MM Talks: D&I in Financial Services – Beyond the Tick-Box Money Marketing 2025-09-10 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-3893q-195db0aThis week on MM Talks, we're joined by Rowan Whittington (Dynamic Planner) and Jim Islam (OneFamily), along with our own Tom Browne and Kimberley Dondo. We take a deep dive into the state of diversity and inclusion in the UK financial services sector.Our panel discusses the industry's evolution on D&I, how it compares internationally, and the tangible business benefits of building a truly diverse team. They also share powerful personal stories of navigating unconscious bias and challenging the status quo, revealing what makes D&I efforts feel genuine.But as initiatives have been a focus for some time, is 'D&I fatigue' setting in? And how are younger professionals changing the conversation? Listen now
The Week in Brief – 14 Sept to 18 Sept Money Marketing 2026-09-18 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekFresh entrepreneurial ventures and unexpected C-suite shakeups lead headlines across the UK wealth management sector this week.Tony Wickenden unveils new business after SJP closure, and FNZ chair Welch assumes CEO role as Masters exits.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days’ most significant industry developments: moneymarketing.co.uk
The Week in Brief – 07 Sept to 11 Sept Money Marketing 2026-09-09 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekHigh-profile executive appointments and evolving estate planning strategies dominate the UK wealth management conversation this week.SJP appoints Justin Onuekwusi as investments CEO, while advisers look to later life lending products amid record IHT receipts.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days’ most significant industry developments: moneymarketing.co.uk
Money Talks: Human + AI: The Future of Financial Advice Money Marketing 2026-09-07 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-j9svb-1b530daIn this episode of Money Talks, brought to you in association with Royal London, guest Colin Mitchell, Customer Life Stage Director at Royal London, breaks down the key findings from their recent research, Meaningful Value in an Artificial World.The conversation focuses on the role of artificial intelligence across financial services, looking closely at how automation can handle administration while safeguarding the human judgement, trust, and reassurance clients rely on. The discussion addresses the emotional side of financial planning, the mindset shift from saving to spending in retirement, and practical ways advice firms can adopt AI safely to support better client outcomes.For further resources, visit Royal London.
The Week in Brief – 31 Aug to 04 Sept Money Marketing 2026-09-04 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekMajor fintech consolidation and senior leadership moves take centre stage across the UK wealth management sector this week.iPipeline completes acquisition of Origo, while FNZ appoints new UK client and business development head.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days’ most significant industry developments: moneymarketing.co.uk
The Week in Brief – 24 Aug to 28 Aug Money Marketing 2026-08-27 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekStrategic adviser succession planning and major milestones in digital retirement consolidation lead discussions across the UK wealth management landscape this week.At the Helm explores the inner workings of SJP’s Business Sale & Purchase scheme, while Aegon’s pension app successfully consolidates £250m in savings.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days’ most significant industry developments: moneymarketing.co.uk
MM Talks: Why platforms and protection must evolve with Scottish Widows’ Jenny Davidson Money Marketing 2026-08-27 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-en22w-1b4596aIn this episode of MM Talks, Money Marketing’s Kimberley Dondo and Tom Browne sit down with Jenny Davidson, intermediary wealth director at Scottish Widows.Drawing on more than 30 years in the sector, Jenny discusses the evolution of adviser platforms, Scottish Widows’ intermediary strategy, and why heritage brands must balance scale with tech agility.The conversation also explores the critical links between ill health and retirement security, the case for integrating protection into accumulation plans, and how the advice profession must adapt to support women ahead of the multi-trillion-pound intergenerational wealth transfer.MM Talks
