IFA Talk

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re bringing you a special episode of IFA Talk, the weekly podcast from IFA Magazine. This time, we’re shining a well-deserved spotlight on the incredible contributions of women in financial services.

Join Jenny Hunter and Sue Whitbread as they sit down with Yasmina Siadatan, Chief Revenue Officer at Dynamic Planner – and winner of The Apprentice back in 2009! Yasmina shares her thoughts on gender equality in financial services, the progress made, and the challenges that remain in helping more women step into leadership roles.

The conversation explores what International Women’s Day means to Yasmina and why it matters across all professions. She reflects on the growing presence (or not in some cases) of women in leadership roles within financial services, the impact of role models and mentorship, and the advice she would give to her younger self.

With this year’s theme of #AccelerateAction, the discussion also focuses on the practical steps businesses and individuals can take to promote diversity and inclusion beyond just one day of recognition.

This engaging and thought-provoking episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of financial services and the role of women in shaping it.

Later life lending is evolving rapidly, with new products, changing regulations, and growing opportunities for advisers and their clients.

In this special Mortgage and Property edition of IFA Talk, we’re joined by Sanjay Gadhia, Head of Sales at Standard Life Home Finance, who brings his expertise and passion for supporting advisers in this important market.

We explore how borrower needs are shifting, the latest product innovations, key regulatory changes, and some practical tips to stay ahead in the later life lending space.

Whether you're already advising in this area or looking to expand your services, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the evolving landscape and deliver the best outcomes for your clients.

Inheritance tax advice is a specialist area and it is recommended for clients to seek independent advice from a taxation specialist.

In this episode of IFA Talk, Jenny and Sue are diving into the evolving financial landscape and what it means for advisers and their clients. With tax and pension changes following the 2024 Autumn Budget, it’s more important than ever for advisers to stay informed on the latest trends and opportunities in financial planning.

To discuss these developments, we’re joined by Mark Devlin, Senior Technical Manager at M&G. Mark shares his expert insights on the key tax and pension implications of the budget and how advisers can navigate these changes effectively.

A key focus of this discussion is the rising popularity of insurance bonds, both onshore and offshore. Why are they becoming an increasingly attractive investment solution? What tax benefits do they offer? And how can advisers build a deeper understanding of these products to better serve their clients? Mark answers these questions and more, providing practical strategies for incorporating insurance bonds into financial planning.

Finally, we take a look at the fast-approaching tax year-end deadline and his useful tips, resources and tools that will help advisers support their clients even more at the time of year.

Retirement income planning is evolving fast — and staying ahead of the curve is crucial for advisers.

With the FCA’s retirement income advice review sparking big conversations last year, 2025 brings even more focus from the regulator on ensuring firms deliver the best outcomes for clients. The regulator is watching closely, so it’s essential to stay informed and ready for change.

In this week’s episode, we welcome back Richard Parkin, Head of Retirement at BNY Investments. Richard is a trusted expert in the field, known for his deep insights and practical knowledge on the subject of retirement income planning.

Join Richard, Sue, and Matt as they break down the findings of new research from BNY Investments and NextWealth: “Retirement Advice in the UK: Time for Change?” They explore the evolving role of advisers, the latest industry challenges, and what it all means for you and your practice in 2025. 

If you want to navigate the shifting landscape of retirement advice with confidence, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and get the insights you need to thrive in 2025.

In this episode of IFA Talk, we explore the rising demand for income protection and what is driving its strong growth over the past 12 months. To help us unpack this topic, we are joined by Shelley Read, Senior Protection Technical Manager at Royal London.

Shelley shares her expert insights into the factors influencing this increase, how advisers can best support clients in navigating income protection solutions, and the role of income protection in holistic financial planning. Throughout the discussion, we explore practical tips for applying for income protection, how advisers can guide clients through the claims process, and the support available for those having these important conversations with clients.

Shelley has joined us on IFA Talk many times before, and we are delighted to welcome her back to share her extensive knowledge once again. She provides valuable takeaways for advisers looking to strengthen their income protection conversations and help clients understand the importance of securing their financial future.

This episode offers key insights into the changing landscape of income protection and the role it plays within financial advice. Tune in now to hear the full discussion.

Welcome to a special episode of IFA Talk in partnership with TEI Magazine. In this discussion, we take a deep dive into Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) as they mark their 30th anniversary.

How have they evolved since their inception? Why do they remain relevant in today’s investment landscape? And what does the future hold?

To answer these questions, IFA Magazine’s Senior Financial Journalist, Jenny Hunter, and TEI/IFA’s Content Editor, Matt Williams, are joined by Will Fraser-Allen, Managing Partner at Albion Capital Group.

Together, they explore how the VCT landscape has changed over the past three decades and what this means for investors today. They discuss the latest fundraising trends, investor sentiment and the outlook for Albion’s current raise. Will also shares insights into the types of investors looking at VCTs and why advisers should consider them for their clients.

This episode provides valuable insights into how these investment vehicles continue to adapt and thrive.

Listen now to hear the full discussion and gain expert perspectives on the past, present and future of VCTs.

Many financial advisers are turning to outsourced investment solutions—but for those who prefer to keep full control in-house, the challenges are different. Can technology help? If so, how? What are the key obstacles, and how can advisers overcome them?

In this episode, we dive into these pressing questions with Symon Stickney, Founder and CEO of Collidr, a true innovator in the investment space. 

We’re excited to bring you another insightful conversation from the world of financial services. Hosted by Sue Whitbread, editor of IFA Magazine, and senior financial journalist, Jenny Hunter, this week’s episode shines a spotlight on key topics from within the paraplanner profession. 

This week, Jenny and Brandon are diving into what lies ahead for investing in 2025. After the rollercoaster of 2024, the year ahead might look calmer, but it’s still packed with important questions and opportunities for advisers and their clients. 

We are joined this week by Dan Kemp, Chief Research and Investment Officer at Morningstar. Dan shares his invaluable insights into the key challenges and opportunities that 2025 is likely to bring. He explores whether US stocks will remain a stronghold after their stellar performance in 2024 or if better value can be found elsewhere. Is the US bubble about to burst? Dan gives us his opinions on that too! 

In our latest IFA Talk podcast, hosts Jenny and Brandon sit down with Stuart Breyer, CEO of Mallowstreet, to talk all things AI and its growing role in financial services. 

Stu shares how Mallowstreet is using AI, especially their SOFI tool, to make things run smoother and drive innovation. They chat about how AI can work alongside advisers to boost client service and streamline processes. If you've been wondering how to choose the right AI tools or what to consider when integrating them into your business, this episode has you covered.