What happens when you realise your relationship with money needs to change, and it ends up changing your entire life?

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes speaks with Hannah Wooldridge about her journey from living with £10,000 of debt without concern to becoming debt-free and pursuing a career in financial planning.

Hannah shares the moment that shifted her perspective, how she paid off her debt within a year, and why that experience sparked a deeper curiosity about saving, investing, and financial independence.

She also opens up about leaving a job that no longer aligned with her values, how building an emergency fund gave her the freedom to step away, and what it’s like exploring financial planning as a career in real time.

This episode highlights the power of mindset, the importance of financial education, and why lived experience is becoming increasingly valuable in the next generation of financial advisers.

Key Takeaways 🔥

• Why debt often feels normal while it’s building
• The mindset shift that drives real financial change
• How paying off debt can spark curiosity about money
• Why investing feels complex (and how to push past it)
• The importance of emergency funds for life flexibility
• How financial security enables career decisions
• Why financial planning is becoming more accessible
• The value of sharing your journey before you’re qualified
• How lived experience builds stronger client relationships

If you’re thinking about improving your relationship with money or considering a career in financial planning, this episode offers a relatable and honest perspective on what it really takes to change direction.

Follow Hannah on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok

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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

What happens when a professional athlete’s career comes to an end… and what comes next? 

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes sits down with Ethan Waller, a former professional rugby player turned financial planner at Titan Wealth, to explore the reality of transitioning out of sport and into a new career. 

Ethan shares his personal journey from a 14-year rugby career into financial planning, opening up about the emotional challenges that come with losing identity, structure and purpose, even when you think you’re prepared. 

He breaks down Titan Wealth’s Sports Academy, a new programme designed to help athletes retrain as financial advisers while still playing, giving them the qualifications, experience and support needed to step into a second career with confidence. 

This episode covers the hidden side of life after professional sport, why financial planning is a natural fit for athletes, and how, with the right structure, community and opportunity, it can open up an entirely new pool of professionals. 

Key Takeaways 🔥

• Why transitioning out of professional sport is often harder than expected
• How Titan Wealth’s Sports Academy helps athletes retrain as financial advisers
• The emotional impact of losing identity, purpose, and structure after sport
• Why financial planning is a natural career fit for athletes
• The importance of starting qualifications while still playing
• How real client exposure accelerates learning and confidence
• The benefits of an employed route when changing careers
• The key skills needed to succeed as a financial planner

If you’re an athlete or considering a career change from any industry into financial planning, this is a powerful and honest conversation about what it really takes to start again. 

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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes is joined by Helen Longland from Openwork and David Tait from Redmill Advance to explore how advisers are really being developed in today’s profession and what it takes to build an academy that works at scale without losing quality.

Helen and David bring a long-standing working relationship into the conversation. Having partnered on previous academies, they share how that experience shaped the decision for Openwork to work with Redmill again when launching its new Academy. This episode gives a clear view of how that partnership operates in practice and why trust, transparency, and delivery matter when developing new advisers.

The discussion begins with the wider industry context. An ageing adviser population, ongoing challenges in attracting new talent, and why firm-led recruitment alone is no longer enough to address the advice gap. From there, Helen explains how the Openwork Academy has been structured to provide a clearer, more supported route into the profession.

Listeners are taken step by step through the Academy journey. Starting with RO qualifications and internal licensing, where technical knowledge is built alongside advice skills and communication. This is supported by Redmill through structured learning, blended delivery, and clear visibility on learner progress.

The journey then moves into central employed practice, where individuals begin working with real clients while being supported by experienced advisers, managers, and coaches. This stage also includes Competent Adviser Status sign-off, removing a key barrier many face when entering the profession.

From there, the focus shifts to ongoing development. Advisers continue to build their capability through Openwork’s Business School, with access to continuous professional development, leadership training, and further qualifications. For those looking to build their own businesses, the Route to Principal provides a structured pathway into running a firm, supported by peer-to-peer learning and growth programmes.

The episode also explores the flexibility within the Academy. Individuals can progress at their own pace, with the option to specialise in protection or mortgages, or continue through to full diploma-level advice. A key part of this is the employed route, which remains rare in the market and plays an important role in attracting both younger entrants and second careerists.

Alongside this, Helen shares insight into OWL Financial, where she is Director. This provides a self-employed protection route, with real examples of individuals building advice businesses alongside existing careers before progressing further.

