The Bearded IFA

Robert Lewis
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  • Entrepreneurship

  Welcome to The Bearded IFA — honest conversations about money, business, leadership, life, and everything in between.  Hosted by Rob Lewis, better known as The Bearded IFA, this podcast goes beyond pensions, investments, and financial planning. Drawing on years of experience as an Independent Financial Adviser, business owner, entrepreneur, and active member of the local community, Rob sits down with inspiring business owners, leaders, professionals, and changemakers to uncover the stories behind their success.  Expect real conversations, practical insights, lessons learned, challenges overcome, and plenty of laughs along the way. From building businesses and managing money to leadership, personal growth, community impact, and navigating life's twists and turns, no topic is off limits.  Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, professional, aspiring leader, or simply someone who enjoys hearing authentic stories from interesting people, The Bearded IFA offers valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions from people who have been there and done it.  Pull up a chair, grab a coffee, and join the conversation.  The Bearded IFA  — where money meets life, business meets people, and every story has something to teach us. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️ 

  1. 5d ago ·  Video

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Capturing People, Not Pixels with Gavin J Priest

    What makes a great portrait in a world where almost any image can now be created, or completely transformed with AI? In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by professional portrait photographer Gavin J Priest to explore his journey through an industry that has changed enormously during his career. Gavin takes us right back to the beginning, sharing how his interest in photography developed as a youngster and the path that eventually led him to become an established and respected professional photographer. We talk about the highs and lows of making a living from something creative, the lessons he's learned along the way and how his approach to both photography and business has evolved over the years. And then there's technology. 📸 From the move to digital photography and increasingly sophisticated editing software to the extraordinary capabilities of AI-generated and AI-edited images, the industry is going through another period of significant change. So where does that leave the professional photographer? We discuss whether technology risks taking something away from photography and why there may actually be more value than ever in capturing real people, real expressions and genuine moments. We also explore the business side of Gavin's journey, including the importance of finding your niche, specialising rather than trying to photograph everything, and where he sees his own career heading next. In this episode: 📸 Gavin's journey from a young photography enthusiast to respected professional 👤 Why he chose to specialise in portrait photography 💼 The realities of turning creativity into a business 🎢 The highs, lows and lessons from years in the industry 💻 How technology has transformed professional photography 🤖 AI-generated images and the future of image editing 🧐 Can we still tell what's real? ❤️ Why authentic photographs of real people still matter 🎯 The value of specialising and finding your niche 🔮 What's next for Gavin and the photography industry In a world where we can generate an apparently perfect image in seconds, perhaps the imperfect reality of a genuine photograph of a genuine person becomes even more important. A really enjoyable and thought-provoking conversation about photography, technology, creativity, business and adapting to change. 🎙️ The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with business owners, professionals and interesting people about their journeys, challenges and what they've learned along the way. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Capturing People, Not Pixels with Gavin J Priest

  2. Aug 26 ·  Video

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Google Ads: Are You Wasting Your Money?

    How much money are businesses wasting on Google Ads without even realising it? In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Dan Roberts, co-founder of Three Clicks Digital, for a fascinating conversation about Google Ads, PPC, entrepreneurship and the rapidly changing world of digital marketing. Dan and his two co-founders came from agency backgrounds and kept seeing the same problems: account managers stretched across too many clients, generic campaigns, a lack of communication and businesses spending significant amounts on advertising without really understanding what they were getting in return. So they decided to do something about it. They founded Three Clicks Digital, deliberately choosing to specialise in Google and Microsoft Ads rather than trying to become another full-service digital marketing agency. We get into exactly what PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising is, how it works and, importantly, how businesses can use it effectively to generate measurable results. We also discuss why specialisation matters. Is there an advantage in becoming exceptionally good at one thing rather than trying to offer everything? It's a subject that comes up regularly on the podcast, and Dan has some interesting thoughts from both the agency and business-owner perspective. Of course, we couldn't talk about digital marketing in 2026 without mentioning AI. We explore how technology is changing Google Ads, what automation means for PPC specialists, how search behaviour itself could change and where human expertise still fits into an increasingly AI-driven world. Three Clicks Digital is also one of the first UK agencies accepted as a ChatGPT Ads partner, so we discuss what the emergence of advertising within AI platforms could mean for businesses and the wider digital advertising landscape. And, as always, we go beyond the technical stuff. Dan shares his own journey, the decision to start Three Clicks with his business partners, the challenges of building a new company and their ambitions for the future. In this episode: 💻 What PPC actually is and how Google Ads works 💷 Why businesses can waste money on poorly managed campaigns 🎯 When PPC can—and can't—work for a business 🔍 Why Three Clicks decided to become specialists rather than generalists 📊 Understanding the numbers that actually matter 🤝 Why communication between an agency and its clients is so important 🚀 Dan's journey into business ownership 👥 Founding a company with two business partners 🤖 How AI is already changing digital advertising 🔮 What the future of Google, search and PPC could look like 💬 The emergence of ChatGPT Ads and what it could mean for businesses Even if you've never run a Google Ads campaign in your life, this is a really interesting conversation about business, technology, specialisation and how the way we find products and services online is changing. And if you're already spending money on PPC, you might listen to this one slightly differently... particularly when we start talking about wasted ad spend! 😬 🌐 Find out more about Dan and Three Clicks Digital: https://threeclicksdigital.co.uk/ 🎙️ The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs about their journeys, their challenges and the lessons they've learned along the way.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Google Ads: Are You Wasting Your Money?

