Foster Denovo Talks

Foster Denovo ltd
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Foster Denovo Talks wealth, work and wellbeing Foster Denovo Talks is the new podcast from Foster Denovo that champions work, wealth and wellbeing. Designed as a versatile, multi-series platform, FD Talks brings together insightful conversations tailored for financial advisers, HR professionals, business leaders, and clients.Foster Denovo Talks wealth and work is Foster Denovo’s dedicated podcast series that delves into private wealth management and talent acquisition. Hosted by Helena Bogdanovski, Director of Private Wealth, each episode features our experienced hosts in candid conversation with key company figures, discussing adviser recruitment, career progression and the strategic approaches that underpin success in private wealth. Presented in a warm, personable tone with clear, jargon‐free language, Foster Denovo Talks reflects our deep industry expertise while keeping the dialogue straightforward and engaging. 

  1. Oct 14

    Business ethics beyond compliance: Ben Wilberforce-Ritchie on values, risk and better decisions

    What does it really mean to be an ethical business?  In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena is joined by Ben Wilberforce-Ritchie to explore business ethics, values, integrity and how organisations can make better decisions before things go wrong.  Ben shares how his career moved from philosophy into aerospace and defence, where he developed a practical interest in business ethics, procurement, audit, project management and integrity. He explains why ethics should not be treated as a tick-box exercise or something that only appears after a crisis.  Together, Helena and Ben discuss why compliance alone is not enough, why organisations often assume they are doing the right thing until something proves otherwise, and how ethical decision-making can help reduce risk while also improving culture, collaboration and trust.  They also explore the importance of clear values, independent challenge, communication and employee engagement, as well as how ethics connects to areas such as diversity and inclusion, sustainability and AI.  Ben closes the episode with a simple framework for difficult decisions: rules, care, ends and character.  In this episode  What business ethics means in practice Why ethics is not the same as compliance How good organisations can drift away from their purpose Why values need to be clearly defined and evidenced How ethical decision-making can help reduce organisational risk Why ethics should not be outsourced to one person or one team How leaders can embed ethics without making it feel forced Why communication matters when introducing values-led change How ethics connects to diversity, sustainability and AI Ben's four-part approach to difficult decisions: rules, care, ends and character YouTube description

    Business ethics beyond compliance: Ben Wilberforce-Ritchie on values, risk and better decisions

  2. Sep 16

    Why adviser marketing needs strategy before tactics | Phil Bray on social proof, websites and referrals

    Marketing can be one of the biggest growth drivers for financial advice firms, but only when it is approached properly.  In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena is joined by Phil Bray, founder of The Yardstick Agency, to explore what advice firms often get wrong when it comes to marketing, and what they should be focusing on instead.  Phil explains why firms can be too quick to jump into tactics, such as SEO, paid ads or social media, without first understanding who they want to work with, what they want to achieve, and whether their marketing foundations are strong enough.  They discuss why social proof matters so much in a profession that still faces trust issues, why testimonial pages may not be doing the job firms think they are, and how reviews, client videos, website messaging and referral strategies can help firms stand out.  The conversation also explores the role of social media in a regulated industry, how AI is changing the way consumers search for advice firms, and why marketing return on investment should be looked at strategically, rather than expecting every single pound to be perfectly attributable.  In this episode:  Why strategy needs to come before marketing tactics What advice firms should be clear on before launching campaigns Why social proof is such a powerful differentiator Why testimonial pages may not be enough How adviser websites can better reflect what clients are actually looking for Why referrals deserve a proper strategy How compliance can affect social media creativity How AI is changing the consumer search journey Why marketing ROI is not always as simple as pound-for-pound attribution

    Why adviser marketing needs strategy before tactics | Phil Bray on social proof, websites and referrals

  3. Aug 19

    Why clients avoid financial advice: Dr Phil Courtenay on behaviour, anxiety and trust

    Why do people avoid financial advice, even when they know they might need it?  In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena is joined by Dr Phil Courtenay to explore the psychology behind financial decisions, client behaviour and the barriers that stop people from taking action.  Phil explains why clients do not always optimise for the spreadsheet, why anxiety plays such a powerful role in financial advice, and how advisers can unintentionally overwhelm clients by focusing too heavily on what has gone wrong.  They discuss why people procrastinate after seemingly positive meetings, how advisers can design client experiences around emotion, and why the role of the adviser is shifting from being the holder of information to helping clients filter noise and make better decisions.  The conversation also explores how clients are using AI before, during and after advice conversations, why that does not have to be a threat, and how firms can think more carefully about the value they create in an increasingly efficient world.  Phil also shares practical insight on referrals, including why asking clients if they “know anyone who might benefit” is often too vague, too lazy and too much cognitive effort for the client.  In this episode:  Why people avoid engaging with financial advice How anxiety affects client behaviour and decision-making Why clients can freeze after a positive advice meeting The difference between designing for outcomes and designing for emotion How AI is changing the way clients prepare for advice conversations Why efficiency can sometimes reduce perceived value What advisers often get wrong when asking for referrals Why satisfied clients do not automatically become referring clients

    Why clients avoid financial advice: Dr Phil Courtenay on behaviour, anxiety and trust

  4. Jul 22

    Is agentic AI the future of wealth management? Ed Beckett on advisers, automation and client trust

