In this special episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes welcomes David Tate, Managing Director and Founder of Redmill Advance, our official training and development sponsor for 2026.

David shares the inspiring growth journey of Redmill Advance and how they are transforming training and development in the financial planning profession through accessible qualifications, CPD, and behavioural support. From self-study learners to large-scale corporate academies, David explains how their tech-first, learner-centric approach is improving pass rates and raising industry standards.

We explore learning styles, neurodiversity, and how financial planning firms can deliver consistent, high-quality CPD. With a first-time pass rate above 85% in their academies and less than 5% client churn since inception, Redmill Advance is quietly becoming one of the most impactful education providers in financial services.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring financial planners, T&C professionals, and business leaders seeking to develop internal talent and futureproof their advice businesses.

Key Subjects Covered in This Episode:

🎓 Qualifications & Learning Pathways in Financial Planning

• CII, CISI, LIBF qualification routes
• Diploma vs Chartered training
• Self-study vs Academy formats

🧠 Learning Styles & Neurodiversity

• Supporting different learning preferences (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)
• Onboarding resources focused on study psychology
• Accommodating neurodiverse learners

📈 CPD, Competency & Regulatory Needs

• Bite-sized, digital-first CPD
• Centralised CPD solutions to reduce fragmentation
• Data-driven MI to identify training gaps and compliance needs

🧑‍💼 B2B Training & Academy Solutions

• Running academies for leading firms (SJP, Quilter, Mazars, etc.)
• White-labeled platforms (Redmill Advance Hub)
• Supporting HR, T&C, and compliance goals

💡 Business Growth & Market Impact

• Redmill’s journey from startup to major player
• Over 500 learning modules and growing
• Strong client retention and pass rates as proof points

🚀 Future of Redmill Advance

• Strategic investment in marketing and storytelling
• Hiring expert trainers to scale delivery
• Commitment to raising standards and closing the advice gap

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 redmilladvance.com

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

This week on the Financial Planner Life podcast, I’m joined by Sean Standerwick, co-owner of MLP Wealth Management, a financial planning firm based on the high street in Surrey with a powerful story: a 42-year legacy that's now being run with the mindset and energy of a startup.

Sean and his brother have taken the reins from their father, infusing the business with a culture built on innovation, career development, and deep local community ties. From installing a defibrillator on their office wall to hosting pitch meetings where team members create service ideas, MLP isn't your average advice firm, and Sean isn’t your average leader.

We talk about:

• How being on the high street has driven client engagement and local brand dominance
• Building a startup culture in an established firm (and why that matters for talent attraction)
• The journey of James, a trainee-turned-adviser, and what great career development looks like
• How Sean’s practice of Buddhism influences company culture, emotional intelligence, and leadership
• What makes MLP’s recruitment and onboarding process different (and more human)
• Why hyper-local marketing still works in a digital-first world
• And how one small idea, pitched internally, led to new service lines like wills and LPAs
  
  

If you're an aspiring financial planner looking for a forward-thinking firm, or an established adviser wanting to run your own business without losing your soul, this one’s for you.

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 redmilladvance.com

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes speaks with Heather Hiley, founder of Heather Hiley Financial Planning and a Partner Practice with St. James’s Place. Heather shares her inspiring transition from retail and e-commerce into financial planning via the St James's Place Financial Adviser Academy at the age of 45, showing what’s possible with courage, curiosity, and commitment.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

