Jon Macintosh, Saltus Founder, discusses with Holly Mead being voted "Best Wealth Manager" in the Good Money Guide Awards.

He reflects on their 20 years in the financial services industry, emphasising the shift from investment management to financial planning. They discuss the impact of AI, the importance of client relationships, and the challenges of market volatility.

Jon also highlights the significance of early financial planning, the risks associated with private assets, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Plus highlights the value of financial advice and the need for a proactive approach to managing finances.

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating 20 Years in Business

01:21 The Shift to Financial Planning

02:26 AI's Role in Financial Services

04:41 Navigating Market Volatility

05:54 Understanding Fees and Value

07:51 The Importance of Early Financial Planning

09:50 Selling Peace of Mind

10:59 Learning from Investment Mistakes

12:45 The Risks of Private Assets

14:46 Money as a Means to an End

16:55 The Impact of Changing Regulations

19:15 The Future of Financial Planning

Holly Mead talks to Andrew Bresler, UK CEO of Saxo, who shares the company's recent achievements, strategic focus, and outlook for investors in 2026. He also explains how Saxo is innovating in multi-asset investing, fee structures, and helping clients navigate market volatility.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Saxo and Recent Achievements

02:47 Growth and Strategy in the UK Market

06:00 Investment Trends and Themes for 2026

08:56 Understanding Fees and Their Impact on Returns

12:00 Common Investment Mistakes and Lessons Learned

14:06 The Importance of Education in Investing

17:13 Future Developments and Innovations at Saxo

Holly Mead interviews Cem Eyi, co-founder of Beanstalk, about the importance of Junior ISAs and how Beanstalk is revolutionising children's investment. They discuss the app's features, the significance of starting early with investments, and the common mistakes parents make. Cem shares personal experiences with Junior ISAs and emphasises the need for financial education for the next generation. The conversation also touches on the government's role in encouraging savings and investment for children.
Tell us what you think of Beanstalk: https://goodmoneyguide.com/review/beanstalk/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Beanstalk and Its Success

02:54 Understanding Junior ISAs and Investment Strategies

05:36 Personal Experiences with Junior ISAs

08:34 Investment Themes and Government Influence

11:04 Enhancing the Junior ISA Experience

13:51 Common Mistakes and Balancing Investments

16:36 Advice for New Investors

19:28 Future of Beanstalk and the Next Generation of Investors

Holly Mead interviews Rob Morgan, Chief Analyst from Charles Stanley Direct, discussing the company's recent award for best stocks and shares ISA provider. They explore the unique features of Charles Stanley Direct, investment trends, personal investment strategies, common mistakes investors make, the importance of fee structures, and the impact of recent changes in ISA regulations. Rob shares insights on encouraging more people to invest and offers practical tips for ISA investors.

Tell us what you think of Charles Stanley Direct: https://goodmoneyguide.com/review/charles-stanley/https://goodmoneyguide.com/review/charles-stanley/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Charles Stanley Direct and Award Recognition

02:43 Investment Trends and Customer Behavior

05:25 Investment Strategies and Personal Experiences

08:01 Common Investment Mistakes and Portfolio Management

10:39 Fee Structures and Market Competition

13:25 Changes in ISA Regulations and Their Impact

16:20 Encouraging Investment and Future Trends

19:03 Final Tips for ISA Investors

Tell us what you think of Penfold: https://goodmoneyguide.com/review/penfold/

Chris Eastwood, CEO of Penfold, discusses the challenges and innovations in the pension industry. He emphasises the importance of making pension saving easier and more engaging, particularly for the self-employed and those affected by auto-enrollment. The discussion covers common mistakes people make regarding their pensions, the impact of regulatory changes, and the significance of investment themes like AI and longevity. Chris also shares insights on Penfold's growth and future plans to enhance customer service and engagement.Chapters00:00 What Does Penfold Do and Its Mission?02:50 The Pension Crisis and Auto-Enrollment05:50 Addressing the Self-Employed and Pension Contributions08:35 Common Pension Mistakes and Tracking Lost Pots11:26 Regulatory Changes and Trust in Pensions14:08 Investment Strategies and Future Trends16:54 Challenges for New Pension Providers19:44 Advice for Pension Savers and Future Plans for Penfold

