Kimberley Dondo, Tom Browne and Dan Cooper discuss a busy start to 2026, focusing on the shortage of women in financial advice, where fewer than one in five advisers are female, the perception problem that deters candidates, and the need for better visibility, mentoring and events like the Women’s Symposium.

They cover recent major deals — NatWest’s purchase of Evelyn Partners and Schroders’ takeover — and explore what consolidation means for banks, advisers and targeted support as the wealth-management landscape shifts.

They also air frustrations with archaic practices like wet signatures, the disconnect between systems, and debate AI hype, ethics and regulation, while previewing upcoming coverage around International Women’s Day and sector events.

In this episode, Kimberley Dondo sits down with Fiona Hanrahan and Justin Corliss from Royal London to tackle one of the most frequent technical queries as the tax year-end approaches: carry forward.

With the annual allowance now at £60,000, Justin and Fiona explain why carry forward remains a vital tool for clients, despite the recent increase. They dive into the complexities of calculating unused allowances from the previous three tax years, the crucial differences between individual and employer contributions, and the "gotchas" involving the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) and the tapered annual allowance.

Listen to the full series here.

Whether you are looking to maximise contributions for company directors or ensuring a client doesn't inadvertently trigger a tax charge, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for getting the calculations right.

Adviser Resources

To help with your year-end cases, visit Royal London for a range of technical support tools.

MMTalks launches 2026 with the Money Marketing team discussing the risks of advisors building in-house platforms, geopolitical shocks from Trump and their muted market impact, the rise (and possible burst) of the AI bubble, and whether virtual work experience helps or hinders new talent entering financial services.

They also cover sector trends to watch this year — pensions, regulation, tokenisation and semiconductors — and share personal resolutions and predictions for the year ahead.

Kimberley Dondo and Dan Cooper wrap up 2025 with a deep dive into the year’s knottiest topics. From the "fatigue" surrounding the advice/guidance boundary to the confusing world of crypto regulation, the team asks: is the industry ready for what comes next?

They also tackle the big macro questions: Is the Triple Lock unsustainable? Is Trump worse for markets than Truss? And will we really see a "crypto adviser" in 2026? Tune in for the analysis, the debates, and the predictions.

How do you convince a client to consolidate their "shoebox" of old pensions when 59% are happy to just "leave it"? In this episode of The Money Marketing Podcast, in association with Royal London, we look at the actionable takeaways for advisers from the Workplace Pensions Report 2025.

Clare Moffat (Royal London) breaks down the barriers stopping clients from picking up the phone. We discuss the upcoming changes to salary sacrifice (and the new £2,000 NI cap), the confusion surrounding the "megafunds" proposals, and how to use the Retirement Living Standards to reset unrealistic income targets.

We discuss:

Read the full report: To see the full breakdown of consumer trends and stats, download the Royal London Workplace Pensions Report 2025 here.

In this special reaction episode of MM Talks, we tear up the script following the unprecedented early leak of the OBR report and the Chancellor's subsequent speech.

Join Kimberley Dondo as she sits down with the Money Marketing editorial team, Tom Browne and Dan Cooper, alongside special guest Chris Jones, Financial Services Director at Dynamic Planner, to dissect a day of high drama and hard numbers.

The team discusses how the "accidental" leak set the stage for a gloomier economic reality and debates whether the Chancellor's "growth" narrative survived the downgrade to 1.5%. Most importantly, we dig into the technical details that will hit your clients' plans tomorrow morning.

Listen now:

What's the real mood of UK advisers? The Money Marketing team reports back from MMI London.

Join Tom Browne, Dan Cooper, and Kimberley Dondo as they also tackle the AI 'minefield', discussing how to innovate without alarming clients. Finally, they run through the biggest fears and speculation surrounding the upcoming Budget.

Is AI just a buzzword, or can it truly deliver tangible value for financial advice firms?

Recorded live from our Money Marketing Interactive London 2025 conference, this expert panel moves beyond the hype to discuss the real-world impact of artificial intelligence. Listen as industry leaders explore the practical opportunities and challenges of integrating AI, from boosting efficiency with automation to enhancing the client experience.

Our panel, moderated by Richard Bradley of Platforum, features Helen Lovett (Foster Denovo), Madeleine Debney (Otto), Peter Ferguson (St. James's Place), and Rowan Whittington (Dynamic Planner). They offer practical advice on navigating the ethical and regulatory hurdles to stay competitive and help close the advice gap.

To explore this topic further, read our related Big Picture feature on AI here:

The Big Picture: When AI meets advice – innovation or compliance minefield?

In this episode, we tackle the monumental shifts in UK inheritance tax (IHT) rules. Joining us from Royal London's Technical Marketing Team is Justin Corliss, who breaks down the impact of the October 2024 budget announcement on pensions.

We'll discuss how unused pension pots and death benefits are set to be included in IHT calculations from April 2027, and what this means for your clients' financial plans. Justin clarifies the new payment process, the surprising exemption for death-in-service benefits, and provides a crucial checklist for financial advisers. Whether you're an expert or a newcomer to this topic, you'll gain valuable insights to navigate these changes and help your clients plan for their legacy.

This episode is brought to you in association with Royal London.

Pensions & Protection Podcast

In this month’s episode of MM Unpacked, we dive into the big topics of adviser life, generational wealth, and the changing face of the industry. Host Kimberley Dondo is joined by Editor Tom Browne and News Editor Dan Cooper to discuss what's on everyone's mind.

Tom shares his unique insights from interviewing advisers for his 'Big Picture' feature on the human side of the job, while Dan unpacks his provocative leader 'Will the last of the wealthy please turn off the lights?' and what it means for the profession. The team also discusses what Laura Purkess's feature on the great wealth transfer means for advisers and their clients. Plus, they look ahead to MMI London and what to expect from the podcast as Kimberley prepares for his paternal leave.