  3. Aug 19 ·  Video

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | When Life & Work Become Too Much with Tracy Bevan

    Mental health isn't something we leave at the door when we arrive at work. In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Tracy Bevan from Healthy Minds Matter CIC for an open and thought-provoking conversation about mental health, pressure, resilience and the role employers can play in supporting their people. We explore the pressures people face both inside and outside the workplace, and how those pressures can ultimately affect wellbeing, relationships and our ability to perform at our best. We also reflect on Covid and the lasting impact it had on the way we live and work. Did it make us more willing to talk about mental health? Has the workplace changed permanently? And are employers now better equipped to recognise when someone might be struggling? Tracy shares more about the work of Healthy Minds Matter CIC, which works with employers to reduce sickness absence, improve staff retention and build stronger, more resilient teams through resilience training, return-to-work support and tailored wellbeing coaching. Importantly, as a Community Interest Company, their work goes further. With support from businesses and grant-funding organisations including The National Lottery and The Bluecoat Charity, Healthy Minds Matter is able to extend support to people and groups who might otherwise struggle to access it. We discuss: 🧠 Mental health and the pressures of modern life 💼 Mental health and wellbeing in the workplace 👥 What employers can do to genuinely support their people 🏠 How Covid changed our relationship with work and mental health 🤝 Supporting employees returning to work 💪 Building resilience within individuals and teams 📉 The connection between wellbeing, sickness absence and staff retention ❤️ Why Healthy Minds Matter operates as a CIC and the communities it supports 🌱 Creating workplaces where people can thrive, not simply cope We also talk about how businesses and individuals can support the work Healthy Minds Matter is doing. Healthy Minds Matter CIC is holding a fundraiser on 19 September at Sage Restaurant, The Wyldewoods, Boughton. If you'd like to attend, support the event or donate a raffle prize, please get in touch with the team. 🌐 Find out more about Healthy Minds Matter and their work: https://healthymindsmatter.co.uk/ Mental health can sometimes be a difficult subject to talk about, but that's precisely why conversations like this matter. Whether you're a business owner, manager, employee or simply someone juggling the pressures that life occasionally throws at us, there's plenty to take away from this episode. 🎙️ The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with business owners, leaders and people making a difference in their communities. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | When Life & Work Become Too Much with Tracy Bevan

  4. Aug 12 ·  Video

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Scaling with Purpose: Ola Abdul on Building Fundment

    What does it take to build one of the UK's fastest-growing fintech businesses without compromising on service or culture?  In this extended episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Ola Abdul, Founder and CEO of Fundment, for a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership in the financial services industry.  Ola shares his journey from spotting an opportunity in the adviser platform market to creating Fundment—a technology business designed to make life easier for financial advisers while delivering an exceptional experience for their clients.  We explore why Fundment was founded, how the industry has evolved over recent years, and what the future of financial advice might look like as technology and Artificial Intelligence continue to reshape the profession.  One of the standout themes of our conversation is culture. As Fundment has grown rapidly, Ola explains why protecting the company's values has been just as important as scaling the business itself. We discuss the importance of hiring the right people, building high-performing teams and ensuring growth never comes at the expense of the customer experience.  This isn't just a conversation about fintech—it's about building a business with purpose, leading through change and creating an environment where great people can do their best work.  Whether you're in financial services, leading a growing business, or simply interested in entrepreneurship and innovation, this extended episode is packed with valuable insights.  In this episode:  🚀 The story behind Fundment 💡 Why Ola founded the business 📈 Scaling a high-growth fintech company 🤝 Maintaining exceptional service while growing rapidly 🌱 Why culture is a business's greatest asset 👥 Hiring, developing and retaining the right people 🤖 The future of financial services and the impact of AI 🎯 Leadership lessons from a dynamic CEO  This is one of our longer conversations—but every minute is filled with thoughtful discussion, practical insights and honest reflections from a founder who is helping shape the future of financial advice.  The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators, exploring the ideas and people shaping the future. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️🚀  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Scaling with Purpose: Ola Abdul on Building Fundment

