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IFA Magazine‘s ground-breaking weekly editorial podcast, which breaks down the news that is shaping the global investment and economic landscape.
Featuring exclusive conversations with the most influential voices in financial services.
254 Episodes
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In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, we unpack one of the biggest challengers facing advisers; helping clients stay calm when markets become uncertain.
In such turbulent times, good advice really matters, not just in terms of building financial plans, but in helping clients manage the emotional side of investing and avoid making mistakes from short-term overreactions.
This week, James Sullivan, Head of Partnerships at Tyndall Investment Management, joins us to discuss how advisers can prepare clients for turbulent periods, communicate effectively during uncertainty, and keep conversations focused on long-term outcomes.
Now live: This month’s New Insurance & Protection special edition of IFA Talk tackles a critical question for advisers: how can clients be best supported through a cancer diagnosis, and what role should protection planning play in that journey?
In this episode, Meg Bratley and Jenny Hunter are joined by Mark Stephenson, CEO of Reframe Cancer, to discuss how advisers can help clients navigate cancer support, the evolving landscape of patient needs, and where opportunities lie for proactive guidance and tailored protection solutions.
What this episode covers
Key shifts in cancer care and patient expectations that advisers should be aware of
How advisers and insurers can improve support during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery
The role of specialist cancer navigation and why it can make a real difference for clients
Practical opportunities and challenges for advisers over the next 12–18 months
This episode is essential listening for advisers looking to enhance their client support offering, understand the practical impact of a cancer diagnosis, and explore how tailored protection solutions can provide reassurance and guidance when clients need it most. In a market where empathy, expertise, and proactive guidance matter more than ever, this episode underscores why being equipped to support clients through serious illness is not just good pra
AI continues to dominate conversations across the advice profession and it remains one of the most popular topics with readers of IFA Magazine. But beyond the hype, what does AI actually mean for financial advisers in practice? Is it friend or foe?
In the latest episode of the IFA Talk podcast, hosts Sue Whitbread and Matt Williams explore how AI is beginning to reshape the advice process. Joining them is Mark Whitcroft, CEO and co-founder of PlannerPal, an AI-powered workflow tool designed for financial advisers and wealth managers.
What AI means for advisers
PlannerPal helps firms automate and streamline time consuming processes such as meeting notes, document reviews and CRM updates, working alongside the systems advisers already use. In this conversation, Mark shares what he is seeing as more advice firms start integrating AI into their businesses.
Together they discuss how AI is changing advisers’ day to day work, the common mistakes firms make when adopting new technology, and how AI could improve outcomes for clients.
Protecting the human side of advice
They also address the big question many advisers are asking, whether AI could threaten the human side of advice. As the discussion highlights, the real opportunity may lie in using technology to reduce admin and give advisers more time to focus on their clients.
Now live: The latest Mortgage & Property Investment special edition of IFA Talk explores the evolving Near Prime mortgage market and the ways lenders and technology are supporting borrowers with adverse credit.
In this episode, hosts Meg Bratley and Jenny Hunter are joined by Richard Harrison, Head of Mortgages at Atom Bank. Richard shares his insights into the rising activity in the Near Prime segment, the challenges advisers face when working with these clients, and practical approaches lenders are taking to help borrowers rebuild their credit and gradually regain Prime status.
Key discussion points include:
The factors driving growth in the Near Prime mortgage market
How technology is improving the experience for advisers and borrowers in the adverse credit space
Common challenges advisers encounter when supporting Near Prime clients
Lender strategies to help borrowers rebuild credit and progress towards Prime status
Practical guidance for advisers on collaborating with lenders in this dynamic market
This episode provides valuable insight for brokers and mortgage professionals navigating the Near Prime segment, offering guidance on trends, technology, and lender approaches that can help advisers support clients with more complex credit profiles.
Be sure to check out this episode and all other episodes of IFA Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon, and visit the Mortgage & Property tab on the IFA Magazine website for the latest news and insights.
Markets have been shaken again with the continuing war in the Gulf adding fresh uncertainty for advisers and clients alike. With the busy end of the tax year period already underway, many advisers will also be fielding anxious calls from clients asking what they should be doing with their portfolios.
Recording this episode of IFA Talk on March 9th, Sue and Matt speak with Trevor Greetham, Head of Multi Asset at Royal London Asset Management, about how advisers should approach long-term investment strategies during periods of heightened market volatility, such as we’re seeing right now.
The conversation explores the importance of diversification at a time when traditional asset relationships have been tested, the potential role of alternatives such as property and commodities, and the growing risk of “spikeflation” driven by energy markets and geopolitics.
