The Growth Workshop Podcast

Industry leaders from Solve Partners: Dave Mason, Gilly Green and Donald Reid reveal why mergers and acquisitions often suppress organic growth in wealth management. They share practical insights on advisor engagement, cultural integration, and the hidden pitfalls that derail growth post-deal. If you’re considering consolidation or navigating integration, this conversation offers actionable strategies to protect client relationships and accelerate success.

Download their white paper here: https://solvetogether.co.uk/insights/consolidation-whitepaper/

Jonathan Tweedie explores the future of financial advice, tackling industry challenges, the impact of technology, and the need for broader access. He examines how AI and digital platforms can personalize advice, the shifting responsibilities of employers and government, and the critical role of trust. This episode offers a candid look at how collaboration and innovation can reshape financial well-being for all generations.

Jonathan Tweedie, Managing Director at RBC Brewin Dolphin, shares his journey from army officer to financial sector leader, reflecting on decision-making, trust, and adapting leadership frameworks to better serve clients. Listeners gain insight into how authentic leadership and client-centric thinking are reshaping the industry for the next generation.

Rebecca Williams, divisional lead for financial planning at Rathbones, explores how financial advice is evolving for younger generations. She shares candid insights on industry challenges, the importance of authentic client relationships, and the role of technology in retention. Listeners gain a fresh perspective on bridging generational gaps, fostering diversity, and building trust in a rapidly changing financial landscape.

Rebecca Williams, divisional lead for an FTSE 250-listed company, shares her journey from an accidental entry into financial services to becoming a champion for women in wealth management.  She explores the urgent need for diversity in leadership, the evolving role of female clients, and how technology can support, but not replace, human connection in financial planning.  A compelling conversation on influence, inclusion, and the future of the industry.

Looking at the future of business, Stepan explores how AI is transforming from conversational agents and back-office automation to hyper-personalised customer targeting. He unpacks the moral and strategic implications of AI, the skills needed for future workforces, and why leaders must act now to stay competitive.

For leaders navigating growth in tech-driven environments, Stepan reveals how early AI research, entrepreneurial grit, and a client-first mindset have shaped his leadership style. He discusses building high-performing teams, balancing technology and human creativity, and scaling sales in a consultancy.

In this episode, Rachael Smith reflects on purpose-driven leadership and her vision for a more inclusive wealth management industry. She unpacks the inequalities women face in building and managing wealth, the frameworks that guide her personal and professional purpose, and the leadership playbook needed to navigate crises and change. With energy and clarity, Rachael shows how aligning purpose with growth creates lasting impact for both organisations and society.

Rachael Smith, Head of Growth at Evelyn Partners and former EasyJet leader, shares how behavioural science, branding, and sales–marketing alignment can drive transformation in both aviation and wealth management. She explores lessons learned from nudge theory on flights, the power of client insight, and why a vertical approach is reshaping the industry. Rachael also discusses the urgent need to build a wealth management model that truly serves women as they become the fastest-growing segment of wealth holders.

Discover how to create growth frameworks that drive both immediate impact and long-term success, from commercial and marketing executive leader Rachael Smith. Leaders will find practical guidance on stakeholder mapping, onboarding, and navigating change with agility. For organizations, it explores how to align teams around client-focused strategies, establish growth enablers, and scale sustainably. Rachael shares innovative blueprints for change.