In this episode of Just Covered, we meet Andrew Jenkins – an inspirational individual with a background in sales and business leadership. He’s also well known as a contestant from BBC One’s popular series, The Traitors. In 1999, Andrew’s life was turned completely upside down by a horrific road accident. The experience and subsequent recovery led him to become a dedicated advocate for wellbeing and personal growth. Today, he works as a mental health coach and motivational speaker, while supporting numerous charities. Remarkably honest and open about his struggles – his story is powerful, thought-provoking and universally relevant. Don’t miss this one.

This episode also covers:

· Steps and considerations for properly supporting the other people in your life, whether that’s relatives, colleagues or friends and having honest and meaningful conversations. 

· Building a growth mindset, overcoming fear of failure and being your most-authentic self, both personally and professional.

 · Breaking down traditional stigmas around counselling and mental health support, especially for men.  

 Matt Brown | Recognising opportunity: Supporting the next generation of intermediaries

In this episode of Just Covered, we meet Matt Brown – HL Partnership’s new Propositions Director. Already a respected figure in the mortgage sector, Matt has 20 years’ experience working at firms like PRIMIS Mortgage Network, eConveyancer and NatWest. We were delighted to discuss his career so far, as well as the challenges and opportunities he currently sees in the intermediary space. We also heard about HLP’s success at our BQA awards. And, we got to uncover some of his key tips for new advisers and intermediaries, especially around training and embracing emerging technologies. 

This episode also covers:

· Balancing risk and customer needs when developing propositions.

· The importance maintaining a balance between work and personal life and the role of discipline in achieving this.

 · The role of new technology, including AI, in enhancing adviser efficiency and customer interaction, as well as supporting personalised advice.

Sidney Wager | Guiding professional growth: Being comfortable with the uncomfortable 

In this episode of Just Covered, we meet Sidney Wager, newly appointed Managing Director at L&C. Well known across the Mortgage industry, Sidney stands out for his diverse, sector-spanning career. Something that not only gives him an original industry perspective but has, no doubt, informed his success over multiple decades and roles. During our chat, he’s able to share some real gems about career longevity, professional agility, adapting to change, and confronting new challenges.

This episode also covers:

· The role of mentoring and support in delivering the next generation of financial talent.

· Embracing professional growth and navigating new roles and confronting other key challenges with confidence.

 · The importance of understanding the customer's voice and having a broad skill set to be a strong leader.

Stuart Borthwick | Doing the right thing: Customer care, community and forging real client relationships

In this episode of Just Covered, we meet Stuart Borthwick from Dartmoor Financial LLP – an adviser working in mortgage, equity release and estate planning for over 20 years, and specialist in later life lending. Working for a family-run, independent firm operating on the edge of Dartmoor, Stuart has a unique story. But what comes across most during our 45-minute chat is his genuine passion and enjoyment for his work. He puts proud emphasis on integrity, people-first advice, community and building real long-term connections with clients. It’s a heart-warming, yet insightful discussion.

This episode also covers:

· Rethinking client vulnerability, Consumer Duty and avoiding longstanding assumptions about what makes clients vulnerable.

· Community networking and the importance of building a community of financial support that can enhance your offering to clients.

 · Knowledge sharing and moving beyond the traditional client-adviser relationship to build meaningful and lasting connections with customers. 

Rhian Mannings | Turning trauma into triumph: Filling the vacuum in bereavement support

This episode contains reference to suicide and infant death that listeners may find upsetting.

In this episode of Just Covered, we speak with Rhian Mannings, founder of the 2Wish Charity about her emotional and thought-provoking story. In 2012, Rhian suffered a deeply profound and challenging experience, losing both her infant son and husband in just a matter of days. It changed her life forever. And, the clear absence of bereavement support in her Welsh community caused her to set up her own charity service. Today, it operates in England too and her incredible work has been recognised with an MBE, the New Year Honours list, and more. It’s a powerful story that some listeners may find upsetting.

This episode also covers:

· The best ways to approach grieving and traumatised clients, as well as dealing with children in traumatic circumstances. 

· Key challenges for bereavement services in the UK.

 · Understanding some of the financial implications of loss and the role of advisers in empathetically addressing these issues.