Trevor also explains how his Investment Clock framework can help advisers interpret the economic cycle and think about active asset allocation in a more uncertain environment.
In this month’s special Tax-Efficient Investment edition of IFA Talk, in partnership with Octopus Investments, were focusing on the last-minute changes to the proposed unquoted Business Relief allowance.
Joining us to do this is Toyin Oyeneyin, Tax Product Specialist at Octopus Investments. This will be Toyin’s third time on the podcast, having joined us most recently alongside her colleague Tim Dickens for our January episode, which was recorded shortly after the Budget in December.
That episode was recorded just days before the government’s change to the proposed unquoted Business Relief allowance, increasing it from £1 million to £2.5 million.
In today’s episode, we unpack that change, along with the upcoming reduction of IHT relief on AIM shares, which will decrease to 50% from next month. Toyin also explains how advisers should navigate the complex estate planning landscape, and what these changes mean from an intergenerational perspective.
In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, IFA Magazine’s weekly podcast, we’re diving into retirement planning with a difference, looking at both the psychology of it and the financial aspects.
Supporting clients with retirement planning is a key area of every financial adviser’s business, but the best advisers go a step further. Joining us to explore this topic is James Woodfall, a former financial adviser who has done some interesting work on retirement psychology.
Together, we discuss James’ recent research into retirement psychology, what advisers are doing to help their clients transition to retirement successfully, and what advisers should consider doing more of, to help their clients thrive in their retirement.
In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, IFA Magazine’s weekly podcast, we focus on data, talking about how advisers can turn raw client information into really personalised financial planning.
Joining us to do so is by Rowan Whittington, Chief Product Officer at Dynamic Planner. Rowan sits on the Senior Leadership Team and leads on new and emerging initiatives across the business. She’s got a particular focus on Tram, their white-labelled mobile app designed to support digital advice journeys.
Together, we’ll discuss what ‘good data’ really looks like inside a modern advice business, and how client behaviour is changing with the real-time digital access they have now.
Along with that, we’ll also dive into the ever-present topic of AI, asking what the next five years of AI and automation might mean for data-led advice.
Now live: This month’s New Insurance & Protection special edition of IFA Talk explores a key question for advisers: in protection terms, is whole of life the only solution for long-term inheritance tax planning?
Hosts Meg Bratley and Sue Whitbread are joined by Ken Maxwell, Director at JLHO, as the company marks its 65th anniversary, to reflect on how protection advice has evolved over the decades, how today’s market compares to previous cycles, and what advisers should be focusing on when structuring high-value cover.
What this episode covers
The discussion explores whether whole of life remains the default solution for long-term IHT planning, how advisers can combine term and whole of life policies to manage premiums effectively, and why insurer capacity and contract flexibility remain important considerations in today’s market.
Drawing on decades of experience, Ken shares practical insights into building robust, client-focused protection strategies designed to stand the test of time.
In this week’s episode, Matt and Sue are looking into one of the most consistent challenges faced by advice firms: technology complexity.
They are joined by John Milliken, CEO of Defaqto, to talk about how advice businesses can move from integrating multiple tech platforms to a more unified operating model. Advisers regularly face the frustration of juggling many different software platforms that don’t talk to each other, creating inefficiencies and compliance risks too.
In this episode, Matt, Sue, and John discuss:
Integration vs. unification: What this shift means for advisers and why it matters.
Adviser pain points: Where current tech stacks fall short and how firms are feeling about being weighed down by complexity.
Day-to-day changes: How a unified operating model can simplify workflows, strengthen compliance, and give advisers more confidence.
Managing change: How firms can adopt new technology at a pace that works for their business.
Key takeaways: John’s top insights for advisers navigating technology challenges.
Listen now to hear how things are changing in the adviser tech world that look set to transform the efficiency and effectiveness of many advice businesses in future.
In this episode of IFA Talk, we’re talking all things paraplanning and why the role continues to grow in importance across the advice profession.
Jenny and Matt are joined by Steve Nelson, Insight Director at the lang cat, to chat through the latest State of the Advice Nation research. This is the third year paraplanners have had a focused pathway in the study, which means we’re finally starting to see some clear themes emerge around career paths, day to day realities and where firms are getting it right, or not.
During the conversation, we look at paraplanning as a career in its own right, how visible and understood the role really is, and what the research tells us about the challenges paraplanners still face behind the scenes. From workload pressures to systems and support, it’s an honest discussion grounded in real data and real experience.
As ever, Steve does a brilliant job of bringing the numbers to life and connecting the findings to what’s actually happening in advice firms across the UK.
