The New Leaf Podcast

Discover how David Reed built an illustrious career managing nearly £75m AUM, starting from the "Wild West" of 1980s financial services. Join the New Leaf Distribution network to access the same growth support and compliance framework that empowers top-tier advisors: https://newleafdistribution.co.uk/

In this episode of The New Leaf Podcast, Sam Wallis (MD of New Leaf Distribution) sits down with David Reed to trace his journey through the evolution of the financial industry. David reflects on his early days at Guardian Royal Exchange, offering a rare look at how the industry operated before modern regulations and how he successfully navigated those shifts to build a massive client bank.

A key focus of this conversation is business diversification. David discusses his recent experience with the New Leaf Will Writers course and explains why adding will writing to your portfolio is more than just an extra service—it’s a powerful engine for referrals and long-term client retention.

Finally, David shares his "golden rule" for new joiners in the industry. By prioritizing empathy and viewing the financial landscape through the client's eyes, advisors can move beyond transactional sales to create the enduring relationships necessary for a £75m+ AUM.

About New Leaf Distribution New Leaf Distribution is a leading financial services network providing advisors with compliance, technology, and growth support. We empower IFAs to scale their businesses with confidence, offering specialised training in mortgage advice, wealth management, and estate planning.

The New Leaf podcast is for people turning over a new leaf in financial advice. Learn more about how New Leaf Distribution supports advisers at www.newleafdistribution.co.uk

High-Value Financial Advice: Master Business Protection with Martin Byrne Unlock the potential of business protection. Visit New Leaf Distribution to start your journey: [https://newleafdistribution.co.uk]

Many financial advisers avoid business protection because they fear it’s too complex. In this interview, Martin Byrne shows you how to simplify the process and tap into a market where the average commission is £5,000—over six times the average retail policy.

Daniel Hobbs and Martin discuss the grit required to build a niche, the importance of "social proof" via LinkedIn, and how to use group schemes to provide cover for "uninsurable" clients. Martin also shares why he returned to New Leaf Distribution, citing the network's unique support desk and ethical alignment.

Topics Covered:

Transitioning from Mortgages to Protection: Finding your "catalyst" for change.

Networking Mastery: How running 26 groups built a foundation of trust.

The 3 Types of Risk: Fatal, Critical, and Innocuous.

Diversifying Income: Moving from indemnity to "on the drip" payments for predictable revenue.

AI in Finance: Using technology to handle complex commission splits and marketing.

About New Leaf Distribution

New Leaf Distribution is a premier network designed for professionals looking to "turn over a new leaf" in the financial advice industry. Led by CEO Daniel Hobbs, the organization provides a supportive environment for both new and experienced advisors to grow their practices through expert training and dedicated consultancy.

What sets New Leaf apart is its commitment to specialist markets. We host a dedicated Business Protection Help Desk, offering a level of support and training that is unique among UK networks. This allows our advisors to confidently move into high-value niches like share protection and group schemes, effectively diversifying their income.

At its core, New Leaf Distribution is built on a foundation of positivity and ethics. We operate in the "sweet spot"—large enough to provide robust resources but small enough to maintain personal, ethical alignment with our advisors. Our mission is to ensure that our members are not just relevant today, but are fully equipped for the future of financial advice.

Ready to grow your practice? Visit us at newleafdistribution.co.uk to learn how we can help you master complex markets and achieve your business goals.

The New Leaf podcast is for people turning over a new leaf in financial advice. Learn more about how New Leaf Distribution supports advisers at www.newleafdistribution.co.uk

In this episode of The New Leaf Podcast, Matt and Rebecca talk about why they chose to leave their previous network after permissions were repeatedly reduced and how that began to push their business away from the holistic service they wanted to offer clients.

They explain why finding the right home became so important, what stood out when they spoke to New Leaf, and how having access to a broader, more supportive structure allows them to help clients properly.

The conversation also explores how a holistic approach can make all the difference when clients have already spoken to other brokers and still have not found the right solution.

This episode will resonate with advisers who want to protect the integrity of their proposition, work more holistically, and avoid being boxed into a narrower business than the one they set out to build.

