

Together, they explore: 

• How emotional intelligence gives advisers a competitive edge in today’s market 

• Ways to apply EI to support clients through uncertainty and change 

• Why developing EI is crucial for handling difficult conversations and reading client cues effectively 

As Matt puts it: “It’s one of those skills that underpins everything advisers do. Building trust and rapport, establishing long term relationships, EI is at the heart of great advice.” 

Whether you’re leading client conversations, mentoring junior colleagues, or steering your business through volatile markets, this episode offers practical insight into the human side of financial advice. 

Listen now to hear how you can raise your own EI and strengthen the relationships that drive long-term success.