Now live: The latest Mortgage & Property Investment special edition of IFA Talk looks ahead to 2026 and beyond, exploring how shifting household behaviour, retirement sequencing, and property wealth are shaping modern financial planning.
In this episode, hosts Meg and Jenny are joined by Phillip Wickenden, founder and CEO of Ad Lucem. Phil shares his insights on the changing landscape of adviser-client conversations, including the growing importance of retirement sequencing, the evolving role of property wealth, and why later-life lending and “home-in-the-plan” discussions are becoming increasingly central to financial planning.
Key discussion points also include:
Household behavioural shifts heading into 2026 and what they mean for advisers
How inheritance tax changes are affecting retirement sequencing and client decision-making
Practical challenges advisers are facing more often, including managing client intent and tax implications
The role of property wealth and later-life lending in modern, client-centred conversations
How intergenerational advice creates both business opportunities and long-term client retention
This episode provides valuable insight for advisers looking to navigate the changing financial planning landscape, offering practical guidance and highlighting the opportunities for advisers to add value for clients in the year ahead.
Be sure to check out the episode and all other episodes of IFA Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon!
Podcast # Meet the new CII President: Callum Beaton on the year ahead
In this episode of IFA Talk, Matt and Sue are joined by the new President of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), Callum Beaton, to talk about his journey to the role, his appointment (which he describes as ‘surreal’) and also his vision for the future of the profession.
Callum is clearly very passionate about this profession, which he joined almost 50 years ago, after failing an eye test to join the Royal Navy. He talks eloquently through his Presidential theme, EQUIP, how he hopes to support members during his year in office, and the key issues he believes will shape the sector in the months ahead, with the wealth of experience he’s amassed over the years.
It’s a really human conversation, thoughtful and forward-looking for anyone working in insurance or financial planning who wants to stay connected to the bigger picture.
Listen now to hear Callum’s plans for leading and supporting the profession.
In this latest episode of the Tax-Efficient Investment podcast from IFA Magazine, we turn our focus to Venture Capital Trusts and what advisers need to be thinking about as the busy tax year-end approaches.
Hosted by Editor Sue Whitbread and Deputy Editor Jenny Hunter, this special edition of IFA Talk is produced in partnership with Foresight Group and explores how the VCT landscape is evolving in response to shifting market conditions, new technologies and changing investor expectations.
Joining the conversation is Lucy Clarke, Investment Manager at Foresight Group, who shares an investment manager’s perspective on how to identify genuinely sustainable competitive advantage in today’s VCT-backed companies. Drawing on her background as both a venture investor and a former founder, Lucy discusses how traditional indicators of competitive advantage are changing, how the VCT investment process is adapting, and what this means in practice when assessing early-stage opportunities.
The episode also looks at the sectors and themes Lucy finds particularly compelling right now, offering advisers timely insight as they prepare for what is expected to be a busy period for VCT planning.
With more than 50 years in financial planning, Patrick Murphy has seen the profession evolve. Although he’s recently stepped back from advising clients, he’s challenging conventional thinking about what really drives client outcomes.
In this episode of IFA Talk, hosts Matt and Sue sit down with Patrick to explore his latest insights on Targeted Support, consumer behaviour and the future of advice. With Targeted Support kicking off from April, will this be the game-changer it’s often set out to be? The answer is probably yes but, as we’ll explore today, maybe not for the reasons that most people are thinking about.
Patrick’s recent paper, Financial Planning in Transition: Beyond Targeted Support (2025–2030), builds on his work in hybrid advice and argues that the way advisers support client behaviour could transform outcomes at scale. Today, we discuss what that means in practice and why understanding behaviour may be more important than simply providing knowledge or information.
We talk with Patrick about why good advice often fails, not because it’s wrong, but because it isn’t acted upon, how regulators and firms can misread the advice process, and why compliance alone doesn’t guarantee good outcomes, the shift from one-off recommendations to ongoing behavioural support and how advisers can adapt day-to-day, how Targeted Support could succeed or fail depending on whether it’s treated as content/compliance or as behaviour design, and the practical takeaways for advisers looking to improve client outcomes in a rapidly evolving profession.
The FCA’s plans to introduce Targeted Support from April 2026 represent one of the most significant regulatory developments which advisers need to be aware of at the moment.
In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, Matt and Sue welcomed Chet Velani, Managing Director at EV, to chat through some of the key issues around what Targeted Support is really designed to achieve, how it might work in practice, and what advisers can be doing now to stay ahead of the curve. Chet was a great guest and had plenty of practical ideas to share.
