Financial Planner Life Podcast

Sam Oakes
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Welcome to The Financial Planner Life Podcast. We cover an intimate and honest account of what it’s really like to work in the financial planning profession. Our guests share their stories of success, failures, and learnings, as well as what to expect from a career in the financial planning profession! We host guests at various stages in their careers, as well as multiple roles, to ensure that our audience has a variety each week. Financial planners, business owners, paraplanners, and back-office staff all have their own stories to share, and The Financial Planner Life podcast serves as a platform for them to discuss their personal and professional journeys. The podcast covers a multitude of topics, from mindset and motivation, health and wellbeing, all the way to diversity and inclusion. We approach each episode with the idea that it will educate and spark a conversation within the industry on topics that may not be openly discussed. If you're considering a career as a financial adviser or are curious about learning more about this exciting sector, we encourage you to give the podcast a listen. The Host: Sam Oakes is the host of The Financial Planner Life Podcast.  since 2008 Sam has been supporting leading national and global financial planning firms in finding the best talent, he was the director of Recruit UK, a 7 figure turnover financial planning recruitment company that he successfully exited in 2024, Sam now works as the Head of Creative for Hoxton wealth, building out podcasts, YouTube and social content for this fast growing fee based international financial planning firm. Sam has always had a passion for financial services, starting as a trainer for a leading product provider in the UK, and he has been in the industry for over 20 years. He sees himself as a partner to the industry and wants to contribute useful resources, such as this podcast, to educate those who are further seeking advice and help about how to push their careers forward in this amazing profession. 

  1. 6d ago

    How Tim Brienza Built a £50M Client Base Through Financial Planning

    For most financial planners, the point of entry into the industry is either from an adjacent field or by working up from admin through paraplanning roles. But not Tim. His route stands out as unconventional, but it's far from hindering his professional success.  Law school. A year in Swansea chasing training contracts that never materialised. A sales recruitment firm. And then, a client engagement role at a financial planning firm in Cheltenham, a job he recruited for without really knowing the industry.  On day one, his main question was: What exactly is financial planning? In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam sits down with Tim Brienza, a self-employed financial planner with Montpelier Asset Management, to trace the full arc of his career, from that accidental entry point to managing close to £50 million in assets under management as a chartered fellow in his mid-thirties. Tim talks with Sam about how the unique first role that gave him a bird's-eye view of the profession, before he ever gave a piece of advice, how he leapt into advice and got chartered within 12 months of his first client meeting, but most importantly, his deliberate approach to networking that built his client base over a decade without him ever chasing the wrong people in the wrong rooms. He also breaks down the reality of going self-employed and what it's like to help build a firm from scratch. He shares the tips and ambitious approach he’s adopted to propel him into a career as a financial adviser, now managing £50AUM.  Tim also explains his voluntary role with the Personal Finance Society and how their inaugural New Gen programme aims to bring more young people into a profession he believes is one of the best-kept career secrets going. The episode's key takeaways 🔥 Why an unconventional entry into financial planning can be a career superpowerHow Tim built a £50M client base through patient, peer-level networking: not chasing senior partnersWhy learning on someone else's time and money is the smartest move any entrepreneurial adviser can makeThe reality of going self-employed: the J curve, the squeaky bum moments, and what comes out the other sideWhy the relationships you build before you need them are the ones that build your businessWhat it takes to get chartered in 12 months while managing 200 clients from day oneWhy financial planning doesn't need a degree: and what it can offer people who don't know it exists yetWhether you're a young financial planner trying to figure out how to build a client base, someone considering the move to self-employment, or just curious about what a decade of unconventional decisions can produce, this episode is worth your time. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms 👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning.  Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.  Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

    1h 6m

  2. May 21

    Financial Planners Will Lose Millions, this £10 Tech can solve the Wealth Transfer Problem!

