

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

Aug 19, 2021 • 50min
Learning on the job rather than university - Financial Planner & MD Jasmine Lambert
This week Elena is joined by Jasmine Lambert, Chartered Financial Planner & Managing Director of family run Redwood Financial. Jasmine is proof that you don’t have to go to university to have a successful career within financial planning, there is huge value in getting work experience and learning on the job instead. Jasmine shares her career journey with us, how she believes that family run businesses can be inclusive to everyone plus she gives us some top tips on building confidence and nailing client meetings! We cover: What it’s like being a young female financial planner The transition from a financial planner into management Practical learning vs theory. What you can’t learn in a textbook Getting client facing experience The power of visualisation How to encourage more students/young people to join a wealth management firm Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planning Qualifications guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/whats-the-true-cost-of-becoming-a-financial-planner-or-paraplanner-a-definitive-guide/ 2021financial planner salary guide Financial planning Salary Guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/recruit-uk-salary-survey-2020/ If you are an experienced financial planning candidate looking for a new job opportunity please reach out directly to sam@financialplannerlife.com or call 07854778712 he covers all roles within the profession across the UK. if you hold level 4 qualification and looking for an entry role into financial planning please also reach out! Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Aug 12, 2021 • 45min
Being a young Financial Planner in an ageing profession - Tom Hopson
This week Elena is joined by Chartered Financial Planner Tom Hopson from HFMC Wealth LLP. Tom faces a particular challenge in his career, he’s young! Did you know that 58% of financial planners are due to retire within the next 10 years!? This means that young planners like Tom are rare and more will be needed to fill the gap. Tom shares with us the challenges that he faces as a young financial planner, how he overcomes these challenges, plus he even gives advice to young people hoping to get into the profession. We also discuss how money seems to be a taboo topic and the only way to financial prosperity is to talk about it! We cover: The importance of career guidance/mentorship Barriers that a young financial planner faces & how to overcome them Imposter syndrome How to building rapport with your clients Advice for any young aspiring financial planners Why wealth management firms need young advisers Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planning Qualifications guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/whats-the-true-cost-of-becoming-a-financial-planner-or-paraplanner-a-definitive-guide/ 2021financial planner salary guide Financial planning Salary Guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/recruit-uk-salary-survey-2020/ If you are an experienced financial planning candidate looking for a new job opportunity please reach out directly to sam@financialplannerlife.com or call 07854778712 he covers all roles within the profession across the UK. if you hold level 4 qualification and looking for an entry role into financial planning please also reach out! Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Aug 5, 2021 • 1h 23min
Lead generation for Financial Planners – Nigel Borwell
This week Sam is joined by Nigel Borwell from Lead Tech, one of the largest lead generation companies specifically for financial planners. Nigel talks us through what a good lead generation company actually does, how to find the right lead generation company for you and what questions you should be asking them. We also discuss new legislation which is being introduced by the FCA & Google later this year to help weed-out scammers and unscrupulous lead generation companies. For more information on Lead Tech you can visit their website here: https://www.lead-tech.co.uk We cover: What is a lead generation company? What does a good lead generation company look like? How you can avoid scammers. Is it worth paying for a lead generation company vs employing an internal marketing team? What financial planners can expect when working with Lead Tech. How much does a lead generation company cost? Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planning Qualifications guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/whats-the-true-cost-of-becoming-a-financial-planner-or-paraplanner-a-definitive-guide/ 2021financial planner salary guide Financial planning Salary Guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/recruit-uk-salary-survey-2020/ If you are an experienced financial planning candidate looking for a new job opportunity please reach out directly to sam@financialplannerlife.com or call 07854778712 he covers all roles within the profession across the UK. if you hold level 4 qualification and looking for an entry role into financial planning please also reach out! Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Jul 15, 2021 • 46min
The Foundation - Supporting Young Financial Planners Through Community