Throughout the episode, David explains how Redmill supports the Academy at every stage. From qualification delivery and le

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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

How can financial advisers use AI to grow their business without hiring more staff?

Book Free Demo of Wealth Space - Here

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes sits down with Max Anderson, former financial planner and founder of Wealth Space, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the day-to-day reality of running an advice firm.

Max built Wealth Space after experiencing the same challenge most advisers face today: capacity.

Advice firms are not short of demand. They are short of time.

Client meetings, suitability reports, compliance documentation, and administration create an operational bottleneck that stops firms from scaling.

In this conversation we explore how AI for financial advisers can reduce admin, improve productivity, and help firms grow without increasing headcount.

Max also shares how the technology was used in his own advice business and how it helped replace adviser capacity for £149 per month.

We also discuss:

• How AI is changing financial planning
 • Reducing suitability report time from 90 minutes to 20 minutes
• Using technology to increase adviser capacity
• Growing from 80 clients to 120 clients per adviser
• Why the biggest challenge in advice firms is operational workflow
• How AI tools can support paraplanners and advisers
• The future of advice technology and the Polaris junior adviser model

If you're curious about AI in financial planning, wealthtech, or how advice firms can scale more efficiently, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now to learn how artificial intelligence could reshape the future of financial advice.

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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes speaks with Caroline Laudren-Quillet, who transitioned from investment banking at Deutsche Bank to becoming a self-employed IFA and financial planner.

Just two years into her financial planning career, Caroline has built £14 million assets under management, while balancing family life and designing a career with genuine flexibility.

Caroline shares her full journey from investment banking to financial planning, including how she qualified, why she chose the self-employed IFA route, and how she evaluated different firms before joining a directly authorised financial planning firm.

We also dive into the practical realities of becoming a financial adviser in the UK. This includes how much money you need saved before going self-employed, how adviser revenue splits work, and what support new financial planners should look for when joining a firm.

Caroline also explains how she generated clients in her first two years as an IFA through Unbiased leads, networking groups, accountant referrals, and financial wellbeing workshops.

If you are exploring a career change into financial planning, thinking about becoming a financial planner or financial adviser, or weighing up the self-employed IFA route, this episode is packed with practical insights.

What we cover:

• Moving from investment banking to IFA
•  Completing financial planning qualifications (Level 4)
•  Choosing between IFA academies vs smaller financial planning firms
•  The realities of becoming a self-employed financial adviser
•  How much savings you need before going self-employed
•  How financial advisers are paid and how fee splits work
•  Building your client bank from scratch
•  Lead generation for financial planners
•  Networking, referrals and LinkedIn for advisers
•  Why financial planning offers purpose and flexibility

This episode of Financial Planner Life is essential listening for anyone considering a career as a financial adviser, financial planner, or self-employed IFA.

00:00 - Ex-Deutsche Bank Investment Banking to IFA: self-employed start + £14m AUM

 01:23 - Mindset check: “It’s Friday” + starting your Financial Adviser journey

 02:34 - Why she left Investment Banking: COVID, redundancy, pregnancy, Plan B

 03:56 - Finding the UK Financial Planning route: Sam’s videos + where to begin

 05:27 - Lifestyle + family: why becoming a Self-Employed IFA fit her life

 06:58 - Choosing a small firm: Directly Authorised IFA vs bigger routes

 11:01 - Big bank to small Financial Planning firm: freedom, purpose, building a team

 15:27 - Comparing firms: Quilter/SJP academy vs smaller IFA setup

 17:20 - Going self-employed as a financial adviser: the 9–12 month savings rule

 21:34 - What support should look like: paraplanners, mentoring, case checking

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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

The Evolution of International Financial Planning | Titan Wealth International | Dubai Careers and Global Financial Advice Opportunities

International Financial Planning is evolving and Titan Wealth International is helping shape what comes next.

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes sits down with Tyla Phillips and William Burrows, now part of the senior leadership team at Titan Wealth International, to explore their journey from starting at the bottom in Dubai to becoming leaders within one of the fastest-growing global financial planning businesses.

Both Tyla and Will share the harsh early realities of building an international financial planning career. No safety net. No guaranteed pipeline. Just resilience, ambition and a willingness to learn.

They went on to become top producers in the international space before founding Harrison Rose. That business later merged with Arlo to form AHR, combining leadership, infrastructure and ambition. Eventually, AHR was acquired by Titan Wealth, marking the creation of a true global powerhouse in international financial planning.

