The Trusted Adviser

Nick Downey, a technology and product executive focused on AI and data-driven personalisation. Sam Patterson, an operator who scales advice through workflow design and automation. They explore AI as an always-on assistant, contrast language and quant models, discuss regulatory and change barriers, and stress building strategy, processes and people before deploying tools.

In this insightful episode, Rob Pyne welcomes David Haintz, a seasoned wealth management expert and representative of Merchant Investment Management. With 35 years of experience in financial advice and business coaching, David shares his expertise on critical topics such as profitability and productivity ratios, client selection strategies, and Merchant's role in helping advisory firms grow through acquisitions. Discover actionable insights for building high-performing financial planning firms, leveraging AI, and navigating industry trends. David also delves into the unique approach Merchant takes as an equity partner, fostering long-term growth and alignment with their partner firms.

In this episode, we explore the intricacies of Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) with Chris West and Mike Parker from Context Capital. SMAs have rapidly emerged as a preferred investment solution, offering transparency, efficiency, and fairness for both advisers and investors. Taking advantage of Chris and Mike's expert knowledge in the world of SMAs, Rob dives into the operational, regulatory, and strategic benefits of SMAs, uncovering their growing impact on the financial planning industry.

  In this episode, Rob sits down with Phil Little from Slipstream Group for a masterclass on pricing strategies that drive business growth. Phil, a former financial planner and successful business owner turned coach, delves into the importance of regularly reviewing pricing methodologies, tackling outdated fee structures, and ensuring consistency across clients. Together, they explore practical steps to align pricing with business goals, handle client discount requests effectively, and empower teams with fee confidence. Whether you're aiming to enhance profitability, manage growth, or refine client engagement, this episode offers actionable insights to elevate your financial planning practice.

In this insightful episode of The Trusted Adviser, host Rob Pyne chats with Dan Brown, Principal of Coastal Advice Group, about his extraordinary journey in transforming a small financial planning team into a thriving enterprise. Dan shares the key lessons he’s learned from scaling his business, including how to identify opportunities in acquisitions, the importance of cultural alignment, and the practical differences between “plug-and-play” businesses and “renovator’s delights.” He also dives deep into his philosophy of leadership, emphasising the power of honesty, teamwork, and a growth-oriented mindset to achieve lasting success. Listeners will walk away with actionable advice on building momentum, developing future-focused organisational strategies, and staying competitive in an evolving financial planning landscape. Whether you’re exploring acquisitions or looking to refine your business strategy, this episode offers inspiration and practical insights for every financial planning professional. Tune in to hear how Dan’s focus on collaboration, clarity, and reinvestment has propelled Coastal Advice Group to the forefront of the financial planning profession.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne is joined by Jade Burford, partner at MBS Insurance, to explore the intricacies of personal insurance advice. They delve into the importance of specialisation in financial services, the benefits of joint venture models for wealth planning firms, and the evolving challenges of the insurance industry. 

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, host Rob Pyne speaks with Jerry Kalogeropoulos, the founder of Aptium Assist, a business specialising in outsourced back-office support for financial planners. Together, they explore the growing trend of outsourcing in professional services, specifically focusing on tasks such as paraplanning and client administration within financial planning. Jerry shares insights from his experience on the benefits, challenges, and operational nuances of outsourcing, offering financial planners a comprehensive look at what outsourcing might mean for their business.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, host Rob sits down with Pat Gardner, Technology Lead at Collins SBA and host of the AdviceTech podcast on the Ensombl platform. Pat shares his unique journey from financial planner to tech innovator, highlighting the ways technology is reshaping the financial planning and accounting landscape. Together, they explore the integration of Salesforce CRM at Collins SBA, key software tools that have enhanced their CRM's functionality, and how forward-thinking firms are using technology to elevate client experience and streamline operations.

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob sits down with Richard Hernan, co-founder of Broadleaf Financial Group, to explore the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the financial planning industry. With over seven years of experience and 18 successful M&A transactions, Richard shares the strategies and lessons he's learned from working with entrepreneurial financial planning firms across Australia. The discussion dives deep into Broadleaf’s unique business model, the growing trend of industry consolidation, and how to build businesses designed to last for generations.

In this episode, Rob sits down with Tim Lane, a seasoned chartered accountant and the founder of FinConnect Advisory Group.  Tim has been active in the financial planning industry for 25 years and in this episode, he shares his expertise on the intricacies of valuing financial planning businesses and offers practical advice on succession planning. He delves into the key factors that can drive or detract from a business's value, and how financial advisers can prepare their firms for a profitable sale or transition. Whether you're looking to sell you're business soon or increase its value for long-term growth, this conversation is packed with actionable advice.