MM Talks: Why platforms and protection must evolve with Scottish Widows’ Jenny Davidson Money Marketing 2026-08-27 | In this episode of MM Talks, Money Marketing’s Kimberley Dondo and Tom Browne sit down with Jenny Davidson, intermediary wealth director at Scottish Widows.Drawing on more than 30 years in the sector, Jenny discusses the evolution of adviser platforms, Scottish Widows’ intermediary strategy, and why heritage brands must balance scale with tech agility.The conversation also explores the critical links between ill health and retirement security, the case for integrating protection into accumulation plans, and how the advice profession must adapt to support women ahead of the multi-trillion-pound intergenerational wealth transfer.MM Talks
The Week in Brief – 17 Aug to 21 Aug Money Marketing 2026-08-21 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekHeightened regulatory scrutiny on wealth management operations and essential technical insights for retirement planning headline this week's financial agenda.The FCA warns wealth managers over fee structures, financial crime controls, and emerging AI risks, while Royal London senior technical manager Craig Muir outlines five critical state pension questions every adviser must tackle.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days’ most significant industry developments: moneymarketing.co.uk
Money Talks: The 5 State Pension questions every adviser must master Money Marketing 2026-08-16 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-w6bcf-1b368cfThe State Pension is often treated as a simple guaranteed income, but client questions frequently hide intricate technical planning issues. In this episode of Money Talks, host Kimberley Dondo is joined by Royal London’s Craig Muir and Justin Corliss to explore the reality behind five of the most common client queries.They break down why annual forecast figures vary between government departments, the hidden impact of pre-2016 contracting out, and how to navigate changing State Pension ages. The conversation also covers the arithmetic behind voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions versus free credits, the nuances of pension deferral, tax friction in year one of retirement, and how to safeguard survivor income against the loss of individual entitlement on first death.Tune in to hear how to move beyond basic forecasts and turn everyday State Pension enquiries into robust, value-adding retirement strategies.
The Week in Brief – 10 Aug to 14 Aug Money Marketing 2026-08-14 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekAggressive adviser network expansion and mounting controversy over pension inheritance tax reforms lead discussions across the UK wealth management landscape this week.SJP adds four new partner practices to its network, while AJ Bell warns that HMRC risks creating an unfair two-tier IHT system for retirement savers.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days’ most significant industry developments:moneymarketing.co.uk
Retirement Evolution Series: When Retirement Risks Collide: A Holistic Playbook Money Marketing 2026-08-09 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-q72qc-1b2db7cRetirement risks do not exist in isolation; market volatility, legislative changes, and behavioural blockers compound one another over a 30-year retirement, with longevity acting as the ultimate wildcard multiplier. In this final episode of the series, Kimberley Dondo talks to Andy Fear from M&G to discuss the dangerous cost of adviser inaction and out-of-date planning assumptions. Discover how to build an evolving, joined-up retirement structure that values flexibility over rigid forecasting to secure optimal client outcomes.Listeners will learn why inaction has a hidden cost, how longevity amplifies other risks, and how advisors can act as coaches to keep plans adaptable and aligned to real client needs.
The Week in Brief – 03 Aug to 07 Aug Money Marketing 2026-08-07 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekStrict enforcement actions over historical advice flaws and long-awaited regulatory streamlining take centre stage in the financial services sector this week.A tribunal has upheld FCA bans against advisers following pension transfer failings, while the regulator also finalised major transaction reporting reforms designed to slash ongoing compliance costs for firms.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days’ most significant industry developments: moneymarketing.co.uk
MM Talks: Agentic AI: What Financial Advisers Need to Know Now Money Marketing 2026-08-05 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-t2t4x-1b25b9dIn this episode of MM Talks, Kimberley Dondo, Tom Browne, and Dan Cooper are joined by Rory McLaren, Chief Technology Officer at Dynamic Planner, to explore the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence in financial services.They discuss practical uses like hyper-personalised reviews, the importance of prompts and clean data, governance and evaluation standards, regulatory concerns, and the need to keep humans in the loop to maintain expertise and avoid unintended risks.
