IFA Talk

I&P Podcast #11: Why advisers should be talking more about pensions and protection in 2025 – with Royal London’s Clare Moffat

The Autumn Budget shook things up when the Chancellor announced plans to bring pensions into the inheritance tax (IHT) net from April 2027. This shift has sparked big questions for advisers, especially around balancing pension strategies with protection planning.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How the IHT changes impact pension planning — especially for clients with larger pension pots.
• Why protection policies are set to play a bigger role in client conversations.
• Practical insights and strategies from today’s guest - pensions expert Clare Moffat, Head of Technical and Marketing compliance at Royal London.

Clare joins hosts Sue and Jenny to break down what advisers need to know and how they can best support their clients through these changes.

Tune in for expert analysis and actionable takeaways to help you navigate the evolving landscape of pensions and protection.

Listen now for plenty of practical insight on these key topics HERE

Podcast #113: The gender gap in finance - Jenny Segal addresses the barriers, solutions, and the business case for equity

In this episode of IFA Talk, we’re tackling one of the biggest issues in financial services today: the gender gap. While progress has been made, women in finance still face significant barriers to leadership, a persistent gender pay gap, and a workplace culture that often overlooks their contributions. But this isn’t just a matter of fairness—it’s a business imperative.

Joining Jenny and Sue for this discussion is Jenny Segal, a business leader, actuary, and workplace culture expert with over 25 years of experience in investment markets. With four books to her name and a deep passion for motivating teams and improving workplace culture, Jenny brings valuable insights into how firms can move beyond box-ticking and drive real change.

Following last week's International Women’s Day, this episode explores the most pressing challenges facing women in finance today, from the impact of workplace policies and leadership barriers to the need for financial products designed with women in mind. We’ll also discuss why companies that embrace gender diversity outperform their peers—and what needs to happen to turn awareness into meaningful action.

Tune in now for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation on the future of gender equity in finance.

You can find more IWD coverage using the following link: https://ifamagazine.com/category/international-womens-day/

 

Podcast #112 | Mind the gap: empowering women investors with Barclays' Clare Francis for #IWD2025

In honour of last Saturday’s International Women's Day, IFA Magazine is excited to share this special edition of our weekly podcast, IFA Talk, focusing on strategies to bridge the gender investing gap.

Recent data from Barclays Smart Investor indicates that women are disproportionately at risk of falling through the "advice gap" when it comes to investing.

In this episode, hosts Sue and Meg are joined by Clare Francis, Director of Savings and Investments at Barclays. Clare shares her unique journey from journalism to finance and delves into the findings of Barclays' latest research on female investment trends.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on empowering women in the financial landscape and practical steps to promote gender parity in investing.

Check out our conversation with Clare on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Podcast #111: #IWD25 special with The Apprentice winner Yasmina Siadatan (Dynamic Planner)

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re bringing you a special episode of IFA Talk, the weekly podcast from IFA Magazine. This time, we’re shining a well-deserved spotlight on the incredible contributions of women in financial services.

Join Jenny Hunter and Sue Whitbread as they sit down with Yasmina Siadatan, Chief Revenue Officer at Dynamic Planner – and winner of The Apprentice back in 2009! Yasmina shares her thoughts on gender equality in financial services, the progress made, and the challenges that remain in helping more women step into leadership roles.

The conversation explores what International Women’s Day means to Yasmina and why it matters across all professions. She reflects on the growing presence (or not in some cases) of women in leadership roles within financial services, the impact of role models and mentorship, and the advice she would give to her younger self.

With this year’s theme of #AccelerateAction, the discussion also focuses on the practical steps businesses and individuals can take to promote diversity and inclusion beyond just one day of recognition.

This engaging and thought-provoking episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of financial services and the role of women in shaping it.

M&P Podcast #14: Are you up to date with later life lending options? Featuring Sanjay Gadhia, Standard Life Home Finance

Later life lending is evolving rapidly, with new products, changing regulations, and growing opportunities for advisers and their clients.

In this special Mortgage and Property edition of IFA Talk, we’re joined by Sanjay Gadhia, Head of Sales at Standard Life Home Finance, who brings his expertise and passion for supporting advisers in this important market.

We explore how borrower needs are shifting, the latest product innovations, key regulatory changes, and some practical tips to stay ahead in the later life lending space.

Whether you're already advising in this area or looking to expand your services, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the evolving landscape and deliver the best outcomes for your clients.