This week Sam is joined by Sean O’Brien, Financial Planner at WH Ireland. Sean has set up a group called The Foundation to help support young financial planners who are struggling to connect with like-minded professionals in the local area of Dorset & Hampshire on the South Coast of England. Today Sean tells us why he set up The Foundation, we discuss mental health as well as the power of community and how it can support successful and happy careers. The average age of a financial planner is 55 so it can be an isolating place for the younger generation. If you’re interested in more information about The Foundation then you can contact Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-o-brien-dippfs-83272442/ We cover: Sean’s professional journey Why The Foundation exists and who it’s for The power of community support Imposter syndrome & mental health The challenges young people face in the financial profession The importance of people & sales skills Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planning Qualifications guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/whats-the-true-cost-of-becoming-a-financial-planner-or-paraplanner-a-definitive-guide/ 2021financial planner salary guide Financial planning Salary Guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/recruit-uk-salary-survey-2020/ If you are an experienced financial planning candidate looking for a new job opportunity please reach out directly to sam@financialplannerlife.com or call 07854778712 he covers all roles within the profession across the UK. if you hold level 4 qualification and looking for an entry role into financial planning please also reach out! Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Jul 8, 2021 • 46min
The Importance of a Valued Workforce in the Financial Profession - Ross Mackie
This week Elena is joined by Ross Mackie, Chartered Financial Planner at Woodgate Financial Planning (part of the Chesterton House Group). We cover Ross’s professional journey plus we focus on career progression and how employers could/should support this. Ross highlights the great work that Chesterton House are doing to invest in their staff and explains how this can be even more important than customer care. A loyal, happy workforce will always go above and beyond for their clients. We cover: How Ross became the financial planner that he is today How he transitioned to financial advice from Paraplanning Virtual vs client facing How do Chesterton House help with employee career development? What financial planners should learn before facing clients The importance of treating staff and clients well Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planning Qualifications guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/whats-the-true-cost-of-becoming-a-financial-planner-or-paraplanner-a-definitive-guide/ 2021financial planner salary guide Financial planning Salary Guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/recruit-uk-salary-survey-2020/ If you are an experienced financial planning candidate looking for a new job opportunity please reach out directly to sam@financialplannerlife.com or call 07854778712 he covers all roles within the profession across the UK. if you hold level 4 qualification and looking for an entry role into financial planning please also reach out! Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Jul 1, 2021 • 1h 5min
Standing Out From The Crowd, with Mortgage Adviser Graham Taylor
This week Sam is joined by Graham Taylor, Mortgage adviser and owner of Hudson Rose Ltd. Sam stumbled across Hudson Rose via an Instagram advert and was instantly compelled to learn more due to their stand-out branding. Graham explains to us all that professionalism and looks aren’t necessarily related. Having a Mohican haircut and tattoos helps him to form deep relationships with his clients and stand out in a sea of suits and ties. Join us for a very fun and thought-provoking chat. We cover: Graham’s professional journey Marketing and how to stand out How to make customers feel at ease Employed vs self-employed Advice for any budding mortgage advisers Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planning Qualifications guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/whats-the-true-cost-of-becoming-a-financial-planner-or-paraplanner-a-definitive-guide/ 2021financial planner salary guide Financial planning Salary Guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/recruit-uk-salary-survey-2020/ If you are an experienced financial planning candidate looking for a new job opportunity please reach out directly to sam@financialplannerlife.com or call 07854778712 he covers all roles within the profession across the UK. if you hold level 4 qualification and looking for an entry role into financial planning please also reach out! Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Jun 24, 2021 • 48min
What is Sustainable Investing? - Clemence Chatelin
This week Elena is joined by Clemence Chatelin, head of Sustainable Investing at Paradigm Norton, an award-winning financial planning firm based in Bristol, Torquay and London. Clemence shares with us exactly what sustainable investing is and how we can all get involved to help make the world a better place. Clemence also shares with us a great example of what a sustainable company looks like, the huge benefits of graduate schemes as well as the realities of being a female in the financial profession. Did you know that only 17% of financial advisers are female?! We cover: What is sustainable investing? An example of a sustainable company. The importance of graduate schemes and mentorships. What it’s like being a female in the financial profession. Encouraging more females to become financial advisers. How a low turnover of staff can be achieved Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planning Qualifications guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/whats-the-true-cost-of-becoming-a-financial-planner-or-paraplanner-a-definitive-guide/ 2021financial planner salary guide Financial planning Salary Guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/recruit-uk-salary-survey-2020/ If you are an experienced financial planning candidate looking for a new job opportunity please reach out directly to sam@financialplannerlife.com or call 07854778712 he covers all roles within the profession across the UK. if you hold level 4 qualification and looking for an entry role into financial planning please also reach out! Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Jun 17, 2021 • 44min