Retirement Evolution Series: Overcoming Retirements Saving Trap Money Marketing 2026-08-02 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-dwnh4-1b233adAfter decades of focusing entirely on accumulation, moving into the decumulation phase triggers major psychological friction for retirees. Kimberley Dondo talks to Ed Green, Investment Specialist at M&G, to explore why clients default to extreme caution and rigid mental accounting. Learn how market volatility distorts rational spending plans and discover how the adviser’s role must evolve from running mathematical cash-flow models to coaching clients to enjoy their wealth intentionally.Retirement Evolution Series
The Week in Brief – 27 July to 31 July Money Marketing 2026-07-30 | Heightened regulatory scrutiny over outcome evidence and the looming arrival of collective defined contribution schemes dominate the wealth agenda this week, demanding fresh strategic focus from advisers.The FCA warns that Consumer Duty data currently fails to prove good client outcomes, while former pensions minister Steve Webb outlines why advisers must urgently prepare for the rise of RCDCs.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days’ most significant industry developments: moneymarketing.co.uk
Retirement Evolution Series: Estate Planning Reimagined: Act Now Before Pensions Face Heavier Tax Money Marketing 2026-07-26 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-x35ei-1b1c130This episode explains how recent legislative changes have brought pensions into the inheritance tax (IHT) spotlight and why estate planning must be treated as active financial decisions made during life rather than a morbid conversation about death.Les Cameron and Kimberley Dondo cover immediate red flags for advisers, core IHT planning options (spend, insure, reliefs, gifting and trusts), practical steps for pension-driven liabilities, and the risks of delaying planning—emphasising early action, control, and tailored solutions.
The Week in Brief – 20 July to 24 July Money Marketing 2026-07-24 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekSweeping adjustments to retirement timelines coupled with escalating legal friction over legacy commission structures take centre stage in wealth management this week, signalling a period of intense operational and strategic realignment for firms.The industry faces immediate strategic hurdles as the Treasury confirms the state pension age will rise to 68 by 2039, while Jupiter finds itself facing a breach of contract lawsuit following its controversial removal of trail commission payments.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days' most significant industry developments: moneymarketing.co.uk
Retirement Evolution Series: Why One-Pot Portfolios Fail Money Marketing 2026-07-19 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-kr7y6-1b13e1eRelying on a single standalone multi-asset fund during decumulation exposes clients to a dangerous trio of headwinds: sequencing risk, longevity risk, and behavioural panic.In this episode, Kimberley Dondo talks to Andy Fear, Investment Business Development Manager at M&G, to explain why structural portfolio design must evolve.Learn how partitioning client wealth by purpose and combining drawdown, guaranteed income, and smoothed structures like PruFund can mitigate real-world risks and manage client anxiety during market dips.M&G PruFund now live on Scottish Widows Platform
The Week in Brief – 13 July to 17 July Money Marketing 2026-07-17 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekAn accelerated shift in state retirement planning alongside sweeping tax overhauls dominate the wealth management headlines this week, forcing advisers to completely rethink long-term wealth preservation.The industry faces immediate strategic hurdles as the Treasury confirms the state pension age will rise to 68 by 2039, while imminent inheritance tax reforms trigger a seismic shift in client planning conversations.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days' most significant industry developments: moneymarketing.co.uk
Retirement Evolution Series: When 60/40 Breaks: Building Resilient Portfolios in a New Era Money Marketing 2026-07-13 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-33vb9-1b0be66In this series opener, Amy Kibblewhite of M&G and Kimberley Dondo discuss how markets have shifted from a low-rate, low-volatility era to one defined by sticky inflation, higher interest rates, geopolitical risks and AI-driven concentration in equities. They explain why traditional 60/40 portfolios are under stress as equities and bonds increasingly move together.The conversation covers practical steps for advisors and investors: looking beyond public markets to private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private credit, understanding the true drivers of returns, avoiding hidden concentration risks, and building portfolios designed to navigate multiple future scenarios.
The Week in Brief – 06 July to 10 July Money Marketing 2026-07-10 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekSweeping structural changes to technological horizons alongside massive ownership shifts among prominent advice networks dominate the wealth management headlines this week, signalling a sector rapidly preparing itself for future scale and consolidation.The financial spotlight falls on these critical transformations as a fresh FCA review predicts AI will reshape financial advice by 2030, just as Schroders agrees to sell Benchmark, its UK integrated financial advice business, to Söderberg & Partners.Here is your essential round-up of the past seven days' most significant industry developments: moneymarketing.co.uk
The Hidden Decision Risks in Finance Boards | Nuala Walsh & Kimberley Dondo Money Marketing 2026-07-09 | Are wealth management leaders missing critical market signals? At the PIMFA Women’s Symposium, Kimberley Dondo interviews behavioural scientist and author Nuala Walsh to break down the concept of "deaf spots" in corporate decision-making. Learn how female leaders can cut through the noise of AI hype, leverage the "power of no", and make sharper choices in a chaotic market.