Inheritance tax advice is a specialist area and it is recommended for clients to seek independent advice from a taxation specialist.

Podcast #110: The growing appeal of insurance bonds, tax-efficient strategies and the fast-approaching TYE with M&G's Mark Devlin

In this episode of IFA Talk, Jenny and Sue are diving into the evolving financial landscape and what it means for advisers and their clients. With tax and pension changes following the 2024 Autumn Budget, it’s more important than ever for advisers to stay informed on the latest trends and opportunities in financial planning.

To discuss these developments, we’re joined by Mark Devlin, Senior Technical Manager at M&G. Mark shares his expert insights on the key tax and pension implications of the budget and how advisers can navigate these changes effectively.

A key focus of this discussion is the rising popularity of insurance bonds, both onshore and offshore. Why are they becoming an increasingly attractive investment solution? What tax benefits do they offer? And how can advisers build a deeper understanding of these products to better serve their clients? Mark answers these questions and more, providing practical strategies for incorporating insurance bonds into financial planning.

Finally, we take a look at the fast-approaching tax year-end deadline and his useful tips, resources and tools that will help advisers support their clients even more at the time of year.

Podcast #109: What advisers need to know about the changing face of retirement income planning in 2025 — with BNY Investments’ Richard Parkin

Retirement income planning is evolving fast — and staying ahead of the curve is crucial for advisers.

With the FCA’s retirement income advice review sparking big conversations last year, 2025 brings even more focus from the regulator on ensuring firms deliver the best outcomes for clients. The regulator is watching closely, so it’s essential to stay informed and ready for change.

In this week’s episode, we welcome back Richard Parkin, Head of Retirement at BNY Investments. Richard is a trusted expert in the field, known for his deep insights and practical knowledge on the subject of retirement income planning.

Join Richard, Sue, and Matt as they break down the findings of new research from BNY Investments and NextWealth: “Retirement Advice in the UK: Time for Change?” They explore the evolving role of advisers, the latest industry challenges, and what it all means for you and your practice in 2025. 

If you want to navigate the shifting landscape of retirement advice with confidence, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and get the insights you need to thrive in 2025.

I&P Podcast #10: What is driving increased demand and strong growth in Income Protection? With Shelley Read of Royal London

In this episode of IFA Talk, we explore the rising demand for income protection and what is driving its strong growth over the past 12 months. To help us unpack this topic, we are joined by Shelley Read, Senior Protection Technical Manager at Royal London.

Shelley shares her expert insights into the factors influencing this increase, how advisers can best support clients in navigating income protection solutions, and the role of income protection in holistic financial planning. Throughout the discussion, we explore practical tips for applying for income protection, how advisers can guide clients through the claims process, and the support available for those having these important conversations with clients.

Shelley has joined us on IFA Talk many times before, and we are delighted to welcome her back to share her extensive knowledge once again. She provides valuable takeaways for advisers looking to strengthen their income protection conversations and help clients understand the importance of securing their financial future.

This episode offers key insights into the changing landscape of income protection and the role it plays within financial advice. Tune in now to hear the full discussion.

 

TEI Podcast #3: 30 years of VCTs - The past, present and future

Welcome to a special episode of IFA Talk in partnership with TEI Magazine. In this discussion, we take a deep dive into Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) as they mark their 30th anniversary.

How have they evolved since their inception? Why do they remain relevant in today’s investment landscape? And what does the future hold?

To answer these questions, IFA Magazine’s Senior Financial Journalist, Jenny Hunter, and TEI/IFA’s Content Editor, Matt Williams, are joined by Will Fraser-Allen, Managing Partner at Albion Capital Group.

Together, they explore how the VCT landscape has changed over the past three decades and what this means for investors today. They discuss the latest fundraising trends, investor sentiment and the outlook for Albion’s current raise. Will also shares insights into the types of investors looking at VCTs and why advisers should consider them for their clients.

This episode provides valuable insights into how these investment vehicles continue to adapt and thrive.

Listen now to hear the full discussion and gain expert perspectives on the past, present and future of VCTs.

Podcast #108: Three ways IFAs can enhance their advisory portfolios – with Collidr’s Symon Stickney

Many financial advisers are turning to outsourced investment solutions—but for those who prefer to keep full control in-house, the challenges are different. Can technology help? If so, how? What are the key obstacles, and how can advisers overcome them?

In this episode, we dive into these pressing questions with Symon Stickney, Founder and CEO of Collidr, a true innovator in the investment space.