Adviser 3.0: The Podcast

SoapBox Ep.3 - Passive Investing Didn’t Break Markets, It Exposed Active ManagementHosts Abraham and Matt are joined by Carla Brown, President of the Personal Finance Society, for an unfiltered discussion on markets, behaviour and the realities of modern financial advice.The episode explores why UK investors continue to exit equity markets at the worst possible moments, even during periods of strong performance, and what this reveals about confidence, communication and access to advice.The conversation also covers active versus passive investing, loyalty to underperforming managers, and the growing tension between evidence and narrative. Alongside this, the panel addresses the advice profession’s succession problem, the ageing adviser population, and why attracting new talent has become a defining issue for the future of advice.

In the episode of Adviser 3.0: The Podcast, we speak with Alasdair Walker, Managing Director and owner of Optimum Financial Planning, about the conversation most firm owners delay for too long: ownership and control.Alasdair shares his full journey from trainee adviser to completing a management buyout, offering rare insight into how internal succession actually works in financial planning firms. He explains why early equity alignment matters, how unclear ownership expectations create long-term risk, and why many firms default to selling when succession planning is avoided.The discussion also explores founder transitions, trust between generations, and what firm owners need to understand about incentives, transparency and long-term value. Later in the episode, Alasdair shares his perspective on AI adoption in financial planning, including where technology adds value and why it cannot fix poor structure or unresolved ownership issues.This episode is essential listening for financial advisers, firm owners, principals and next-generation leaders thinking seriously about succession, equity and the future of their business.Topics covered:Financial planning succession and ownershipManagement buyouts and internal successionFounder transitions and controlSelling versus long-term independenceAI adoption in advice firms

In this episode of Adviser 3.0 The Podcast, we sit down with psychologist and human optimisation specialist Ross Anderson to explore how high performers approach growth.Ross unpacks the relationship between mind, performance and behaviour, challenging the idea that growth is driven by motivation alone. Drawing on psychology, behavioural science and lived experience, he explains why sustainable performance starts with awareness, strong foundations and better decision making.The conversation explores how high performers think differently about growth, why behaviour matters more than intention, and how clarity and structure support long-term performance.Ross will also be joining us on the road in 2026 as part of the Timeline Growth Series, where he will be sharing these ideas live with advisers across the UK.This episode is a grounded discussion for professionals who want to grow with intent, consistency and resilience.

A clear and practical conversation with Will Webber on resilience, networks and the habits that support sustainable growth across fintech.Will shares lessons from the military, BlackRock and professional services, covering mindset, commercial development, community building and the future of the sector.

In the episode of Adviser 3.0 The Podcast, the familiar SoapBox duo return with a new guest who has deep experience across advice, technology and consumer behaviour. The conversation opens with the FCA’s attempt at gamified education, the reaction to recent budget speculation and the impact of changes to VCT incentives and salary sacrifice rules. From there the trio take apart the realities of AI inside large organisations and why so much investment fails to reach production.They explore how the advice gap may evolve, how future clients will expect to interact with advice and what the profession needs to consider as digital journeys scale. The session ends with a clear eyed assessment of pension transfer delays and the providers still operating with outdated processes.A lively, insightful and highly relevant discussion for advisers, planners, firm owners and anyone keeping an eye on the future of the profession.

David Jones, outgoing Vice President and head of the UK and Ireland advisor group at Dimensional, joins Abraham to reflect on over two decades of change within the financial planning profession. He discusses the shift from product-focused advice to a holistic planning model that centres on clients’ goals, values and long-term wellbeing.David shares his views on the apparent plateau in the number of practising planners, why younger professionals are bringing new energy into the field, and how technology and AI may reshape both the work and expectations of planners. He also offers practical insights on what sets successful firms apart, from simplification to consistent implementation and clear communication.As he looks ahead to his own next chapter, David speaks openly about legacy, leadership, purpose and the value of good planning in helping clients live fulfilled lives. This is a reflective and encouraging conversation for anyone interested in the future of the profession.

In this first SoapBox session, Abraham sits down with two industry voices to explore the figures behind adviser decline, the realities of client disengagement, the influence of consumer duty, and what the latest FCA data reveals about firms, revenue and capacity. From service models and profitability to the future of talent and technology, this episode explores the questions the profession cannot ignore. If you work in planning, paraplanning, compliance or leadership, this session offers thought-provoking insight into where the sector stands and what may come next. Listen to the full discussion and stay tuned for future SoapBox sessions.

In this episode, Abraham Okusanya sits down with Laurentius van den Worm, Head of Investment Strategy at Timeline, for a deep dive into the thinking behind global market cap weighting. They explore whether global equity investing still makes sense in a world where the US dominates, discuss behavioural biases that influence allocation decisions, and unpack the role of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” companies in shaping global returns.Laurentius shares insights on why global market cap remains a powerful equilibrium point, how profitability and value factors play into long-term performance, and what investors can learn from market concentration, currency risk, and diversification. It’s a thoughtful conversation on the collective wisdom of markets and what it really means to be a global investor.

In this episode, Abraham Okusanya speaks with David Morrey, Partner at Grant Thornton and one of the UK’s leading experts on financial services regulation.David helps advisers make sense of the ever-changing regulatory landscape — from consumer duty and ongoing advice to the FCA’s growth agenda and the rise of targeted support. He explains how the regulator’s tone has shifted, why flexibility is now part of the FCA’s toolkit, and what firms can do to stay ahead without losing focus on good client outcomes.They explore how advisers can evidence value, manage fair value assessments, and prepare for greater scrutiny in the years ahead. David also shares insights on consolidation, private equity involvement in the sector, and how firms can navigate these pressures while building sustainable advice models.If you want to understand how regulation is evolving — and how to thrive within it — this conversation is essential listening.

Financial storytelling is not about numbers. It is about meaning.In this episode, Mike LeGassick joins us to explore how advisers can use stories, metaphors and even props to help clients truly understand their money. From crystal balls to noise-cancelling headphones, Mike shares the tools he uses to make complex ideas clear, relatable and human.We also talk about building trust through communication, why emotions matter more than spreadsheets, and how advisers can inspire confidence rather than confusion in every client conversation.🎙️ Guest: Mike LeGassick, author of The Art of Storytelling for Financial Advisers💡 Topics: storytelling in finance, client communication, behavioural advice, purpose driven planning