What if your advisers could serve 20–30 more clients, save 45 minutes per meeting, and reduce suitability report time from 3 hours to 10 minutes - all without hiring more support staff?

That’s what Saturn AI is already delivering for over 600 financial planning firms  ( 1600 Advisers ), and in this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with co-founder Rohit Vaisha to explore how.

But this isn’t another “AI will replace advisers” narrative.

Saturn’s mission is to enhance human connection, not remove it, using AI as fuel to scale trust, proactivity, and personalised client care.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Saturn AI boosts adviser productivity and efficiency across the advice journey
• Why paraplanners and compliance teams are key to scaling with AI
• The rise of proactive, always-on client engagement (and what advice firms can learn from Instagram and Netflix)
• The “universal adviser” model - what it is, and why it’s the future
• Why AI is only as good as the problems it’s solving — and the partners implementing it

💡 Whether you're an adviser, paraplanner, compliance lead, or business owner, this is your blueprint for using AI to grow your firm without losing the human touch.

👉 Book a meeting with Saturn AI: here

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. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected]

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

Thinking about a career in financial planning?

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Miriam Murphy joins Sam Oakes to share her powerful career switch story, from Executive Assistant to qualified financial planner, with support from the St. James’s Place Academy.

Miriam opens up about her early money mindset, paying off debt, buying a home, and how mentorship from Rob Gardner helped her see the potential she hadn’t yet recognised in herself. If you're considering becoming a financial planner or making a career change, this is the episode for you.

We cover:

• How the St. James’s Place Academy supports career changers
• The emotional journey from debt to financial freedom
• Why executive assistants make brilliant financial planners
• The power of mentorship in shaping your career
• How financial planning changed Miriam’s life
• Building a business with purpose and empathy
• The mindset shifts that make you better with money
• Creating a niche offering as an Executive Financial Assistant (EFA)

👉 Interested in finding out more about the St. James’s Place Academy?
Click here: https://www.sjp.co.uk/academy

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. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected]

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

 Wayne Griffiths | One Financial Solutions | Financial Planner Careers

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes sit down with Wayne Griffiths, Managing Partner at One Financial Solutions, to explore how he’s creating meaningful, supportive career paths for self-employed financial planners.

We also dive into the ongoing debate: what’s better, restricted or IFA? Wayne shares his honest views and explains why the best advice always comes down to trust and intention—not just labels.

Wayne also opens up about his journey from financial planner to business leader, his passion for life cover and protection advice, and how his firm supports advisers at every stage of their journey - whether you're starting out, looking to grow, or transitioning your career.

If you're an IFA or employed financial planner considering your next step, this episode is packed with insights about control, earnings, and working within a values-driven firm.

In this episode:

• Building careers in financial planning
• The value of protection and life cover
• Self-employed IFA career support
• IFA vs. restricted advice
• Why One Financial Solutions stands out
• Advice for new and experienced financial planners

Interested in joining One Financial Solutions? Click here or reach out to Wayne directly.

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. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected]

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

From Admin to Self-Employed Financial Planner with £10M AUM by 26! 

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Lawrence Bearman, a 26-year-old Chartered Financial Planner at Westminster Wealth Management who's gone from admin assistant to managing £10 million in assets, all within his first year of self-employment.

We unpack:

• Why Lawrence chose to go self-employed with just £3M AUM
• How he tripled his assets in 12 months without cold calls or networking events
• The £10K personal investment he made to become a better communicator
• His laser-focused niche: high-earning lawyers - book a meeting here 
• Why Westminster Wealth gave him the freedom to build his business his way

Lawrence’s story is packed with actionable insight for both aspiring advisers and experienced professionals ready to take control of their financial planning careers.

https://linktr.ee/wwmrecruitment

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. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected]

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

From Critical Illness to £60M Practice: Russell Cook’s Story of Resilience, Mindset and Career Growth at Foster Denovo

In this special partnership episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast with Foster Denovo, we speak with Russell Cook — a senior partner, self-employed financial planner, and two-time survivor of life-threatening illness.

Russell shares how he built a thriving £60 million practice advising 120 clients, despite facing a rare blood cancer diagnosis and later, a brain tumour. His story is a powerful reminder that success in financial planning is as much about mindset and support as it is about knowledge and advice.

We cover:
 ✅ His seven-and-a-half-month hospital stay battling cancer
 ✅ How a critical illness policy helped him and his family stay afloat
 ✅ The power of team support under the Foster Denovo partner model
 ✅ Running multiple marathons post-recovery and raising £28,000 for charity
 ✅ Preparing for retirement while ensuring continuity and client care
 ✅ The role of Foster Denovo in his success and succession planning.             

This episode is about resilience, gratitude and the value of doing work that truly matters. If you’re a self-employed financial planner or considering a career at Foster Denovo, don’t miss it.

🎧 Plus, discover more stories from those building successful careers in the Foster Denovo ecosystem on their new podcast: Foster Denovo Talks.