    75% of financial advisers lose their AUM when a client passes away.  Not because of bad performance. Not because of high fees. Simply because nobody built a relationship with the next generation. Ben Mason from Kinvault did something about that.  In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam sits down with Ben Mason, the founder of Kinvault, to discuss the technology he built to address one of the most overlooked risks in financial planning: intergenerational wealth transfer. Ben explains why AUM walks out the door on death, why families are being failed at their most vulnerable moments, and how a simple, white-labelled platform is changing both of those things at once. They get into the real numbers, why 25% of beneficiaries don't even know they can stay with the existing adviser, why only 4% of Gen X clients retain the family's financial adviser after inheriting, and why 90% of widows who do switch move to a female adviser. They also discuss what KinVault does for clients while they're still alive, why Ben believes this kind of solution will be a baseline industry expectation within five years, and the story of the adviser who lost £2.6 million over Christmas and called Ben in January to say he should have done it sooner. At £10 per household per year, the maths speak for themselves. Whether you manage a book of 200 clients or 2,000, if you haven't thought seriously about what happens to your AUM when your clients die, this is the episode to start with. In this episode, we discuss… Why 75% of AUM leaves on client death, and the three reasons behind itHow Kinvault builds a relationship with the next generation before it's ever neededWhat the platform does for clients during their lifetime, not just at the point of deathThe generational retention gap that should concern every adviser Why women are being left out of the financial planning process, and what that costs at the point of transferCost, implementation, and why this won't become shelfwareThe story of the adviser who lost £2.6 million over Christmas and signed up in JanuaryFinancial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms 👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning.  Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.  Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

    36 min

  3. May 15

    How Financial Planners and Investment Managers Serve Wealthy Families

    Most financial planning firms have both a financial planner and an investment manager. Far fewer have a team that operates as a single unit, with a shared philosophy, clearly defined roles, and a consistent client experience regardless of who's in the room or where the client happens to be. In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam sits down with George Davey (Financial Planner) and Matt Beddall (Regional Managing Partner) from Titan Private Wealth, to discuss what that kind of partnership looks like in practice and why it makes such a difference for the clients they work with. George manages over £100 million in client assets and specialises in repatriation work for clients returning to the UK from the Middle East. Matt spent 25 years at some of the UK's largest investment management firms before joining Titan to help build something different. Together, they argue that the relationship between a financial planner and an investment manager is among the most undervalued in the profession. George and Matt discuss what a genuine house view means for client outcomes, how their roles complement each other during client meetings, and why service will always matter more than performance when building long-term trust. They also get into the One Titan philosophy, what it means for clients who move abroad, come back to the UK, or have financial lives that span more than one country, and why very few firms can follow a client through those transitions the way Titan can. The episode's key takeaways 🔥 Why a shared investment philosophy produces better outcomes than a bespoke-for-everyone approachHow financial planners and investment managers divide roles to give clients clarity rather than confusionWhy service comes before performance, and what that looks like during volatile marketsHow Titan supports clients repatriating from the Middle East and other international marketsWhat One Titan means in practice for clients whose lives and wealth span multiple geographiesWhy long-term trust is built through consistency, not strong quartersWhat draws experienced investment managers and financial planners to Titan, and what they find when they get thereWhether you're a financial planner curious about what a true investment management partnership looks like, or an experienced investment manager wondering if there's a better place to do the work you love, this episode is worth your time. ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: George and Matt's backgrounds 5:30 - George's route into financial planning and joining Titan 12:00 - Matt's 25 years in investment management and why he made the move 19:15 - What a genuine house view means and why consistency is the product 27:40 - How financial planners and investment managers work together in practice 35:10 - Building trust with ultra-high-net-worth clients over the long term 42:25 - Repatriation work and the complexity of worldwide  clients 50:00 Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms 👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning.  Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.  Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

    55 min

  4. May 7

    I left St James's Place for an IFA and Instantly Regretted it!