• A Non-Traditional Start: Heather began her career in retail and ran a furniture business for over 10 years. Despite a long period without contributing to her pension, she felt a renewed interest in finance and discovered financial planning as a meaningful next step.
• The St. James’s Place Academy Journey: Heather explains why she chose the SJP Academy, how it helped her gain both qualifications and client-facing experience, and why resilience is essential when launching your own practice.
• Building Her Practice: Heather shares the reality of her first year. It was quiet at first, with an empty diary and no clients, but consistent action across face-to-face networking and social media helped her build momentum and credibility.
• Purpose-Driven Marketing: Instead of pushing sales, Heather committed to financial education in schools and community groups. Her genuine passion for helping others naturally attracted clients who resonated with her message and approach.
• Recognition and Contribution: Heather won the Mike Wilson Award for overall contribution at SJP. This acknowledged not only her business progress, but also her community involvement and mentorship within the SJP ecosystem.
• Supporting the Self-Employed and Business Owners: With a background in business ownership, Heather relates strongly to self-employed clients who often overlook financial planning. She uses her experience to support them in building secure financial futures.
• Giving Back with Purpose: Heather shares the emotional story behind the Alice Hiley Memorial Trust, founded in memory of her daughter. Her personal journey has deepened her empathy and shaped her purpose, both professionally and personally.
• Looking Ahead: Heather is focused on three things: taking a well-earned break, continuing to support her growing client base, and relaunching her charity with renewed energy. She’s also planning to bring in another adviser as her business grows.

Why This Episode Matters:
If you're considering a career change, thinking about becoming a business owner in financial planning, or want to understand how purpose can shape professional success, Heather’s journey offers valuable lessons and heartfelt inspiration.

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

Title: From 17 Clients to £500M AUM: How Marc Norris Built a Thriving Financial Planning Firm

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes is joined by Marc Norris, founder of Twelve Wealth Management, to explore how he went from estate agency to building a financial advice business with over £500 million under management.

Marc shares his journey from day one of the St. James’s Place Academy, through the early years of client acquisition, to leading a team of 38 advisers and staff, with big plans to triple the size of the business in the next five years.

🔥 What you'll learn in this episode:

• How Marc used his estate agency background to win early clients
• The role the SJP Academy played in helping him build the foundations
• Why mortgages were a strategic way to keep cash flow going and build trust
• How he built powerful introducer relationships, especially with accountants
• How he supports an accountancy firm with 8,000 clients through education and webinars
• Why relationship-building still beats technical knowledge in the early years
• How he plans to scale towards £1 billion AUM with a long-term mindset

💬 Marc’s story is a real-world example of what it takes to grow a successful advice business from the ground up and it’s packed with practical insights for anyone building a career in financial planning.

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes talks with Neil Whiteside, a financial planner at First Equitable, about his winding, risk‑reward career journey from starting as a cashier in banking to embracing financial planning, taking a pay cut for growth as a trainee Financial Planner, and ultimately choosing a role that lets him help build a business rather than just sustain one.

Neil shares:

• How his early roles in banking taught him core skills (customer service, fact‑finding, relationship building).
• The tough choice to leave a secure management path to pursue financial planning.
• What it took to get back to his previous income after stepping into a trainee adviser role.
• How specialisation (e.g., working with hospital doctors and understanding complex pension schemes) boosted his confidence and client value.
• His transition from corporate structures to smaller firms, where influence, autonomy, and entrepreneurial energy matter.
• Why protection advice is undervalued and the power it has to transform clients’ lives.
• How voluntary work and governance roles are shaping his long‑term vision - including non‑executive director aspirations.

This episode offers honest career reflections and tactical lessons for aspiring and established advisors alike.

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes speaks with Tammy Salmon and Emma Layton of Salmon Financial Planning, a partner practice of St. James’s Place in Bishop’s Stortford.

We hear how Emma transitioned from redundancy to a qualified financial planner through the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy, supported by Tammy’s mentorship. Tammy shares her 20-year journey in financial services and why creating a flexible, values-led business was essential for her success and her team’s.

Together, they explore:

• Why women leave financial services mid-career
• The power of local, relationship-led client acquisition
• From mortgage adviser to business owner
• Why visibility of women in leadership matters
• How motherhood and financial planning can thrive side-by-side

If you’re considering a career in financial planning or want to build a more inclusive practice, this episode is for you.

