NRG Insights

Hosted by Marcus Nanson

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Episodes

159

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

NRG Insights is a series interviewing industry leaders within the financial sector, hosted by Marcus Nanson from NRG Resourcing. The series dives into key areas of business, discussing everything from social media, company progression, industry news and tips to success.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 20, 2026Episode 14427 min

Rising Stars 2026: Why The First Few Years Matter Most with Harry Downer

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Harry Downer from Raw Capital Partners to discuss his route into financial services through an apprenticeship rather than the traditional university path. Harry shares how early sales experience helped him develop the communication and relationship-building skills that have supported his career in business development. He also reflects on the value of mentorship, learning on the job, and why curiosity and asking questions are so important when you're starting out. In this episode, we discuss: - Choosing an apprenticeship over university - Learning through experience - Building relationships in financial services - The value of mentors - Developing confidence early in your career - Advice for anyone starting out in finance Listen now... If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

July 13, 2026Episode 14330 min

Rising Stars 2026: Standing Out Early in Your Finance Career with Jack Grey

In this episode of NRG Insights: Rising Stars 2026, Marcus is joined by Jack Grey from P10 Financial to explore what it takes to build a career in specialist finance at a young age. Jack's career began in personal banking before moving into mortgage advice, where he completed his CeMAP qualification. After qualifying during one of the toughest periods for the mortgage market, he made the move to P10 Financial, where an unexpected opportunity saw him transition into bridging, development and commercial finance. Since then, Jack has worked alongside some of the industry's most respected professionals, developing both his technical knowledge and his understanding of what it takes to build lasting relationships with clients and introducers. The podcast explores the value of mentorship, why personality can be one of your biggest strengths, and how young professionals can build credibility in an industry where experience is often highly valued. Jack also shares his thoughts on networking, developing a personal brand and why putting yourself out there can create opportunities that wouldn't otherwise exist. In this episode... - Jack's journey from retail banking into specialist finance - Qualifying during a challenging mortgage market - Learning bridging, development and commercial finance - The role mentorship has played in his career - Why relationships are at the heart of financial services - Building your personal brand through networking and LinkedIn - Standing out early in your career - Advice for young professionals entering the industry Whether you're looking to break into financial services or establish yourself in specialist finance, Jack shares practical insights from his own experience of building a career in a relationship-driven industry. If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

July 6, 2026Episode 14228 min

Rising Stars 2026: How to Turn Rejection Into Progress with Peter Maina

In this episode of NRG Insights: Rising Stars 2026, Marcus sits down with Peter Maina, Business Development Manager at MS Lending. Peter's route into financial services wasn't planned. What started with a chance conversation led him into mortgages, before progressing through broking and eventually into specialist lending. Throughout the conversation, Peter reflects on the importance of resilience, building relationships and making the most of opportunities, even when they don't go to plan. One of the strongest messages from the episode is that rejection doesn't have to slow your career down. Whether it's reaching out to someone in the industry, applying for a role or pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, Peter believes progress often comes from taking chances that other people avoid. The discussion also explores the role of mentorship, why representation matters, and how transferable skills can help people break into financial services, even without a traditional finance background. In this episode... - Peter's route into financial services - Moving from mortgages into specialist lending - Why rejection shouldn't stop your progression - Building confidence early in your career - The value of mentorship and representation - Identifying and using transferable skills - Developing relationships in specialist finance - Advice for anyone looking to build a career in the industry Whether you're trying to break into financial services or looking to take the next step in your career, Peter shares practical insights from his own journey and the lessons he's learned along the way. If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

June 15, 2026Episode 14125 min

Rising Stars 2026: Why Good BDMs Do More Than Sell with Harry Pleasance

In this episode of NRG Insights: Rising Stars 2026, Marcus sits down with Harry Pleasance, Business Development Manager at Glenhawk. Harry has spent more than a decade in financial services, building experience across retail banking, investment platforms, later life lending, residential mortgages, buy-to-let, commercial finance and bridging. That broad background has shaped how he approaches business development today. Rather than focusing purely on products and transactions, Harry believes the best BDMs become trusted partners to brokers by understanding the wider market, helping solve problems and supporting clients beyond their own proposition. The conversation explores Harry’s journey from corporate banking into specialist lending, the lessons he's learned along the way, and why relationships continue to be one of the biggest differentiators in a competitive market. Harry also shares his thoughts on education, market knowledge and what younger professionals can do to build credibility and trust early in their careers. In this episode: Harry’s route into financial services and specialist lending The move from corporate environments into specialist finance Why good BDMs do more than just sell products Building long-term relationships with brokers The importance of education in a fast-moving industry How broad market knowledge helps brokers and clients What makes a BDM valuable in today’s market Lessons learned from working across multiple lending sectors Whether you're a broker, lender, BDM or someone building a career in specialist finance, this episode offers a practical look at what relationship-led business development really looks like. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

June 8, 2026Episode 14024 min

The Career Advice That Keeps Coming Up in Finance

People build careers in finance in very different ways. Some start in sales. Some come through lending. Some build businesses. Others progress through leadership roles over time. But despite those different paths, certain pieces of advice seem to come up again and again. In this episode, we bring together highlights from previous NRG Insights conversations with Adam Butler, Paula Mercer, Andy Alvarez, Aby Pickford and Roz Cawood. The discussion covers some of the themes that repeatedly surface across the industry, including relationships, resilience, career progression, leadership and personal growth. While every guest has a different perspective and experience, there are clear similarities in how successful people approach challenges, opportunities and long-term career development. Topics discussed include: The career advice that continues to resonate across the industry Why relationships play such an important role in long-term success Learning from setbacks and difficult periods The importance of consistency and reputation Leadership, growth and progression Taking opportunities when they arise Featured guests: Adam Butler Paula Mercer Andy Alvarez Abi Pickford Roz Cawood Whether you're early in your career or have spent years in the industry, this episode offers a collection of perspectives from people who have built successful careers across financial services. If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