    AI is moving quickly, but in wealth management, the real question is not simply whether firms are using it, it is whether they are using it in a way that actually improves the client experience.  In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena is joined by Ed Beckett, co-founder of Palindrome, to explore how agentic AI is already starting to reshape the way wealth management firms work.  Ed explains the difference between basic AI tools, such as note-takers and chatbots, and a more connected agentic AI approach, where data, processes and human oversight all work together.  They discuss why wealth management is so well suited to AI, how firms can move beyond point solutions, and why the real opportunity is not replacing advisers, but giving them more time, better insight and stronger recall.  The conversation also explores personalisation, governance, client trust, human accountability, and why the firms that get this right will be the ones that use AI as part of their wider growth strategy, rather than treating it as a shiny side project.  In this episode:  Why wealth management is so well suited to AI The difference between generative AI and agentic AI Why note-takers are only a gateway into AI How AI can support more personalised client experiences Why human oversight and accountability still matter What agentic AI could change about the adviser’s role Why firms need a growth strategy with AI in it, not just an AI strategy

    Is agentic AI the future of wealth management? Ed Beckett on advisers, automation and client trust

  5. Jun 17

    Has sustainable investing become a dirty word? | Gavin Francis on what advisers should be asking clients

    Sustainable investing has become one of the most talked-about areas in financial advice, but also one of the most misunderstood.  In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena is joined by Gavin Francis, founder of Worthstone, to cut through the noise around sustainable investing and explore what it really means in 2026.  They discuss why sustainability can still feel cliquey, overly technical or politically charged, and why advisers may be missing important client conversations by avoiding the topic altogether.  Gavin shares why sustainable investing is not about being perfect, why it does not need to be an all-or-nothing decision, and how advisers can approach the conversation in a more practical and relevant way.  The conversation also explores performance concerns, investment cycles, client preferences, the great wealth transfer, and why sustainability should be seen as a lens across investment decisions rather than a separate niche.  In this episode:  👉 What sustainable investing really means in 2026  👉 Why sustainability can still feel like a “dirty word”  👉 How advisers can approach client conversations with more confidence  👉 Why performance and cost concerns may be more nuanced than they first appear  👉 How younger generations are shaping client expectations  👉 Why sustainable investing does not have to be all or nothing  👉 How everyday examples, from coffee to chocolate, can make the conversation more relevant

    Has sustainable investing become a dirty word? | Gavin Francis on what advisers should be asking clients

  6. May 20

    Is emotional intelligence the real differentiator in financial advice?

    What makes a great financial adviser? For years, the focus has been on technical expertise. But as the industry evolves, that may no longer be enough on its own. In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena is joined by Emma Boardwell, founder of Emotional Finance, to explore how emotional intelligence, trust and human connection are becoming the true differentiators in financial advice. Drawing on her background as a psychotherapist, Emma shares why the profession often overlooks relational skills, how this impacts client outcomes, and what advisers can do to build stronger, more effective relationships. They unpack her framework built around trust, connection and collaboration, and discuss how advisers can move away from interrogation-style conversations towards something far more client-led. The conversation also explores the risks of becoming either too technical or too therapeutic, and how finding the right balance is key to delivering real value. In this episode: Why technical expertise alone is no longer enoughHow to build trust intentionally rather than assuming itThe difference between knowing a client and making them feel knownWhy many advisers struggle with emotional conversationsHow to balance professionalism without becoming a therapistWhat emotional intelligence looks like in practice

    Is emotional intelligence the real differentiator in financial advice?

  7. Apr 21

    AI in financial advice | why it won’t drive growth on its own

    AI is rapidly becoming part of the conversation across financial advice but turning it into something that genuinely supports growth is another challenge entirely.  In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena sits down with Gary Abela to explore how firms should be thinking about AI in a more practical and strategic way.  Drawing on his experience across both financial services and technology, Gary shares why AI should not be treated as a standalone solution, where firms are going wrong, and what a more effective approach looks like.  They also explore how stepping outside the industry shaped Gary’s perspective, and whether the current pace of AI adoption could be leading towards a bubble.  In this episode:  Why AI should support strategy, not replace it Where firms are falling short with AI adoption The link between AI, efficiency and growth How different experiences shape better decision making Whether the industry is heading towards an AI bubble

    AI in financial advice | why it won’t drive growth on its own

  8. Mar 18

    Seb Balrow on Becoming a Financial Adviser at 23 and Building a Self-Employed Practice

    In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena is joined by Seb Balrow, who shares how he went from cold calling straight out of university to becoming a self-employed financial adviser at just 23.  Seb talks about resilience, rejection and deliberately putting himself in uncomfortable situations to accelerate his growth. He reflects on qualifying while working full time, managing imposter syndrome in early client meetings and adjusting to a more complex proposition after joining Foster Denovo.  He also opens up about the influence of his grandfather, whose work ethic shaped his mindset around ambition and responsibility.  🎧 In this episode:  • From university to cold calling 100 people a day   • Qualifying within eight months while working full time  • Advising clients at 23 and overcoming imposter syndrome  • Why he chose Foster Denovo and what he looked for in a firm   • Adjusting to high net worth clients and a new proposition   • Advice for young people considering financial planning

    Seb Balrow on Becoming a Financial Adviser at 23 and Building a Self-Employed Practice
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About

Foster Denovo Talks wealth, work and wellbeing Foster Denovo Talks is the new podcast from Foster Denovo that champions work, wealth and wellbeing. Designed as a versatile, multi-series platform, FD Talks brings together insightful conversations tailored for financial advisers, HR professionals, business leaders, and clients.Foster Denovo Talks wealth and work is Foster Denovo’s dedicated podcast series that delves into private wealth management and talent acquisition. Hosted by Helena Bogdanovski, Director of Private Wealth, each episode features our experienced hosts in candid conversation with key company figures, discussing adviser recruitment, career progression and the strategic approaches that underpin success in private wealth. Presented in a warm, personable tone with clear, jargon‐free language, Foster Denovo Talks reflects our deep industry expertise while keeping the dialogue straightforward and engaging. 

Information

  • Creator
    Foster Denovo ltd
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Foster Denovo Talks
  • Show Website
    Foster Denovo Talks