  5. Aug 5 ·  Video

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Why Every Child Needs Creative Problem-Solving Skills

    How do we prepare children for jobs that don't even exist yet? In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Hayley Laidlaw-Wilson, co-founder of Sniff and Snails, a business on a mission to inspire the next generation of innovators, creators and problem-solvers. Together with her brother, Hayley has developed hands-on kits, educational resources and engaging content that help children build essential STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) skills while challenging outdated stereotypes about who technology is for. In a world where technology is evolving at an incredible pace, creativity, curiosity and critical thinking have never been more important. We discuss why these skills matter, how parents and educators can encourage them, and why inspiring young people to think differently could shape the future of our workforce. Hayley also shares the story behind Sniff and Snails—from the original idea and the challenges of launching a business, to growing a brand with a clear social purpose. We talk openly about entrepreneurship, resilience and the realities of building a business that's making a genuine difference. Whether you're a parent, teacher, business owner or simply passionate about education and innovation, this episode is full of thought-provoking ideas and practical inspiration. In this episode: 🚀 The story behind Sniff and Snails 🧠 Why STEAM skills are more important than ever 💡 Encouraging creativity and problem-solving in children 💻 Breaking down stereotypes around technology and engineering 👩‍💼 Building a purpose-driven business with family 📈 The challenges of launching and growing a business 🌍 Preparing young people for the careers of tomorrow ✨ Hayley's vision for the future of Sniff and Snails This conversation is about much more than education. It's about giving the next generation the confidence, curiosity and skills they'll need to thrive in an ever-changing world. The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with inspiring people, exploring business, leadership, innovation and the ideas shaping tomorrow. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️🚀🧩  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Why Every Child Needs Creative Problem-Solving Skills

  6. Jul 29 ·  Video

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Growing to 50+ Staff: Business Lessons with Glyn Jelley

    What does it take to grow a professional services business from the ground up to a team of more than 50 people?  In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Glyn Jelley, Founder and Managing Director of Summit Chartered Accountants, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership and building one of the region's leading accountancy firms.  Glyn shares the story of his career, what inspired him to establish Summit, and the challenges that come with growing a business while maintaining the culture and values that made it successful in the first place.  As the business has expanded, so too have the responsibilities. We discuss what it's really like leading a growing team, the importance of developing people, and how the role of a business owner changes as your organisation evolves.  No conversation about professional services would be complete without discussing Artificial Intelligence. We explore how AI is beginning to reshape the accountancy profession, the opportunities it presents for firms and clients alike, and why human relationships, judgement and trusted advice will continue to play a vital role.  We also tackle one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today: recruitment. From attracting talented people to retaining them in an increasingly competitive market, Glyn shares his thoughts on what firms need to do to build teams that thrive.  Whether you're an accountant, business owner, entrepreneur or leader, this episode is packed with practical insights from someone who has successfully built and scaled a modern professional services business.  In this episode:  📈 Growing Summit Chartered Accountants to more than 50 staff 🚀 Glyn's journey from accountant to business owner 👥 Leading and developing a growing team 🎯 How leadership changes as your business grows 🤖 The impact AI is having on the accountancy profession 💼 Recruitment, retention and attracting great people 📊 The future of professional services 💡 Lessons learned from building a successful business  This is much more than a conversation about accountancy. It's about leadership, resilience, growth and the realities of building a business that stands the test of time.  The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals, sharing the stories, lessons and ideas behind lasting success. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️📈  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Growing to 50+ Staff: Business Lessons with Glyn Jelley

  7. Jul 22 ·  Video

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | From Aspiring Lawyer to Law Firm Founder