    Should technical professionals go freelance immediately or start as employed advisers? Alwyn Van Staden's journey offers a fresh perspective on entering financial planning from a technical background. In this episode of Financial Planner Life, we chat to Alwyn about his strategic career path from investment management to financial advice. Despite having deep technical knowledge and years of experience at major firms, Alwyn made a choice to join St. James's Place as an employed adviser instead of going independent immediately. The result? He's now managing over £150 million in client assets as an independent adviser with Pinnacle Wealth Management. Alwyn shares his perspective on why employment first worked better than jumping straight into freelance life, how technical skills transfer to client success, and why building confidence matters more than rushing into independence. Sam and Alwyn discuss the real pressures of starting a financial planning career, the benefits of structured training programmes, and how employment can actually be more liberating than restrictive for career changers. The episode’s key takeaways 🔥 Why technical professionals often fear client-facing roles and the strategic benefits of being employedHow St. James's Place's training programme builds real confidence and removes business pressureWhy are technical skills becoming a competitive advantage in client relationshipsThe power of life planning through Voyant software to create visual client storiesBuilding a referral based practice through exceptional client deliveryThe transition from employed adviser to successful independent practiceWhy employment and independence are complementary career phases, not competing pathsIf you're considering a move into financial planning, especially from a technical background, this episode offers a practical blueprint for making the transition successfully. ⏱️Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and Alwyn's background  5:15 - The decision to leave technical roles for financial planning  12:30 - Why he chose St. James's Place over going independent  18:45 - The power of structured training programmes  25:10 - How technical skills translate to client success  32:20 - Building confidence through the employed route  40:15 - The transition to independence with Pinnacle Wealth  47:30 - Life planning and the Voyant software approach  55:45 - Building a referral-based practice  62:10 - Future plans and inheritance tax focus Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms 👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning.  Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.  Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

    46 min

  5. Apr 30

    Are these the Best Paid Jobs and Benefits in Financial Planning? Frazer James, The best should be paid more!!!!

    Frazer James aren't looking for every candidate. They're looking for A++ people. Check out the jobs and book a meeting with James Mackay today!! And if that's you, or if you’re also interested in attracting some of the industry’s best talent, then this episode was made for you. In this week’s episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes is joined by James Mackay, co-founder of Frazer James, to find out what a firm that's serious about attracting exceptional talent actually looks like from the inside. James and Chris Hindle built Frazer James from scratch, with no clients or referrals, and today it's growing at 40% year on year.  The reason? A founding philosophy that is rarely brought to fruition: build the business you'd actually want to work for. He breaks down exactly what that means in practice. Explaining the five-stage career framework inside every role. The benefits package, which includes a four-month paid sabbatical, a 5% personal growth allowance and up to three months working abroad. Plus, the associate financial planner pathway, a carefully designed development programme that actually delivers on what most firms only promise. The episode’s key takeaways 🔥 Why Frazer James only want A++ people, and what they offer themThe five-stage career framework baked into every roleAdministrator salaries up to £55k. Paraplanners up to £85k. Planners up to £130kThe four-month fully paid sabbatical and how it works in practiceWhy outcomes matter more than hours at Frazer JamesThe associate pathway from shadowing to managing 60+ client relationshipsWho this firm is genuinely built for…and who it isn'tIf you're an exceptional financial planner, paraplanner or administrator who's been waiting for an environment that actually matches, you’ll want to listen to this one.  ⏱️Timestamps: [00:00] – Why most financial planning careers only go one direction [01:45] – How Frazer James started from zero in a Bristol pub [04:10] – Building a firm you'd actually want to work for [07:30] – The five-stage career framework explained [11:20] – What the administrator role really looks like at Frazer James [15:40] – Remote working, outcomes and maximum autonomy [19:15] – The full benefits package: sabbaticals, growth allowances and more [23:00] – The associate financial planner pathway — and why it's different [27:30] – Lewis's story: from associate to managing 60 client relationships [31:10] – Who Frazer James is built for (and who it isn't) [35:00] – What the talent shortage means for financial planning firms [38:45] – The roles Frazer James is hiring for right now Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms 👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning.  Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.  Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