In this episode we cover:

• The real story of starting a financial planning career in Dubai
 • Building Harrison Rose from scratch
 • Merging with Arlo to create AHR
 • Why they chose to join Titan Wealth
 • What makes Titan Wealth International different
 • Clear career structures and employed adviser opportunities
 • Market leading remuneration models
 • The adviser marketing fund and fair lead distribution system
 • The importance of culture and cognitive calm in high performance environments
 • What One Titan means across global offices

Titan Wealth now manages £44 billion in assets, employs over 1,400 people globally and benefits from long term private equity backing. The group continues to expand internationally, offering financial planning careers and global financial advice opportunities across Dubai, Mexico City, the USA, Europe, the Channel Islands, the UK and beyond.

Whether you are:

• Considering a move into international financial planning
 • Exploring Dubai careers
 • Looking for global financial advice opportunities
 • Or thinking about exiting your business and want to hear from founders who have successfully gone through an acquisition with Titan Wealth

This episode is essential listening. 

Reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in careers at Titan Wealth.  

International financial planning is entering a new era, and this conversation gives you an inside look at where the profession is heading.

Listen 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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

Thinking about a career change into financial planning?

How do you become a financial adviser if you’re changing careers?
In this episode of The Financial Planner Life Podcast with Titan Wealth, Azela explains the fastest practical route into the profession after moving from engineering into financial advice.

Should you start as a paraplanner before becoming a financial adviser?
Azela breaks down why paraplanning builds technical knowledge, client meeting experience, and confidence — making it one of the strongest entry points into a trainee financial planner role.

What do firms look for in career changers entering financial planning?
We discuss mindset, transferable skills, qualifications, and how to stand out when moving into the UK financial advice profession.

Check out Titan Wealth career opportunities here, or speak to me directly!  

This episode is essential listening for anyone researching a financial planning career, exploring the move from paraplanner to financial adviser, or planning a career pivot into finance.

In this episode we cover:
• Changing careers from engineering into financial planning
• The quickest route to becoming a financial adviser
• Why paraplanning is a powerful entry point
• Building confidence in client meetings
• Skills needed for trainee financial planners
• Career opportunities inside Titan Wealth
• Real expectations of the financial advice profession
• Advice for career changers entering finance

If you’re asking “how do I become a financial adviser?” this episode gives practical answers from someone who’s done it.

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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

In this special episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes welcomes David Tate, Managing Director and Founder of Redmill Advance, our official training and development sponsor for 2026.

David shares the inspiring growth journey of Redmill Advance and how they are transforming training and development in the financial planning profession through accessible qualifications, CPD, and behavioural support. From self-study learners to large-scale corporate academies, David explains how their tech-first, learner-centric approach is improving pass rates and raising industry standards.

We explore learning styles, neurodiversity, and how financial planning firms can deliver consistent, high-quality CPD. With a first-time pass rate above 85% in their academies and less than 5% client churn since inception, Redmill Advance is quietly becoming one of the most impactful education providers in financial services.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring financial planners, T&C professionals, and business leaders seeking to develop internal talent and futureproof their advice businesses.

Key Subjects Covered in This Episode:

🎓 Qualifications & Learning Pathways in Financial Planning

• CII, CISI, LIBF qualification routes
• Diploma vs Chartered training
• Self-study vs Academy formats

🧠 Learning Styles & Neurodiversity 

• Supporting different learning preferences (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)
• Onboarding resources focused on study psychology
• Accommodating neurodiverse learners

📈 CPD, Competency & Regulatory Needs

• Bite-sized, digital-first CPD
• Centralised CPD solutions to reduce fragmentation
• Data-driven MI to identify training gaps and compliance needs

🧑‍💼 B2B Training & Academy Solutions

• Running academies for leading firms (SJP, Quilter, Mazars, etc.)
• White-labeled platforms (Redmill Advance Hub)
• Supporting HR, T&C, and compliance goals

💡 Business Growth & Market Impact

• Redmill’s journey from startup to major player
• Over 500 learning modules and growing
• Strong client retention and pass rates as proof points

🚀 Future of Redmill Advance

• Strategic investment in marketing and storytelling
• Hiring expert trainers to scale delivery
• Commitment to raising standards and closing the advice gap

To celebrate the Financial Planner Life x Redmill Advance partnership, you can enjoy 10% off ALL Redmill Advance learning solutions until 31st March 2026. Just use the code FPL2026 at checkout to receive your discount.

