The Trusted Adviser

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne sits down with Nick Perrett, CEO at Yarra Lane Group, to explore how his firm is leveraging AI agents and robotic process automation (RPA) to transform operations across financial planning, tax, and professional services. Nick shares how bots like “Henry” and “Grace” are automating everything from review prep to data entry, running 24/7 inside their Microsoft environment and freeing up valuable human time.

They dig into the real numbers, implementation process, cultural impacts, and what this all means for the future of advice delivery. Whether you’re curious about getting started or wondering how far automation can go in a professional advice firm, this is a must-listen episode.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Andrew Dunbar and Abbie Gellatly from Apt Wealth Partners—an award-winning advice firm known for its strong culture and focus on talent development. They unpack how Apt is preparing for the future of financial advice through structured graduate pathways, transparent career progression, leadership development, employee ownership, and a flexible benefits program that drives engagement and retention. If you’re looking to build a future-ready advice business, this conversation is full of practical takeaways.

What does it take to grow a financial planning firm beyond the founder? In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Philip Palaveev, CEO of The Ensemble Practice, about what it really means to lead a team-based advice business.

Philip unpacks why leadership is more burden than privilege, how to shift from founder-led to team-driven models, and what it takes to embed vision and trust into culture.

👉 Listen as Philip shares:

Why the best leaders stop seeking personal validation and start coaching others

How to make the leap from individual to team performance

The difference between ownership, leadership and management — and why titles don’t define influence

This conversation is a masterclass in next-generation leadership, succession planning, and building a firm that outlasts any one person.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Terri Reid—business coach, consultant, and former financial planner—about the human side of leadership in advice firms. They explore the tensions advice principals face as they grow their businesses, from stepping back as the chief problem solver to building strong team cultures. Terri shares practical tools for empowering staff, improving communication, and reframing leadership at all levels. A valuable conversation for any advice leader wanting to build a business that performs well and feels good to be part of.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Stephen Bell — former adviser, Enzumo founder, and now the driving force behind Captegra and Hivrs. They explore how financial advice firms can shift from clunky tech stacks to streamlined process-driven systems, the power of Salesforce as a source of truth, and the realistic role of AI in advice delivery. Stephen shares his vision for real-time, electronic SOA generation and how automation can free up advisers to do more of what matters — all while staying compliant. A must-listen for any firm ready to modernise their workflows.

In this episode, Rob Pyne is joined by David Sharpe, Chair of the Financial Advice Association of Australia and Principal of Globe Financial Planning.

David shares his personal journey into financial advice and offers a front-row view of the critical reform efforts shaping the profession today.

From CSLR and DBFO to education pathways and red tape reduction, this is a candid and insightful conversation about professional leadership, policy advocacy, and the future of accessible, high-quality financial advice in Australia.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne sits down with Neil Kendall, Managing Director of Tupicoffs and former Chair of the FAAA, to explore how forward-thinking advice firms can leverage technology to lift compliance, protect client data, and deliver a better client experience. Neil shares how his firm uses AI-powered tools like Theta Lake for full-spectrum compliance monitoring, MyProsperity for secure data aggregation, and Salesforce FSC to maintain live, daily balance sheets for every client. From reducing PI premiums to automating training insights and boosting cyber resilience, Neil’s approach is a blueprint for modernising financial advice.

In this episode, Rob Pyne sits down with Keith Barrett, Managing Director of Reverb Media, to explore the power of public relations in financial services. With a background in journalism and two decades in the media industry, Keith shares how strategic storytelling and well-executed PR can help financial planning firms stand out, build trust, and engage meaningfully with both clients and industry. From thought leadership to crisis management, Keith explains how long-term brand building can drive real business outcomes.

New to The Trusted Adviser Podcast? This short trailer gives you a quick feel for the show — what it’s about, who it’s for, and why it’s worth following. Hosted by Rob Pyne, each episode features honest conversations with industry leaders in financial advice.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne is joined by Anthony Warr and Bianca Musico from Warr Hunt — a firm renowned for its leadership in mentoring, team development and succession planning. Bianca reflects on her journey to becoming the FAAA Certified Financial Planner of the Year in 2024, while Anthony shares the foundational principles that have positioned Warr Hunt as a multiple finalist for Professional Practice of the Year.

Together, they unpack the firm’s unique "diamond team" structure, their use of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and how they’ve embraced technology to enhance client experience. Bianca also opens up about her podcast Cracking Mum Maths and her mission to empower more women in finance.

Whether you’re mentoring the next generation, building your team, or rethinking your firm's direction, this is an episode filled with practical insights and inspiration.