The Week in Brief – 29 June to 03 July Money Marketing 2026-07-03 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekIntensifying regulatory focus on cash interest practices and growing industry anxiety over irreversible retirement funding missteps dominate the wealth management headlines this week, driving a renewed emphasis on structural transparency and consumer protection.The financial spotlight falls squarely on critical cash dilemmas this week as the FCA targets platform 'double-dipping' on client money, while fresh data reveals that three in five retirees who withdrew tax-free cash now regret it.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
How AI and the Gender Wealth Gap Are Reshaping Financial Advice | Liz Field & Kimberley Dondo Money Marketing 2026-07-02 | Live from the PIMFA Women’s Symposium, Kimberley Dondo sits down with PIMFA Chief Executive Liz Field to discuss the massive wealth transfer toward women and what the push for proactive AI adoption means for the future of financial advice. Discover how firms can move beyond diversity metrics to capture real commercial opportunity while staying firmly within regulatory guardrails.
Money Talks: Closing the Income Protection advice gap Money Marketing 2026-06-29 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-5z7g5-1afacdfKimberley Dondo explores the core findings of CIExpert’s Critical Thinking 2026 report, sponsored by Royal London. Joined by Gregor Sked (Royal London) and Paul Roberts (CIExpert), this episode tackles the realities of the advice gap, whether traditional income protection fits non-linear modern careers, and how to successfully navigate cover for self-employed clients with variable incomes.Access the full findings here: ciexpert.uk/ct26-registration-royal-londonMoney Talks Podcast
The Week in Brief – 22 Jun to 26 Jun Money Marketing 2026-06-26 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekShifting dynamics in retirement income strategies and mounting political pressure over long-term state pension sustainability have taken centre stage in the wealth management landscape this week, prompting a critical review of traditional decumulation frameworks.Bucketing is no 'magic solution' for decumulation and Aegon urges next PM to address triple lock reform.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
MM Talks: The hidden emotional labour of financial advice with Emma Boardwell Money Marketing 2026-06-25 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-marqm-1af67b2Kimberly Dondo speaks with Emma Boardwell, founder of Emotional Finance, and Tom Brown about Emma’s move from psychotherapy into financial advice and her mission to bring emotional literacy into the industry.They discuss the emotional labour advisers carry, the need for clearer boundaries, how vulnerability should be handled, and why relational skills should be embedded in advisor training as technology automates technical tasks.
How to Get More Young Women into Investment Roles | Tanya Tracey & Kimberley Dondo Money Marketing 2026-06-24 | Fixing the gender investment gap starts with inspiring the pipeline. Live from the PIMFA Women’s Symposium, Kimberley Dondo interviews Tanya Tracey, CEO of GAIN UK, to discover how digital platforms can demystify the City for young girls, the single biggest financial literacy myth we need to bust, and the practical actions male allies can take tomorrow to support women in finance.
The Week in Brief – 15 Jun to 19 Jun Money Marketing 2026-06-19 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekRathbones has halted inflows from thousands of clients and scrapped fees on cash after the FCA raised concerns about the firm’s Consumer Duty failings.The FCA has also stepped up its use of early intervention measures, aiming to prevent consumer harm before issues escalate into full-blown scandals.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
The Week in Brief – 08 Jun to 12 Jun Money Marketing 2026-06-12 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekHigh-stakes regulatory crackdowns on fallen fund managers and major legal retributions against financial criminals have dominated the wealth management headlines this week, highlighting an aggressive push for accountability across the sector.FCA launches court action against Neil Woodford, and a jailed fraudster is ordered to repay £452,000 to victims.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
Thinking Bigger in the Age of AI: Human-Centred Innovation with Sneha Shah Money Marketing 2026-06-10 | "It’s not the tools, it’s the trust." SEI’s Sneha Shah argues that we are firmly in the age of AI, and success depends on a massive mindset shift. Discover why collaborative, team-building skills make women uniquely positioned to lead AI transformation, and how to redesign traditional career structures to thrive on the "jagged frontier" of new technology.