Click here: https://www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

This week on the Financial Planner Life podcast, I’m joined by Sean Standerwick, co-owner of MLP Wealth Management, a financial planning firm based on the high street in Surrey with a powerful story: a 42-year legacy that's now being run with the mindset and energy of a startup.

Sean and his brother have taken the reins from their father, infusing the business with a culture built on innovation, career development, and deep local community ties. From installing a defibrillator on their office wall to hosting pitch meetings where team members create service ideas, MLP isn't your average advice firm, and Sean isn’t your average leader.

We talk about:

• How being on the high street has driven client engagement and local brand dominance
• Building a startup culture in an established firm (and why that matters for talent attraction)
• The journey of James, a trainee-turned-adviser, and what great career development looks like
• How Sean’s practice of Buddhism influences company culture, emotional intelligence, and leadership
• What makes MLP’s recruitment and onboarding process different (and more human)
• Why hyper-local marketing still works in a digital-first world
• And how one small idea, pitched internally, led to new service lines like wills and LPAs
  
  

If you're an aspiring financial planner looking for a forward-thinking firm, or an established adviser wanting to run your own business without losing your soul, this one’s for you.

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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes speaks with Heather Hiley, founder of Heather Hiley Financial Planning and a Partner Practice with St. James’s Place. Heather shares her inspiring transition from retail and e-commerce into financial planning via the St James's Place Financial Adviser Academy at the age of 45, showing what’s possible with courage, curiosity, and commitment.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

• A Non-Traditional Start: Heather began her career in retail and ran a furniture business for over 10 years. Despite a long period without contributing to her pension, she felt a renewed interest in finance and discovered financial planning as a meaningful next step.
• The St. James’s Place Academy Journey: Heather explains why she chose the SJP Academy, how it helped her gain both qualifications and client-facing experience, and why resilience is essential when launching your own practice.
• Building Her Practice: Heather shares the reality of her first year. It was quiet at first, with an empty diary and no clients, but consistent action across face-to-face networking and social media helped her build momentum and credibility.
• Purpose-Driven Marketing: Instead of pushing sales, Heather committed to financial education in schools and community groups. Her genuine passion for helping others naturally attracted clients who resonated with her message and approach.
• Recognition and Contribution: Heather won the Mike Wilson Award for overall contribution at SJP. This acknowledged not only her business progress, but also her community involvement and mentorship within the SJP ecosystem.
• Supporting the Self-Employed and Business Owners: With a background in business ownership, Heather relates strongly to self-employed clients who often overlook financial planning. She uses her experience to support them in building secure financial futures.
• Giving Back with Purpose: Heather shares the emotional story behind the Alice Hiley Memorial Trust, founded in memory of her daughter. Her personal journey has deepened her empathy and shaped her purpose, both professionally and personally.
• Looking Ahead: Heather is focused on three things: taking a well-earned break, continuing to support her growing client base, and relaunching her charity with renewed energy. She’s also planning to bring in another adviser as her business grows.

 Why This Episode Matters:
If you're considering a career change, thinking about becoming a business owner in financial planning, or want to understand how purpose can shape professional success, Heather’s journey offers valuable lessons and heartfelt inspiration.

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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

Title: From 17 Clients to £500M AUM: How Marc Norris Built a Thriving Financial Planning Firm

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes is joined by Marc Norris, founder of Twelve Wealth Management, to explore how he went from estate agency to building a financial advice business with over £500 million under management.

Marc shares his journey from day one of the St. James’s Place Academy, through the early years of client acquisition, to leading a team of 38 advisers and staff, with big plans to triple the size of the business in the next five years.

🔥 What you'll learn in this episode:

• How Marc used his estate agency background to win early clients
• The role the SJP Academy played in helping him build the foundations
• Why mortgages were a strategic way to keep cash flow going and build trust
• How he built powerful introducer relationships, especially with accountants
• How he supports an accountancy firm with 8,000 clients through education and webinars
• Why relationship-building still beats technical knowledge in the early years
• How he plans to scale towards £1 billion AUM with a long-term mindset

💬 Marc’s story is a real-world example of what it takes to grow a successful advice business from the ground up and it’s packed with practical insights for anyone building a career in financial planning.

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 [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.