EV is a financial services technology provider working with millions of consumers and a significant proportion of the UK advice market, giving Chet a unique perspective on how regulation, technology and advice intersect.
As Chet explains on the podcast, Targeted Support isn’t about eroding the value of advice. Instead, it’s about creating clearer, scalable pathways that use data and technology to support more people, while enabling firms to deliver demonstrably better outcomes for consumers.
However, for advisers, understanding the bigger picture, how this framework is likely work in practice and how it could complement existing advice models will be really important.
In this month’s special Tax-Efficient Investment (TEI) edition of IFA Talk, IFA Magazine's Content Editor Matt Williams and Deputy Editor Jenny Hunter take a look back at the 2025 Budget and the changes to VCTs.
Joining us to unpack all of this are not one, but two great guests. First, returning to the IFA Talk studio is Toyin Oyeneyin, Tax Product Specialist at Octopus Investments. Toyin joined us back in November ahead of the 2025 Budget to discuss the major changes in the 2024 Budget, along with the topic of pensions and the complex IHT landscape.
This time, Toyin is also joined by Tim Dickens, Head of Investment Specialists at Octopus Ventures. Together, they reflect on the key takeaways from this year’s Budget, the changes to VCTs and what they mean for financial advisers, and why private markets are becoming increasingly popular.
IFA Magazine’s weekly podcast, IFA Talk, is back with another insightful episode aimed squarely at busy financial advisers with a passion for what they do.
This week, we’re joined by Martin Lockyer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Westminster Wealth Management, to find out from his years of experience as an adviser and running an advice business, what it takes to build and run a successful firm. Martin’s insight into succession planning is particularly thought provoking, and reinforces the idea that it should never be a one-size fits all approach.
In this episode, Meg Bratley and Sue Whitbread talk to Martin about the practical challenges and opportunities facing advice firms, from maintaining long-term client relationships to protecting independence in a landscape dominated by consolidation and regulation.
Martin shares his expertise based on years of experience, and offers practical insights and strategies that can help advisers create sustainable businesses while delivering excellent outcomes for clients.
Highlights include:
How to run a succession-based business that prioritises clients and stakeholders alike.
The advantages of a self-employed, proprietary-book adviser model versus the traditional employed framework.
Navigating regulatory and operational pressures while maintaining independence.
Martin’s three top tips for advisers looking to future-proof their business.
Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or adviser seeking actionable best practice ideas and real-world perspectives, this episode is sure to get you thinking.
Now live: The latest Mortgage & Property Investment special edition of IFA Talk explores what the 2026 mortgage market could look like for brokers, and where opportunities and challenges may lie as we head into the New Year.
In this episode, hosts Meg and Sue are joined by Jonathan Stinton, Head of Intermediary Relationship Management at Coventry Building Society. Jonathan discusses the outlook for the 2026 mortgage market, including broker confidence, remortgaging activity and affordability pressures. He also shares how lenders can best support brokers during a busy remortgage cycle, and explores the opportunities and challenges shaping the Buy-to-Let market in the year ahead.
Key discussion points also include:
The outlook for mortgage brokers in 2026 and how confidence is shaping the market
Remortgaging and product transfer volumes, and what brokers are saying they need most
The impact of affordability pressures on client advice conversations
How the Buy-to-Let market may evolve in 2026, including continued interest in specialist areas such as limited company BTL.
This episode provides valuable insight for mortgage brokers looking ahead to the near future, examining the key trends shaping the mortgage market and highlighting how advisers can continue to add value and support their clients in the long term.
In this episode of IFA Talk, Sue and Matt are joined by Alex Sumner from Thrive, Blackfinch Group’s dedicated workplace pensions and benefits platform.
Thrive is designed to simplify pension management for businesses while giving employees access to a financial wellbeing app that provides clear insights into pensions, benefits, and financial futures. It can be a key tool for advisers to use also.
The discussion dives into some of the most pressing topics for advisers today:
Closing the advice gap: Alex shares his perspective on whether enough is being done to support those who can’t afford professional financial advice, and the role targeted FCA-backed initiatives like targeted support can play in improving financial wellbeing.
Helping employers to support financial wellbeing and education: With employee financial health increasingly in the spotlight, the conversation explores how employers can better support their workforce, creating opportunities for advisers to add value too.
Opportunities for IFAs: Thrive’s hybrid model isn’t just for businesses and employees, it also opens doors for advisers to strengthen client relationships, drive lead generation, and build new business opportunities.
Whether you’re looking to add to your advice business’ strategy for 2026 or exploring effective new ways to support your business clients, this episode offers practical insights and actionable ideas that can help you deliver.
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