    What does it take to leave the security of employment and build a law firm from the ground up?  In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Emily Littlehales, founder of Celtic Law, an award-winning specialist law firm providing expert advice in Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Trusts.  Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, Emily made the bold decision to focus on a specific area of law, choosing not to offer services such as conveyancing or litigation. We discuss why specialising has been central to Celtic Law's growth, how it allows the team to deliver exceptional client care, and why saying no can often be one of the best business decisions you make.  Emily also shares her personal journey—from knowing at a young age that she wanted to become a lawyer, through qualifying, to taking the leap and launching her own business. We explore the challenges of entrepreneurship, building a strong team and creating a culture centred around expertise and client service.  With an all-female team of three, Emily has built a firm with a clear purpose and vision, proving that success doesn't always come from offering the widest range of services—but from becoming exceptional at what you do.  We also discuss one of the biggest talking points facing the legal profession today: Artificial Intelligence. How will AI change legal services? What opportunities does it create? And where will human expertise, empathy and judgement always remain irreplaceable?  Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, legal professional or someone interested in protecting your family's future, this episode is packed with valuable insights.  In this episode:  ⚖️ Why Emily chose to specialise in private client law 🚀 The journey to founding Celtic Law 🎯 The benefits of niching your business 👩‍💼 Building an all-female legal team 💡 Lessons learned from starting a law firm 🤖 How AI could transform the legal profession 📈 Growing a business with purpose and focus ❤️ Why people will always matter in professional services  If you've ever considered starting your own business, wondered whether specialising is the right strategy, or are curious about the future of the legal profession, this is an episode you won't want to miss.  The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with inspiring people, exploring business, leadership, entrepreneurship and the stories behind success. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️⚖️🚀  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | From Aspiring Lawyer to Law Firm Founder

  8. Jul 15 ·  Video

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Protecting Your Reputation in a Digital World

    What is Public Relations... and why does every business need to understand it?  In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Anthony Bullick, Managing Director of the award-winning Outwrite PR, to demystify the world of public relations and explain why it's about far more than simply getting your name in the newspaper.  We explore the role PR plays in building trust, protecting reputations and helping businesses communicate effectively with clients, the media and the wider public. Anthony shares practical advice on when businesses should start thinking about PR, how it complements marketing, and why good communication can often be the difference between thriving and simply surviving.  We also tackle one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today—online reputation. From Google reviews and customer feedback to fake reviews and the influence of television programmes like Four in a Bed, we discuss how public perception can change overnight and what businesses should (and shouldn't) do when faced with criticism online.  Finally, we look to the future as we discuss the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence. How is AI changing the PR industry? What opportunities does it create? And where will human creativity and authentic storytelling always remain essential?  Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, marketer or simply interested in how brands build trust, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world examples.  In this episode:  📰 What PR actually is—and what it isn't 📣 The difference between PR and marketing 🏢 When businesses should invest in PR ⭐ Managing your reputation in a digital world 💬 Responding to reviews—good, bad and fake 📺 The impact of programmes like Four in a Bed on public perception 🤖 How AI is changing communications and public relations 🚀 Building trust through authentic storytelling  Your reputation is one of your most valuable business assets. This conversation explores how to build it, protect it, and communicate with confidence in an increasingly digital world.  The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with remarkable people, sharing practical insights into business, leadership, communication and success. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️📢  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    The Bearded IFA Diaries | Protecting Your Reputation in a Digital World
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About

  Welcome to The Bearded IFA — honest conversations about money, business, leadership, life, and everything in between.  Hosted by Rob Lewis, better known as The Bearded IFA, this podcast goes beyond pensions, investments, and financial planning. Drawing on years of experience as an Independent Financial Adviser, business owner, entrepreneur, and active member of the local community, Rob sits down with inspiring business owners, leaders, professionals, and changemakers to uncover the stories behind their success.  Expect real conversations, practical insights, lessons learned, challenges overcome, and plenty of laughs along the way. From building businesses and managing money to leadership, personal growth, community impact, and navigating life's twists and turns, no topic is off limits.  Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, professional, aspiring leader, or simply someone who enjoys hearing authentic stories from interesting people, The Bearded IFA offers valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions from people who have been there and done it.  Pull up a chair, grab a coffee, and join the conversation.  The Bearded IFA  — where money meets life, business meets people, and every story has something to teach us. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️ 

Information

  • Creator
    Robert Lewis
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Bearded IFA
  • Show Website
    The Bearded IFA