Money Talks: Inside Centralised Retirement Propositions Money Marketing 2026-06-09 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-eh953-1ae3723In this episode, Kimberley Dondo is joined by Ilana Miller from Royal London about centralised retirement propositions (CRPs): what they are, why firms are adopting them, and how Royal London published a fully worked, editable example to help firms create consistent, client-centred retirement frameworks.The conversation highlights behavioural research showing fear and false confidence shape retirement choices, explains why CRPs should treat retirement as a journey (not a single decision), and offers practical steps firms can take to align principles, client needs, income strategies and ongoing support.
The Week in Brief – 01 Jun to 05 Jun Money Marketing 2026-06-04 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekSweeping systemic threats to employee retirement wealth and leadership shakeups at the nation’s largest wealth managers have changed the financial planning landscape this week, signalling both massive policy fallout and corporate disruption.Millions set to cut pension saving under salary sacrifice changes, while Evelyn Partners CEO and CFO to step down after NatWest takeover.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
The Week in Brief – 25 May to 29 May Money Marketing 2026-05-29 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekSurging protection claim payouts and aggressive consolidation strategies have reshaped the operational landscape for advice firms this week, highlighting both the critical safety nets protecting clients and the rapid corporate growth redefining the sector.Scottish Widows paid £219 million in individual protection claims in 2025, while Octopus Legacy boosted its caseload by 348% with its latest acquisition.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
MM talks: Rethinking Financial Advice from Entry to Exit with Hayley Rabbets Money Marketing 2026-05-28 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-f364q-1ad2627Hayley Rabbets joins MM Talks to introduce Evergreen, a Colton-backed initiative designed to support the full lifecycle of financial planners, from training and early careers through business growth and succession planning.She discusses practical steps to close the advice gap, the role of coaching and education alongside technology, and the need for diverse, structured career pathways and community support across the profession.
MM talks: Rethinking Financial Advice from Entry to Exit with Hayley Rabbets Money Marketing 2026-05-26 | Hayley Rabbets joins MM Talks to introduce Evergreen, a Colton-backed initiative designed to support the full lifecycle of financial planners, from training and early careers through business growth and succession planning.She discusses practical steps to close the advice gap, the role of coaching and education alongside technology, and the need for diverse, structured career pathways and community support across the profession.
The Week in Brief – 18 May to 22 May Money Marketing 2026-05-22 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekFierce policy debates over capital gains tax and stark new forecasts regarding the nation's savings crisis have dominated the financial planning sector this week, exposing the deep divide between political ambition and harsh economic realities.Experts deemed Wes Streeting’s CGT shake-up an ‘idealist dream’, while the Pensions Commission warned that 15 million workers face an inadequate retirement.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
Money Talks: Economic Abuse Money Marketing 2026-05-19 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-2jg7y-1ac5480In this episode, Shelley Read of Royal London explores the rising problem of economic and financial abuse — how partners or carers use money, benefits, property and debt to control victims.She outlines differences between financial and economic abuse, highlights high-risk groups and common red flags, and offers practical advice for advisors, friends and family on spotting signs, supporting victims and signposting help.
The Week in Brief – 11 May to 15 May Money Marketing 2026-05-15 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekMounting regulatory friction and the celebration of a distinguished professional legacy have taken centre stage in the wealth management sector this week, emphasising both the operational hurdles and the human impact driving the industry forward.HMRC found itself under intense pressure over pension IHT guidance delays, while the industry paid moving tributes to the FCA’s ‘well-respected’ Mark Goold.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
The Week in Brief – 04 May to 08 May Money Marketing 2026-05-08 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekAmbitious calls for systemic reform and new leaps in digital integration have dominated the professional conversation this week, highlighting a tension between radical policy ideas and practical technological progress.The Tony Blair Institute’s latest pension proposals were met with sharp criticism as ‘deeply troubling.’ At the same time, Söderberg, Seccl, and Plannr joined forces to launch a highly anticipated integrated account opening solution.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
MM Talks: Tackling the talent pipeline and the future of advice with Cathi Harrison Money Marketing 2026-05-01 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-dtdkh-1ab096cCathi Harrison, CEO of Verve and the Verve Foundation, explains how the foundation evolved since 2021 to attract and train new talent for the finance sector. She discusses program redesigns, a new recruitment platform, and bootcamps to help advisers launch independent firms.The episode covers key challenges like competent adviser status, industry bottlenecks, the role of independent academies, and the impact of AI on training and job roles. Cathi also shares her personal journey as an entrepreneur and how she balances leadership with family life.
