In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, Meg Bratley and Sue Whitbread are joined by Jamie Sexton, Chief Client Officer at True Potential, to explore the fast-evolving role of AI in financial advice and what it means for the future of the profession.

As technology continues to reshape the advice landscape, the conversation focuses on where AI is having the greatest impact today, from supporting basic guidance to enhancing more complex, high-touch advice. Jamie shares his perspective on how advisers can think about AI not as a threat, but as a practical tool to help close the advice gap and improve outcomes for clients.

The episode also dives into what meaningful AI integration actually looks like in practice. Beyond simply saving time, the discussion explores how firms can measure success, embed technology effectively, and ensure it enhances both operational efficiency and the overall advice proposition.

We also look at the client experience and how technology can go beyond efficiency gains to play a deeper role in building trust, identifying client needs earlier, and strengthening long-term relationships.

We wrapped things up by asking Jamie for his key takeaways, offering practical insights for advisers looking to navigate the intersection of AI, regulation and client engagement.

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, we unpack one of the biggest challengers facing advisers; helping clients stay calm when markets become uncertain.

In such turbulent times, good advice really matters, not just in terms of building financial plans, but in helping clients manage the emotional side of investing and avoid making mistakes from short-term overreactions.

This week, James Sullivan, Head of Partnerships at Tyndall Investment Management, joins us to discuss how advisers can prepare clients for turbulent periods, communicate effectively during uncertainty, and keep conversations focused on long-term outcomes.

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, Jenny Hunter, Deputy Editor of IFA Magazine, and Editor Sue Whitbread are joined by Anthony Villis, Managing Director and co-founder of First Wealth, to discuss the real value of financial planning.

While investment performance often dominates client conversations, the discussion explores how the true value advisers provide often lies elsewhere. Anthony shares his thoughts on how advisers can move conversations beyond short-term returns and towards purpose, long-term goals and better financial decision-making.

The episode also touches on the role of human behaviour in how people manage their money. Anthony explains how biases and emotions can influence client decisions, and how advisers can help clients stay focused on the bigger picture during times of uncertainty or market volatility.

We wrapped things up by considering what a great long-term adviser might look like in the future, and how the profession may continue to evolve as planning, behavioural coaching and deeper client relationships become even more important.

We could have chatted to Anthony for much longer than we had time for, so I’m sure we’ll see him again on the podcast soon to chat about even more interesting topics.

Now live: This month’s New Insurance & Protection special edition of IFA Talk tackles a critical question for advisers: how can clients be best supported through a cancer diagnosis, and what role should protection planning play in that journey?

In this episode, Meg Bratley and Jenny Hunter are joined by Mark Stephenson, CEO of Reframe Cancer, to discuss how advisers can help clients navigate cancer support, the evolving landscape of patient needs, and where opportunities lie for proactive guidance and tailored protection solutions.

What this episode covers

• Key shifts in cancer care and patient expectations that advisers should be aware of

• How advisers and insurers can improve support during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery

• The role of specialist cancer navigation and why it can make a real difference for clients

• Practical opportunities and challenges for advisers over the next 12–18 months

This episode is essential listening for advisers looking to enhance their client support offering, understand the practical impact of a cancer diagnosis, and explore how tailored protection solutions can provide reassurance and guidance when clients need it most. In a market where empathy, expertise, and proactive guidance matter more than ever, this episode underscores why being equipped to support clients through serious illness is not just good pra

Now live: The latest Mortgage & Property Investment special edition of IFA Talk explores the evolving Near Prime mortgage market and the ways lenders and technology are supporting borrowers with adverse credit.

In this episode, hosts Meg Bratley and Jenny Hunter are joined by Richard Harrison, Head of Mortgages at Atom Bank. Richard shares his insights into the rising activity in the Near Prime segment, the challenges advisers face when working with these clients, and practical approaches lenders are taking to help borrowers rebuild their credit and gradually regain Prime status.

Key discussion points include:

• The factors driving growth in the Near Prime mortgage market

• How technology is improving the experience for advisers and borrowers in the adverse credit space

• Common challenges advisers encounter when supporting Near Prime clients

• Lender strategies to help borrowers rebuild credit and progress towards Prime status

• Practical guidance for advisers on collaborating with lenders in this dynamic market

This episode provides valuable insight for brokers and mortgage professionals navigating the Near Prime segment, offering guidance on trends, technology, and lender approaches that can help advisers support clients with more complex credit profiles.

Be sure to check out this episode and all other episodes of IFA Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon, and visit the Mortgage & Property tab on the IFA Magazine website for the latest news and insights.

AI continues to dominate conversations across the advice profession and it remains one of the most popular topics with readers of IFA Magazine. But beyond the hype, what does AI actually mean for financial advisers in practice? Is it friend or foe?

In the latest episode of the IFA Talk podcast, hosts Sue Whitbread and Matt Williams explore how AI is beginning to reshape the advice process. Joining them is Mark Whitcroft, CEO and co-founder of PlannerPal, an AI-powered workflow tool designed for financial advisers and wealth managers.

What AI means for advisers

PlannerPal helps firms automate and streamline time consuming processes such as meeting notes, document reviews and CRM updates, working alongside the systems advisers already use. In this conversation, Mark shares what he is seeing as more advice firms start integrating AI into their businesses.

Together they discuss how AI is changing advisers’ day to day work, the common mistakes firms make when adopting new technology, and how AI could improve outcomes for clients.

Protecting the human side of advice

They also address the big question many advisers are asking, whether AI could threaten the human side of advice. As the discussion highlights, the real opportunity may lie in using technology to reduce admin and give advisers more time to focus on their clients.

Markets have been shaken again with the continuing war in the Gulf adding fresh uncertainty for advisers and clients alike. With the busy end of the tax year period already underway, many advisers will also be fielding anxious calls from clients asking what they should be doing with their portfolios.

Recording this episode of IFA Talk on March 9th, Sue and Matt speak with Trevor Greetham, Head of Multi Asset at Royal London Asset Management, about how advisers should approach long-term investment strategies during periods of heightened market volatility, such as we’re seeing right now.

The conversation explores the importance of diversification at a time when traditional asset relationships have been tested, the potential role of alternatives such as property and commodities, and the growing risk of “spikeflation” driven by energy markets and geopolitics.

Trevor also explains how his Investment Clock framework can help advisers interpret the economic cycle and think about active asset allocation in a more uncertain environment.

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, IFA Magazine’s weekly podcast, we’re diving into retirement planning with a difference, looking at both the psychology of it and the financial aspects.

Supporting clients with retirement planning is a key area of every financial adviser’s business, but the best advisers go a step further. Joining us to explore this topic is James Woodfall, a former financial adviser who has done some interesting work on retirement psychology.

Together, we discuss James’ recent research into retirement psychology, what advisers are doing to help their clients transition to retirement successfully, and what advisers should consider doing more of, to help their clients thrive in their retirement.