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. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected]

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

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, host Sam Oakes reconnects with Emmanuel Asuquo, a leading financial planner, TV personality, and social media educator. Emmanuel was Sam’s second-ever guest when the podcast launched, making this a special full-circle conversation.

They dive deep into Emmanuel’s journey from growing up on a council estate to becoming one of the UK’s most recognisable financial planners, using platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to educate and entertain audiences.

Discover how Emmanuel built a purpose-driven career in financial planning, leveraged social media to attract clients, and became a trusted voice for financial education across the UK.

Topics include:
 ✅ How to use social media for client generation
 ✅ The importance of authenticity and storytelling
 ✅ Why niching down builds stronger engagement
 ✅ The future of careers in financial planning
 ✅ Building trust through “edutainment”

If you’re a financial planner looking to grow your business, build your brand, or attract the next generation of clients and talent, this is a must-watch (or listen).

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. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected]

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

In this episode of the financial planner life podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Katie, a former Army officer who transitioned into a successful financial planning career with the St. James’s Place Academy.

Katie’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and building a business that fits around life’s big moments, including becoming a mum mid-way through growing her firm.

We cover:

✅ How military skills like leadership, discipline, and resilience translate into financial planning

✅ What it’s really like going through the St. James’s Place Academy (and how Katie passed her exams in just 6 months)

✅ The importance of mentorship and building your support network

✅ How social media, especially Instagram Stories, has helped her win new clients

✅ Balancing business growth and motherhood, and how becoming a parent opened new networking opportunities

✅ Why financial planning needs more diverse voices and more women in leadership

✅ Tips for using LinkedIn and Instagram for business development

✅ The power of storytelling and human connection in financial services

Whether you’re ex-military, thinking about a career change, or wondering how to balance parenthood with self-employment, this is a must-watch.

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. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected]

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

Jeri Williams on Scaling a Business, Letting Go of Control, and Building a Life with More Freedom

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes sits down with Jeri Williams, the powerhouse behind Smooth Accounting in the UK and now Smooth Dubai.

Jeri shares how she built a business that runs without her, the mindset shift that allowed her to finally let go of control, and why protecting her time is now non-negotiable.

We dive deep into:

✅ Why she expanded into Dubai - and how it’s transforming her business
✅ The reality of stress and anxiety as a business owner
✅ What it really means to delegate and build a self-sufficient team
✅ Her obsession with time, freedom, and being present for her kids
✅ How showing up consistently online has helped her grow a loyal client base
✅ The role of marketing in building trust, visibility, and long-term success
✅ Why community, not competition, is at the heart of her approach

This conversation is packed with practical insights for business owners, financial professionals, and anyone chasing more freedom without sacrificing success.

🔗 Learn more about Jeri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeriwilliams
📚 Join the waitlist for her new book on moving to Dubai
🎧 Subscribe for more career stories and insights from Financial Planner Life

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. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected]

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

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes speaks with Aleem Nijabat, a self-employed financial planner who built £12 million in AUM without a client bank, without leads, and without a background in finance.

Aleem started during lockdown, working alone from his bedroom. He had just qualified, had no clients, and relied entirely on cold outreach through LinkedIn to get started.

This conversation is packed with practical advice for anyone considering a self-employed career in financial planning, especially those thinking about going it alone.

What we cover:

• How Aleem used LinkedIn Sales Navigator to connect with ideal clients
• Why consistency in cold outreach beats waiting for inbound leads
• What it really felt like starting during a market downturn
• The role mentorship played in levelling up his client base
• How joining Foster Denovo changed the game for his business
• Why testimonials and authentic content now matter to his strategy
• His goal of becoming a Senior Partner before the age of 30

This episode offers a real-world view of what it takes to build a financial planning business from the ground up. It’s not about shortcuts or luck - it’s about showing up every day and doing the work.

👉 Ready to take control of your financial planning career?
Subscribe for weekly conversations with the professionals shaping the future of this industry.

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. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected]

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

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes is joined by certified money coach Dennis Harhalakis to explore the powerful emotional side of money - and why financial planners can't afford to ignore it.

Dennis shares how our earliest money experiences shape the way we think, feel, and act around money as adults. Whether it’s shame, fear, scarcity, or self-worth, these emotional drivers often get in the way of good financial decision-making. 

We discuss:

• Why childhood money stories influence adult financial behaviour
• How money shame blocks clients from implementing advice
• Why planners must understand their own money beliefs first
• The power of creating emotional safety in client conversations
• Tools and training to help financial planners explore money coaching

If you're a financial planner who wants to build deeper trust, improve client outcomes, and bring more human connection into your advice process - this one's for you.

🔗 Learn more about Dennis and Cambridge Money Coaching:
https://www.cambridgemoneycoachinguk.com/

📌 Subscribe to the channel for more career insights from the world of financial planning.
👍 Like this video if it made you think differently about client conversations.
🗣 Drop a comment — what’s your first memory of money?

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. 

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Reach out to [email protected]

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