The New Leaf podcast is for people turning over a new leaf in financial advice. Learn more about how New Leaf Distribution supports advisers at www.newleafdistribution.co.uk

Chris Sykes of MSP Financial Solutions joins The New Leaf Podcast to discuss how genuinely complex mortgage cases are structured in practice, why lender judgement matters more than automation, and how specialist building societies can unlock solutions others miss. Chris walks through a real case involving a portfolio landlord with multiple properties and projects, explaining how a pre‑fund facility was used to place the deal outside standard affordability models. The conversation also explores Chris’s role in the financial press as a calm, credible voice for borrowers, and how that visibility builds trust over time. This episode will resonate with advisers working with complex or high‑net‑worth clients, and anyone focused on clarity, experience, and long‑term credibility. 

The New Leaf podcast is for people turning over a new leaf in financial advice. Learn more about how New Leaf Distribution supports advisers at www.newleafdistribution.co.uk

In this episode of The New Leaf Podcast, Mark Hobbs, Chairman of New Leaf Distribution, is joined by John Castle, who shares his honest journey of stepping away from financial advice, rebuilding confidence, and returning stronger than ever. 

John talks openly about why his first attempt at self‑employment didn’t work, how mindset played a bigger role than he realised at the time, and what changed when he returned with a clearer proposition and renewed focus on tax and financial planning. 

The conversation explores resilience, confidence, lead generation, and what it really takes to rebuild a sustainable advisory business after a setback. It also highlights the importance of having the right support structure around you when starting again. 

This episode will resonate with advisers who have faced challenges, questioned their direction, or are looking for reassurance that it’s possible to reset, rebuild, and succeed. 

The New Leaf podcast is for people turning over a new leaf in financial advice. Learn more about how New Leaf Distribution supports advisers at www.newleafdistribution.co.uk

In this episode, Rita & Rohit Kohli from The Mortgage Shop share their experience building a successful advice business, offering practical insights for financial advisers and mortgage brokers. From compliance and culture to growth strategies and network decisions, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons.

You’ll discover:

• How to structure your firm for sustainable growth
• The importance of mindset and systems in adviser success
• What to consider when choosing a network

New Leaf Distribution supports financial advisers and mortgage brokers who want to build strong, sustainable businesses while retaining independence and control.

The New Leaf podcast is for people turning over a new leaf in financial advice. Learn more about how New Leaf Distribution supports advisers at www.newleafdistribution.co.uk

Sarah Drakard joins Daniel Hobbs to discuss her 13-year journey in the financial services industry, exploring the unique challenges and rewards of balancing a solo business with motherhood. This episode is a masterclass in lead generation through authenticity and the clinical importance of holistic financial planning.

Key Takeaways:

• The Motherhood Balance: How to navigate the "curse" of CPD and compliance shifts while enjoying the flexibility of self-employment.
• Will Writing as Lead Gen: Why wills are the "cornerstone" of Sarah’s business and a powerful way to build immediate trust.
• Marketing via Vulnerability: The story of the viral "Mum’s group" post that led to 300 enquiries without a single sales pitch.
• The Power of Protection: A heart-wrenching case study on why advisors must push for cover, even when clients believe they are uninsurable.
• Tech-Driven Growth: How the "Underwrite Me" tool transformed protection from a secondary thought into a core business pillar.

Resources:

• Visit the New Leaf Distribution Website.
• Learn more about Cruz Financial Services.
• Explore the New Leaf Will Writing Federation.
• Technology Mentioned: Underwrite Me.

About New Leaf Distribution:

New Leaf Distribution is a premier UK network dedicated to supporting financial advisors with robust compliance, cutting-edge technology, and a community-driven approach to business growth.

The New Leaf podcast is for people turning over a new leaf in financial advice. Learn more about how New Leaf Distribution supports advisers at www.newleafdistribution.co.uk

Episode Summary: What makes a senior professional leave a 15-year career at a global powerhouse like Vanguard to start their own practice? In this episode, Matthew Abouzeid, Director of &Together, joins guest host Sam Oakes to discuss his journey from corporate "manufacturing" to independent financial planning.