    1h 14m

  6. Apr 23

    The Truth About Selling an International Financial Planning Business

    What actually determines whether a financial advice firm can be successfully sold? In this episode of Financial Planner Life, we sit down with Dan Dickinson to explore the reality behind selling a business and why most advisers are thinking about exit in the wrong way. From the outside, exit often looks like a financial event. Valuations, deal structures, and timing. But as Dan shares, the real pressure points sit elsewhere: in culture, in structure, and in whether a business can truly operate without its founder. He talks through his own journey of exploring multiple offers before joining Titan Wealth, and why many deals fell through despite strong financial terms. Because when conditions start affecting client outcomes or how a business operates day to day, the decision becomes far more complex. This episode also explores what happens beyond the deal: 👉 How to involve your team in the process 👉 Why shared ownership changes everything 👉 What “One Titan” means in practice 👉 And how advice firms are evolving towards more integrated, team-based models This isn’t just a conversation about selling. It’s about how financial planning businesses are built, and what makes them transferable, scalable, and sustainable long-term. If you’re thinking about growth, succession, or exit, this episode is for you. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Why most advisers get exit wrong 02:10 – Dan Dickinson’s journey and building a lasting business 05:30 – The reality behind selling a firm 08:45 – When deals don’t align with client outcomes 12:20 – Why the Titan Wealth deal worked 16:10 – Bringing the team into the process 20:35 – What happens after the deal completes 24:50 – Competitor pressure and retaining your team 28:15 – “One Titan” and a new advice model 33:40 – Moving from individual advisers to team-based delivery 38:10 – What advisers should think about when planning exit Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms 👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning.  Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.  Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

    59 min

  7. Apr 16

    Are These AI Agents for Financial Planners the best in 2026?

    What if financial advisers could spend 70%… or even 100% of their time with clients? Book a demo - here  In this episode of Financial Planner Life, we sit down with Alan Gurung, founder of AdvisoryAI, to explore how AI is reshaping the way advice firms operate. From disconnected tech stacks and time-heavy admin, to compliance bottlenecks and the growing advice gap, this conversation gets to the core of what’s really holding advisers back. Alan shares how AI agents like Colin, Evie and Atlas are already helping firms reduce admin, improve compliance oversight, and uncover insights hidden across multiple systems. But this isn’t just about technology: It’s about time. Because if advisers can spend more of it with clients, everything changes: capacity, growth, and the ability to serve more people. If you’re thinking about the future of financial advice or how to scale without burning out, this episode is for you. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introducing AdvisoryAI & the vision 01:55 – From financial planner to AI builder 03:17 – Why financial advice doesn’t scale 06:12 – The advice gap explained 09:47 – The biggest bottlenecks in advice firms 12:40 – Introducing Atlas: connecting the tech stack 14:18 – Real-world AI use cases for advisers 18:24 – The future of AI in financial planning 28:05 – Meet the AI agents: Evie, Emma & Colin 43:05 – Rethinking compliance with AI 48:58 – Increasing capacity & serving more clients 🔔 Follow & Subscribe Enjoyed the episode? 👉 Follow Financial Planner Life for weekly insights into the future of financial advice 👉 Share this episode with a colleague or adviser who’s feeling the pressure of admin 👉 Leave a rating or review: it helps more people discover the podcast Want to be part of the conversation or feature on the show? Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms 👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning.  Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.  Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

    1h 10m

  8. Apr 9

    Inside Titan Wealth: James Kaberry & Andrew Fearon on Consolidation, Private Equity and the Future of Financial Advice

