Episodes
18
Latest episode
Oct 2025
Language
EN-US
Join us as we chat to special guests from across the industry about their experiences of getting in and getting on in financial services. On this podcast we aim to bring together peers and industry experts to share real career stories from real people. Find out about study options, exams and routes to qualification, and hear about our guests' experience on subjects including: Getting into Financial Services; where to start? Changing careers and transferrable skills. Routes to Level 4 Qualifications for paraplanners And more… Content and information: This podcast has been made available for information purposes only. While BTS takes great care to ensure that the information contained within this podcast is correct, we do not make any warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the information contained in the podcast. Information on the podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide any type of professional advice. Any views or opinions expressed are personal and belong to the creator or the contributor and do not represent those of people, institutions or organisations that the creator or contributor may be associated with unless explicitly stated. For advice on studying for financial planning exams, contact us via our website www.bespoketrainingsolutions.com
In this episode, Natalie Dawes at BTS chats to Kenny O'Donnell - Lead Academy Training Manager - at The M&G Wealth Advice Academy about what to expect in terms of support at The Academy and let us tell you, it's so much more than exams, financial planning processes and soft skills.A must listen for anyone considering their options when it comes to their best route into financial advice.
In this insightful episode, BTS Candidate Support and Business Development Adviser Will Salmon sits down with Rob Horner, Quilter Academy Manager, to ask some of the most frequently asked questions from prospective academy candidates. Whether you're considering a career change or just starting out, this Q&A session is designed to help you decide if the Quilter Academy is the right fit for you.Whether you're a prospective candidate, a career adviser, or simply curious about the world of financial planning, this episode offers a transparent look into one of the UK's leading training programmes for financial advice professionals. The Quilter Academy recently won Best Adviser Academy at the 2025 Money Marketing Awards.
Will Salmon, BTS Candidate Support and Business Development Adviser, speaks with Godfrey Asare, a graduate of the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy who has since launched his own financial advice firm, FE&F Wealth Management.In this episode, Godfrey reflects on his transition from a completely different career into financial services. He shares how he managed the demands of studying for his Level 4 Diploma while working full-time as a Senior Food Buyer in the retail sector, and what ultimately inspired him to take the plunge into Term 2 of the SJP Academy after earning his qualification from the LIBF.He offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Academy experience, from the training and support to the challenges and breakthroughs - and gives thoughtful advice to anyone considering a similar path.If you’re wondering what life after achieving your Diploma might look like, or you’re curious about the realities of joining the SJP Academy, this conversation offers practical insight and inspiration to help guide your next steps.Thanks for listening! If you’d like to explore opportunities with our Featured Companies or learn more about the BTS Careers Zone, feel free to get in touch.
In this episode, Natalie Dawes at BTS chats to Jack Kennedy at The M&G Wealth Advice Academy about what to expect if you are considering applying to The Academy and it might not be what you expect!A must listen for anyone considering their options when it comes to their best route into financial advice.
In this episode, Natalie Dawes at BTS chats to Allen Ferrol and Stephen Christie at The M&G Wealth Advice Academy about the support their trainee advisers receive, when it comes to building their own business.Key outcomes? Natalie learns about how the support from the team at The Academy is well rounded, thorough and adaptable - helping trainees to build successful financial advice businesses.
Will Salmon, BTS Candidate Support and Business Development Adviser sits down with James Locke DipPFS from Chartered Edge Financial Planning, to ask about James' recent experience of being a delegate on the St. James's Place Financial Adviser Academy. James used BTS materials during his R0 exams and speaks about how they helped him through his Diploma journey, his story is a great example of how BTS learners can apply their knowledge to progress in their career. James joined the St. James's Place Financial Adviser Academy in Term 2 and speaks enthusiastically the training he received, giving valuable insight about the Academy training process from a delegate's perspective and advice for people who may be thinking about applying. James also speaks about his day-to-day role now as he approaches graduation from the Academy and gives examples of how he has become more confident and independent during his training. Thanks so much for taking the time to listen to the podcast and please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at all or if you are interested in following James' footsteps and applying for a role at one of our Featured Companies on the BTS Careers Zone.
In this episode, Natalie Dawes - BTS Candidate Support & Business Development Adviser chats with Jennifer Cumberledge of True Potential Wealth Management - a BTS Featured Company.Jen alludes to her own journey within Financial Services and the career progression that she has had, greatly down to the level of support she has received in her roles to date, at True Potential.
AF7 Pension Transfers.We know at BTS that this is a niche unit, but in this episode Nikita Phillips Candidate Support and Business Development Adviser at Bespoke Training Solutions, is joined by special guest Luke Mapley as they discuss all things AF7. Tune in to find out more about this unit, and why you should be considering AF7 on your journey to chartered.
For Mental Health Week, we want to look at human side of financial planning, specifically the impact a good adviser can have, the interpersonal skills needed, and how good financial planning advice can make a real difference to people’s wellbeing. Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), define financial wellbeing as “…feeling secure and in control. It’s about making the most of your money from day to day, dealing with the unexpected, and being on track for a healthy financial future. In short: financially resilient, confident and empowered.”According to MaPS, people who experience financial wellbeing are less stressed about money. This, in turn, has positive effects on their overall mental and physical health, and on their relationships.Whilst this is likely to make a lot of sense to a lot of people, many people don’t experience good financial wellbeing. Financial stress is known to be one of the leading contributors to poor mental health which makes the role of a financial adviser a critical one. But do we instantly attribute the role of a financial adviser in this way? Probably not!Helping us to understand the how financial advisers / planners can make a difference to client wellbeing, we are joined by Tina Steele, Principal of Steele Aspire Financial Management
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