Matthew reveals the rigorous process he went through to launch his firm, including his experience vetting 10 different financial networks. He shares why he chose New Leaf Distribution over private-equity-backed competitors, citing the importance of mentorship, culture, and immediate access to specialist support.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Transition: Moving from a corporate giant to the "don’t look down" reality of self-employment.
• The Entrepreneur’s Trap: Why business owners often fail to diversify and how to move from a "one-stock portfolio" to a "10,000-stock portfolio."
• Vetting the Networks: Why New Leaf’s "heart-led" approach and focus on "helping you be brilliant" won out over turnover-driven firms.
• Independence as a Mindset: Why &Together works for the client, not the manufacturer.

Why New Leaf Distribution? For advisors like Matthew, New Leaf provides more than just a license to trade. We offer the "Expert Legs" your business needs to scale, including:

• Direct access to Tax and Trusts specialists.
• In-house Paraplanning support to free up your time.
• Strategic mentorship from industry leaders like Mark Hobbs and Daniel Hobbs.
• A community that supports the transition from corporate employee to independent business owner.

Connect with our Guest:

• Matthew Abouzeid: Matthew Abouzeid | LinkedIn

Turn Over a New Leaf: Are you a corporate professional or breakaway broker looking for a network that values your vision? Visit www.newleafdistribution.co.uk to learn how we help advisors build legacies.

The New Leaf podcast is for people turning over a new leaf in financial advice. Learn more about how New Leaf Distribution supports advisers at www.newleafdistribution.co.uk

What happens when you trade years of corporate stability for the autonomy of business ownership? In this episode of the New Leaf Podcast, Daniel Hobbs, CEO of New Leaf Distribution sits down with James McCudden-Hughes, Director of Hirschle Hughes, to deconstruct one of the most successful "corporate escapes" in recent years.

Since launching in March 2023, James and his partner Sean have taken Hirschle Hughes from a two-person startup to a "Top 5" firm within the New Leaf network, employing a team of 12 in the heart of Fitzrovia. James shares the raw reality of rapid growth - from managing five office moves to the strategic decision to pivot into Wealth and IFA services.

Key Takeaways:

• Breaking the Ceiling: Why James left a senior mortgage broker career to find a "home" where he could build a legacy.
• Speed to Market: How Hirschle Hughes went from an idea to a trading entity in just four weeks with New Leaf.
• The Scaling Blueprint: Managing the "bravery" required to hire 12 staff and move offices five times in two years.
• Diversification as Defence: Why moving beyond "vanilla" mortgages into Wealth and Protection creates a resilient, high-value business.
• The Human Edge: Why complex finance and high-net-worth clients will always value human relationships over AI and chatbots.

Connect with Hirschle Hughes:

• Website: www.hirschlehughes.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/james-mccudden-hughes-5a5a1510a

Are you ready to turn a new leaf? Visit www.newleafdistribution.co.uk to learn how we help advisers escape the corporate box and build sustainable, independent practices.

The New Leaf podcast is for people turning over a new leaf in financial advice. Learn more about how New Leaf Distribution supports advisers at www.newleafdistribution.co.uk

How do you go from being a self-employed "young mum" to leading a thriving 9-person financial services firm in just five years? Petra of Hitel Financial joins the New Leaf Podcast to reveal her roadmap for scaling a niche-focused brokerage.

Key Takeaways:

• The Identity Crisis: Why the hardest part of growth is transitioning from a "devoted advisor" to a "business owner" and director.
• The Riches are in the Niches: How Petra dominated the UK’s Hungarian-speaking market by solving cultural challenges, not just language barriers.
• The "50% Hit Rate" Rule: A brutal reality check on recruitment—why not everyone will share your values and how to handle it.
• Splitting for Success: Why separating mortgage and protection roles leads to higher turnover and better client outcomes.
• Diversifying to Defend: How moving into bridging and commercial finance with New Leaf protects your business against the threats of AI and direct lenders.

Resources:

• New Leaf Distribution: www.newleafdistribution.co.uk
• Hitel Financial: www.hitelfinancial.co.uk

About New Leaf Distribution: New Leaf Distribution is a leading financial services network providing advisors with compliance, technology, and growth support. We empower advisors to build independent, scalable businesses within a supportive community.

The New Leaf podcast is for people turning over a new leaf in financial advice. Learn more about how New Leaf Distribution supports advisers at www.newleafdistribution.co.uk