Building Client Trust with Divorce Financial Specialist Nikki Pipping
Elena is joined by Financial Adviser & Vouched for 2021 Top Rated Adviser Nikki Pipping from Collective Financial Planning Ltd. Nikki specialises in divorcees, helping women to plan their financial futures. She is able to offer that personal touch because she has lived through this experience herself. This is the key to building trust and rapport with her clients and ultimately why she is so successful. As well as the importance of client trust, Elena and Nikki also talk about the power of LinkedIn as a relationship building tool and why firms will benefit from a diverse workforce in terms of age, gender and race. We cover: How you can use your personal experiences to add value and help others The importance of soft skills and building strong relationships Why progressive forward-thinking financial planning firms need to look at the age, race and gender profiles of their financial advisers. What problems divorced women face Essential characteristics of a financial planner Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planning Qualifications guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/whats-the-true-cost-of-becoming-a-financial-planner-or-paraplanner-a-definitive-guide/ 2021financial planner salary guide Financial planning Salary Guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/recruit-uk-salary-survey-2020/ If you are an experienced financial planning candidate looking for a new job opportunity please reach out directly to sam@financialplannerlife.com or call 07854778712 he covers all roles within the profession across the UK. if you hold level 4 qualification and looking for an entry role into financial planning please also reach out! Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

May 27, 2021 • 42min
The Importance of Paraplanners – Sasha Wakefield
Elena is back in the hot seat this week and she is joined by Chartered Financial Planner & Paraplanner Sasha Wakefield. Sasha shares her professional journey with us, why Paraplanning is such a fulfilling career, how we can encourage more people to become Paraplanners and how to avoid the initial barriers if you’re new to the profession. Sasha also gives some great advice to everyone out there on the importance of building relationships through networking. We cover: Why Paraplanning is such a fulfilling career How to avoid the barriers to enter wealth management The future of Paraplanning The power of asking for help & networking The importance of Paraplanners and the role they play How we can encourage more people to become Paraplanners Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planning Qualifications guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/whats-the-true-cost-of-becoming-a-financial-planner-or-paraplanner-a-definitive-guide/ 2021financial planner salary guide Financial planning Salary Guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/recruit-uk-salary-survey-2020/ If you are an experienced financial planning candidate looking for a new job opportunity please reach out directly to sam@financialplannerlife.com or call 07854778712 he covers all roles within the profession across the UK. if you hold level 4 qualification and looking for an entry role into financial planning please also reach out! Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

May 20, 2021 • 1h 9min
Success as a Financial Planner in the Offshore Market – Chris Ball
This week we are joined by Chris Ball, Managing Partner at Hoxton Capital Management, based in the UAE. Chris shares his career journey with us. He left school at 18 and despite success as a tax adviser, he dropped it all at age 24 to go and work in the UAE as a financial adviser. From humble beginnings (sleeping on a blow-up mattress!) Chris worked incredibly hard to rise through the ranks, eventually setting up his own business. His entrepreneurial journey has gone from kitchen start-up to 200+ staff. Join us for an inspirational chat and some home truths about the financial planning offshore market. We cover: The expectations and realities of working in the UAE Work hard play hard. The social life in the UAE How Chris started his business The risks and rewards of working in the offshore market What could a new business developer or coordinator expect in their role Are there less clients to target in the offshore market? Tax and earning potential in the UAE Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! below are some excellent links from our sponsor Recruit UK for any aspiring or experienced financial planners looking for new job opportunities or looking to get ahead in their career. Financial Planning Qualifications guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/whats-the-true-cost-of-becoming-a-financial-planner-or-paraplanner-a-definitive-guide/ 2021financial planner salary guide Financial planning Salary Guide https://recruitukltd.co.uk/recruit-uk-salary-survey-2020/ If you are an experienced financial planning candidate looking for a new job opportunity please reach out directly to sam@financialplannerlife.com or call 07854778712 he covers all roles within the profession across the UK. if you hold level 4 qualification and looking for an entry role into financial planning please also reach out! Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.