MM Talks: Tackling the talent pipeline and the future of advice with Cathi Harrison Money Marketing 2026-04-30 | Money Marketing’s Kimberley Dondo, Tom Browne, and Dan Cooper sit down with Cathi Harrison, founder & CEO at Verve and the Verve Foundation, to dissect a landmark year for the organisation and the wider financial advice profession. This episode moves beyond surface-level initiatives to address the "broken pathways" in the industry, examining why the "first job problem" persists and how the sector can better absorb the talent it attracts.Cathi also offers a personal perspective on the realities of leadership, sharing how she navigates the demands of being a business owner alongside the complexities of motherhood.
The Week in Brief – 27 Apr to 01 May Money Marketing 2026-04-30 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekLegislative breakthroughs and a surge in regulatory scrutiny have reshaped the financial landscape this week, demanding a closer look at both statutory shifts and consumer outcomes.The Pension Schemes Bill finally passed after a protracted period of 'ping pong' between Houses, while FCA data revealed that total complaints hit 1.87m, largely fueled by grievances in the insurance and protection sectors.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
The Week in Brief – 20 Apr to 24 Apr Money Marketing 2026-04-24 | Money Marketing’s must-reads: Top 10 stories of the weekRadical shifts in legislative frameworks and the accelerating integration of artificial intelligence have forced a fundamental reappraisal of long-term financial strategies this week.Baroness Ros Altmann warned that the Finance Act has turned pension planning on its head, while the FCA furthered its digital agenda by naming the second cohort for its AI live testing programme.Below is our summary of the most influential developments from the past week: moneymarketing.co.uk
The Advice Shift | Episode 3: Mechanisms to Protect Investors Money Marketing 2026-04-21 | Source:podbean.com/eau/pb-recef-1a9f58fIn this episode, Andy Brown and Mark Baldwin explain how product design—especially smooth funds—acts as behavioral insurance to help investors avoid knee-jerk reactions to political and market volatility, bridge the gap between annuities and drawdown, and keep retirement plans on track.They discuss diversification, creating constructive friction, the advisor’s role in changing the conversation with nervous clients, and how smoothing strategies can reduce anxiety while preserving growth potential.
The Advice Shift | Ep 1: The Move to Behavioural Finance Money Marketing 2026-04-17 | Financial advisers are increasingly finding that technical expertise alone is no longer the primary driver of firm growth.In this episode of The Advice Shift, Mark Baldwin from Standard Life joins us to discuss the "Beyond the Numbers" research and why the industry is pivoting towards a human-first approach.We explore the Iceberg Model of client needs, where emotional drivers and behavioural finance sit beneath the surface of traditional financial planning. With 84% of advisers agreeing that the most effective plan is the one a client actually sticks to, we examine the business case for behavioural advice in boosting client retention and facilitating smoother intergenerational planning. Discover how better questioning techniques can transform your retirement planning process without the need for a psychology degree.
The Advice Shift | Episode 2: Why Complex Formulas Fail Clients Money Marketing 2026-04-17 | The advice gap remains a significant challenge for the UK financial sector, with 90% of people currently making major financial decisions unsupported.In this episode of The Advice Shift, Mark Baldwin and Andy Brown from Phoenix Group discuss why the industry's obsession with complex mathematical formulas often creates a barrier to trust. We tackle the "Great Compromise"—the fundamental tension between the desire to save for the future and the immediate need to feel good today.By examining AKG research on the rising cost of living, we discuss how advisers can keep clients focused on long-term objectives during times of financial stress. Learn why making retirement feel less distant and more human is the key to closing the advice gap and building lasting client relationships.