00:00 - Intro to Tammy & Emma’s Story
01:45 - Why So Few Women Become Financial Advisers
04:30 - Tammy’s Journey from Mortgage to Financial Advice
07:50 - Emma’s Career Change & Entry via SJP Academy
11:10 - The Role of Mentorship in Career Progression
14:30 - Creating a Flexible, Family-First Advice Firm
18:15 - Visibility of Women in Leadership Roles
22:00 - Local Marketing & The Bishop’s Stortford Mummies
25:45 - Authenticity Over Aggression in Sales
29:00 - Work-Life Balance and Setting Boundaries
32:10 - Advice for Women Entering Financial Planning
35:20 - Who the SJP Academy is Right For
37:45 - Legacy, Purpose & Final Reflections
40:00 - Wrap Up & How to Connect

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

This week on the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Rosie Hooper, Chartered Fellow and Financial Planner at Quilter Cheviot. Rosie shares her inspiring 26-year journey from her early days in bank management, through corporate employee benefits, to becoming a highly respected private client planner.

Rosie talks candidly about how growing up in a household where money was tight shaped her relationship with finances and fuelled her passion for planning. She opens up about the emotional depth of her client work, why she proudly calls herself a "financial planner" rather than an advisor, and how truly understanding her clients’ lives, not just their portfolios, makes all the difference.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The mindset shift from corporate benefits to private client advice, and how the two worlds are more connected than you think
• How to create a referral engine by delivering a first-class, emotionally resonant client experience
• The power of coaching and mentorship in developing new talent (and why "menchoring" might be the secret sauce)
• Why confidence is just as important as competence, and how Rosie helps emerging planners build both
• How AI is enhancing client service at Quilter Cheviot while preserving the all-important human touch
• Rosie's two "magic wand" wishes for the future of the financial planning profession

Plus, hear about the "health and wealth seesaw” she uses to help clients balance financial goals with living a fulfilling, healthy life. Discover how this approach, alongside her deep client relationships, has earned her the nickname Rosie Poppins.

Whether you're new to financial planning or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and practical wisdom for building a client-focused, referral-based business.

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.

This week on the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes speaks with James Westpfel, a financial planner at Foster Denovo, who shares his career journey from self-employed to employed and how going hyper-local helped him build a thriving client base from scratch.

After 22 years working in a building society, James made the leap into self-employment. With no client book and no lead funnel, he turned to his local community for opportunity. His strategy? Show up in person, build trust and offer financial guidance where people needed it most.

By setting up a weekly financial advice clinic in a local community library, James became a familiar, approachable presence. That hyper-local client strategy helped him win over 40 clients organically, through word of mouth and relationships built face-to-face.

In this episode, James opens up about:
✅ His transition from redundancy to retraining as a financial planner
✅ The highs and lows of being a self-employed financial planner
✅ How he used a hyper-local strategy to win clients and build trust
✅ Why he moved to an employed role at Foster Denovo
✅ How structure and support have helped him thrive, managing a book of 170 clients
✅ What financial planners should consider when choosing between self-employed and employed paths

If you're exploring a financial planner career, looking for new ways to connect with clients, or considering the realities of self-employed vs employed advice, this episode is packed with insight and real-world experience.

00:00 – Intro: Why finding clients is the hardest part
00:30 – Redundancy after 22 years in banking
01:45 – From cashier to branch manager: James’ early career
04:00 – The reality of high street banking and community connection
06:20 – Is banking still a good route into financial planning?
08:00 – Retraining at 42: Overcoming fears and starting again
09:40 – Finding opportunities after qualification
10:20 – Choosing the self-employed route in financial advice
11:30 – The biggest challenge: confidence and standing out
12:40 – The hyper-local idea that changed everything
14:00 – Setting up a financial advice clinic in a community library
16:00 – Becoming “The Library Guy” and winning 40+ clients
18:10 – Why James works with clients of all wealth levels
19:40 – Building a referral network with care and integrity
22:00 – Hyper-local visibility: how trust builds trust
24:00 – Connecting with local businesses and schools
26:30 – From library pop-ups to career opportunities
27:20 – Why James chose to join Foster Denovo
29:00 – Managing 170 clients: structure, support, and growth
30:30 – Balancing work, family, and purpose
32:00 – Keeping the community work alive at Foster Denovo
34:00 – Advice for planners considering employed vs self-employed
36:00 – Final thoughts: trust, career clarity, and client care

Financial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill Advance
Whether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.
✅ Trusted by top UK firms
👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fpl

Be sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.