For more information on the 2wish Charity visit - Home - 2 Wish

Bob White | Bridging the gap: Collaboration, learning and later life lending

In this episode of Just Covered, we sit down with Bob White, an adviser at Mortgage & Lifetime Solutions with over 30 years' experience. Having started his career in Mortgages and Protection, Bob qualified as a lifetime mortgages adviser 15 years ago and is passionate about the need for advisers to continually learn and improve their knowledge. Bob also discusses how advisers can collaborate and refer clients, to help prioritise their interests and achieve the best possible outcomes.

This episode also covers:

•  How equity release can be a game-changer for clients who prefer to stay in their homes rather than downsizing, despite the challenges and costs associated with moving.

•  The ever-evolving nature of financial products, and the necessity of staying updated through training meetings, seminars, and conferences to provide the best advice to clients.

•  The importance of collaboration amongst advisers to ensure clients' future needs are met, advocating for a duty of care that prioritises the best interests of clients.

Charley O’Neill | Mortgage Mum: Finding work-life balance and flexibility in financial services

In this episode of Just Covered, we meet Charley O’Neill, Senior Mortgage and Protection Adviser and Head of New Build at Mortgage Mum. A mother of two, Charley’s journey in financial services began after leaving school. She earned her stripes in customer service at HSBC, before eventually becoming a qualified Mortgage Adviser in 2015. But after returning from maternity leave, she found traditional industry working patterns strained her personal life. Determined, she sought to find an organisation that would recognise and value her needs as a working parent. Her success is an inspiration for any adviser, but especially those with families.

This episode also covers:

· The ethos and community behind Mortgage Mum and the benefits of forward-thinking and flexible ways of working, compared to traditional working practices.

· The importance of personable communications with clients and how different approaches can support this. 

 · An insight into New Build schemes, buyer incentives and valuable tools, like Own New’s Rate Reducer.

In this episode of Just Covered, we're excited to host Stephanie Charman, the new CEO of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI), and our very own Vikki Jefferies, who has recently assumed her new role as Market Development Director. In this friendly and lively chat, they discuss their diverse backgrounds in the industry and the transitions that led them to their current positions. Gladly, they also share personal insights on current mortgage market conditions, changing regulations, and, perhaps refreshingly, their positive outlook on the future. They also discuss some of the game-changing initiatives they’ve recently been involved in. It’s an entertaining and informative hour-long chat…

This episode also covers:

• Some of the ongoing work and research of the AMI, including their collaboration with Legal & General. 
• Key drivers of industry change like the rise of Green Mortgage Advice initiatives, AMI’s Protection Viewpoint, the Working Mortgage Scheme, and other leading schemes and innovations.
• The variety of roles available in the financial services sector and the importance of mentorship in supporting advisers to realise their career goals.

In this episode of Just Covered, we meet Robin Melley, a founder and director of the Consumer Duty Alliance and co-founder of the Financial Vulnerability Taskforce. As the only person to win UK Chartered Financial Planner of the Year twice, Robin is a force to be reckoned with. We were lucky enough to get his insight into the evolution of the Financial Vulnerability Taskforce. And hear about his more recent work with us on the Thematic Review checklist, which has already proven a transformative tool for helping advisers with Consumer Duty. Don’t miss this one…

 This episode also covers:

· Common misconceptions around vulnerability, and the importance of building awareness of it into every financial plan.

· The five key questions Robin recommends you ask every client seeking financial advice.

 · The need to build trust and engagement as an industry to bridge the advice gap and further enhance client outcomes.

Ollie Popham| Evolving financial advice in pursuit of customers’ best interests

In this episode of Just Covered, we meet Ollie Popham, Senior Sales Manager at Cavendish Online. Since the turn of the millennium, Cavendish has been of one the industry’s most exciting success stories. The company has grown from a small internet startup into a UK-wide organisation, with hundreds of staff. And it’s been repeatedly celebrated as a market leader through continuous nominations and, often success, in well-established industry awards. Ollie sheds some light on the company’s origin story, innovative strategies and pioneering use of technology in customer engagement and the importance of its culture in driving success. 

This episode also covers:

· How AI is transforming financial advice and protection sales, improving training, creating efficiencies and augmenting how advisers work and support their customers

· The importance of putting value before price during customer conversations and always enforcing a customer-centric approach

· How to educate customers, and present options during client conversations, so that they can make informed decisions that put their interests first.