    Consolidation is rapidly reshaping the financial planning profession. But what’s really driving it? And what does it actually mean for advisers, firm owners, and the future of advice businesses? In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes sits down with James Kaberry and Andrew Fearon, co-founders of Titan Wealth, to unpack the reality behind consolidation, private equity, and the structural changes happening across the industry. Drawing on their experience building one of the UK’s fastest-scaling advice businesses, James and Andrew share an inside perspective on what it really takes to grow through acquisition, integrate firms, and create a centralised model that goes beyond the traditional approach to financial advice. They also explore the deeper forces driving consolidation, including an ageing adviser population, increasing regulatory pressure, and the growing need for businesses that are scalable, transferable, and built for the future. A key part of the conversation focuses on Titan Wealth’s global expat advice model, supporting UK clients as they move across jurisdictions. This approach highlights how scale is no longer just about growth, but about building the capability to serve increasingly complex client needs. Alongside this, James and Andrew discuss their working relationship, the role of trust in leadership, and how private equity is enabling a new generation of advice firms to emerge. This episode offers a clear and honest look at where financial planning is heading and what advisers need to consider as the profession continues to evolve. 🎧 In this episode, we discuss: • Why consolidation in financial planning is accelerating • The reality of succession planning and retiring firm owners • Why the “cottage industry” model is being challenged • How private equity is funding growth and acquisitions in advice firms • The misconceptions and realities of working with private equity • How Titan Wealth is building a global expat advice model • Why scale is about capability, not just size • The importance of trust in building and leading a business • The operational challenges of integrating acquired firms • What consolidation means for advisers, business owners, and career paths ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Consolidation in financial planning 03:15 James Kaberry & Andrew Fearon’s background 07:40 Why the advice profession is at a turning point 12:10 The reality of succession and retiring firm owners 18:25 Why consolidation is no longer optional 24:30 The role of private equity in financial planning 30:45 Misconceptions around private equity 36:20 Building Titan Wealth’s acquisition and integration model 42:10 The global expat advice proposition explained 48:35 Why scale creates capability in advice firms 54:20 Trust, leadership, and building the right team 01:00:10 What the future of financial planning looks like Consolidation isn’t just a trend. It’s a structural shift. And the firms that understand it will be better positioned for the future. Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for more insights into careers and trends within financial planning. Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com regarding sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered. ✅ Trusted by top UK firms 👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning.  Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.  Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

    45 min
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About

Welcome to The Financial Planner Life Podcast. We cover an intimate and honest account of what it’s really like to work in the financial planning profession. Our guests share their stories of success, failures, and learnings, as well as what to expect from a career in the financial planning profession! We host guests at various stages in their careers, as well as multiple roles, to ensure that our audience has a variety each week. Financial planners, business owners, paraplanners, and back-office staff all have their own stories to share, and The Financial Planner Life podcast serves as a platform for them to discuss their personal and professional journeys. The podcast covers a multitude of topics, from mindset and motivation, health and wellbeing, all the way to diversity and inclusion. We approach each episode with the idea that it will educate and spark a conversation within the industry on topics that may not be openly discussed. If you're considering a career as a financial adviser or are curious about learning more about this exciting sector, we encourage you to give the podcast a listen. The Host: Sam Oakes is the host of The Financial Planner Life Podcast.  since 2008 Sam has been supporting leading national and global financial planning firms in finding the best talent, he was the director of Recruit UK, a 7 figure turnover financial planning recruitment company that he successfully exited in 2024, Sam now works as the Head of Creative for Hoxton wealth, building out podcasts, YouTube and social content for this fast growing fee based international financial planning firm. Sam has always had a passion for financial services, starting as a trainer for a leading product provider in the UK, and he has been in the industry for over 20 years. He sees himself as a partner to the industry and wants to contribute useful resources, such as this podcast, to educate those who are further seeking advice and help about how to push their careers forward in this amazing profession. 

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Oakes
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    277
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Financial Planner Life Podcast
  • Show Website
    Financial Planner Life Podcast

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