Fresh from being voted "Best Investing App 2026" in the Good Money Guide Investing Awards, Holly Mead interviews Wanda Rutgers, the UK CEO of Lightyear, discussing the company's journey, its unique approach to investing, and the challenges and opportunities in the UK investment landscape. They explore the importance of making investing accessible, the impact of fees, common investment mistakes, and the role of behavioural finance. The discussion also touches on future trends in investing, including the influence of AI and the significance of fractional shares.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lightyear and Its Journey

02:48 Lightyear's Unique Approach to Investing

05:42 Navigating the UK Investment Landscape

08:23 Maximising the Lightyear App Experience

11:09 Understanding Fees and Their Impact on Investing

13:49 Common Investment Mistakes and Lessons Learned

16:39 The Future of Investing and Lightyear's Vision

19:26 The Role of AI and Market Trends

22:13 Behavioural Insights in Investing

25:11 Looking Ahead: Lightyear's Plans and Investor Tips

In this week’s podcast, Michael Brown (Senior Market Strategist from Pepperstone) and Michael Hewson look at more record highs for the FTSE100 as central bank rate easing bets increase, and UK data shows signs of a weak labour market.
They also look at the recent chatter around the early departure of Christine Lagarde as ECB President as well as looking at the latest results from NatWest, and BAE and look ahead to HSBC, Rolls-Royce and Nvidia results next week.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Announcement

02:59 Market Overview and Fed Minutes Discussion

05:51 UK Economic Data and Bank of England Outlook

09:04 Lagarde's Speculated Departure from the ECB

11:56 UK Youth Unemployment and Economic Policies

14:57 Earnings Reports and Market Reactions

17:56 BAE Systems and Defense Sector Insights

31:00 Walmart's Earnings and Market Reactions

32:45 Intercontinental Hotels and Economic Outlook

34:24 Earnings Season Overview

36:56 AI and Market Sentiment

37:44 Diageo's Turnaround Potential

40:30 HSBC's Performance and Real Estate Concerns

44:04 Rolls-Royce's Success Story

48:00 British Airways and Customer Loyalty

51:50 Nvidia's Market Position and Future Outlook

In this week’s podcast, Michael Brown (Senior Market Strategist from Pepperstone) and Michael Hewson discuss the stabilisation in gold and silver prices, AI corporate bond issuance, and the implications of Japan's political landscape on market dynamics. They analyse the recent US jobs report, and its impact on the economic outlook, as well as the UK economy's performance and government responses. Plus a look at this week’s news from BP and NatWest as well as looking ahead to next week’s UK inflation and unemployment numbers.

Chapters

00:00 Market Overview and Key Economic Indicators

02:43 Gold and Silver Market Dynamics

06:00 Corporate Capital Expenditure and Debt Issuance

08:55 Japan's Economic Landscape and Political Stability

11:57 US Jobs Report Analysis

14:54 UK GDP and Economic Growth Concerns

17:56 Sector Performance and Business Investment

20:47 Corporate Earnings and Market Reactions

30:15 Market Reactions and Earnings Reports

33:01 Banking Sector Dynamics and Acquisitions

35:57 Consumer Behavior and Economic Indicators

38:57 Inflation Trends and Monetary Policy

42:02 Labor Market Challenges and Wage Growth

46:12 Retail Sales and Consumer Spending Trends

48:00 US GDP Insights and Economic Forecasts

50:53 Defense Sector Growth and Market Opportunities

54:05 Walmart's Performance and Market Positioning

Michael Brown (Senior Market Strategist from Pepperstone) and Michael Hewson discuss the sharp sell-off in both gold and silver and whether it signals an end to the recent bull run. They also look at this week’s BOE rate decision as well as the bumper numbers from Alphabet, its huge pledge on AI spend, as well as looking at the numbers from Apple. They also look ahead to next week’s UK Q4 GDP numbers, and the full year results from Barclays and NatWest.

In this week’s podcast, Michael Brown (Senior Market Strategist from Pepperstone) and Michael Hewson discuss the record highs in gold and silver, as well as President Trump’s comments on the US dollar. They also look at this week’s numbers from Lloyds, Tesla and Microsoft and look ahead to next week’s BOE and ECB meetings, as well as the latest results from Shell, Vodafone, Amazon and Alphabet.