May 26, 2026Episode 13944 min

What Makes a Great Sales Leader in Finance with Adam Tauber

In this episode of NRG Insights , Marcus is joined by Adam Tauber , Head of Sales at Phoenix205 Money. With more than two decades of experience across sales, broking and specialist finance, Adam shares the journey that took him from early sales roles into senior leadership within the lending industry. The conversation looks at how sales skills translate into finance, what separates strong sales leaders from average ones, and why relationships still sit at the centre of business growth in specialist lending. Adam also reflects on working across both lender and broker sides of the industry, and how those experiences shaped the way he now leads teams, structures deals and builds partnerships. In this episode: How Adam got started in sales at 17 Lessons learned from early sales environments Moving into financial services and specialist finance The transition between lending and broking What makes a strong sales leader in finance Building high-performing teams and culture Why relationships still drive business growth How Phoenix205 Money is evolving its broker proposition This episode is a practical look at leadership, progression and relationship-building in specialist finance, from someone who has worked across multiple sides of the industry. If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

May 18, 2026Episode 1386 min

7 Minutes of Career Advice for Young People in Finance

In this special short-form episode of NRG Insights Rising Stars 2026 , we bring together highlights from our first four guests: Calypso Cox Jack Cope Francesca Starkey Razvana Horton Four honest perspectives on what helps younger professionals progress early in their careers. Across just seven minutes, this episode pulls together some of the biggest themes that have come up throughout the Rising Stars series so far. From confidence and networking, to resilience, adaptability and taking opportunities when they appear. Whether you’re starting out in finance, changing direction, or trying to build momentum early in your career, there’s a lot packed into this episode. If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

May 11, 2026Episode 13724 min

Rising Stars 2026: What Helps Young People Progress in Finance with Calypso Cox

In this episode of NRG Insights: Rising Stars 2026, Marcus sits down with Calypso Cox from Stamford Finance. Calypso’s route into finance wasn’t planned in the traditional sense. With a background in English Literature and Art History, she found herself entering the industry through a marketing internship before moving into a role that combined marketing, relationship management and business development. Since then, she’s built experience across both BD and marketing, developing a strong understanding of how relationships, communication and consistency help people progress in a relationship-led industry. This conversation looks at what actually helps young people build momentum early in their careers. From networking and learning quickly, to understanding people, building confidence and making the most of unexpected opportunities. It’s also an honest discussion about entering a male-dominated industry at a young age, and how younger professionals are finding their place within it. In this episode: How Calypso found her way into finance The crossover between marketing and business development What helps young people build confidence early in their careers Why networking and relationships matter so much in finance The challenges of entering a male-dominated industry How young professionals can stand out and build credibility Why saying yes to opportunities often matters more than having a fixed plan If you’re early in your career, trying to build confidence, or looking to understand how progression actually happens in finance, this episode is worth a listen. If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

May 5, 2026Episode 13626 min

Rising Stars 2026: Starting in Property, Moving Into Finance with Razvana Horton

In this episode of NRG Insights: Rising Stars 2026, Marcus sits down with Razvana Horton, Business Development Manager at Hampshire Trust Bank. Razvana didn’t start in finance. Her early career was in property, working across off-plan sales in both UK and international markets. When the market shifted during the pandemic, she had to adapt quickly, moving her focus towards income-generating property and thinking more commercially about deals. That shift eventually led her into financial services. This conversation looks at what that transition really involved, from learning a new side of the industry, to understanding deals in more depth, and building the relationships that sit behind them. It’s a practical look at how people move into finance without a traditional route, and what helps once you’re in. In this episode: - Starting out in property and off-plan sales - Adapting to market changes during the pandemic - Moving from property into financial services - The transition from brokering into lending - Why relationships matter more than most people think - The role of mentors and leadership in career progression - What helps new entrants build confidence and credibility If you’re looking to move into finance, change direction, or build a career in a relationship-led industry, this episode gives a clear view of what that journey can look like. If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

April 27, 2026Episode 13525 min

Rising Stars 2026: From Redundancy to Rising Star with Francesca Starkey

In this episode of NRG Insights: Rising Stars 2026, Marcus sits down with Francesca Starkey, Business Development Manager at Project & Co. Francesca’s route into the industry wasn’t straightforward. After facing two redundancies in 2024, she found herself reassessing what came next and applying for new opportunities without a fixed plan. That next step led her into specialist finance and into a BDM role she’d never done before. What followed has been rapid progress, strong industry recognition, and proof that experience isn’t always the only thing that matters. This conversation looks at how Francesca backed herself, adapted quickly, and turned her personality into a genuine advantage in a relationship-led industry. It’s also an honest look at confidence, resilience, and what early career progression can really look like when you’re willing to learn on the move. In this episode: How Francesca dealt with redundancy and found a new direction Moving into a BDM role with no previous BDM experience Why personality and authenticity can be a real advantage The importance of building trust and relationships early How confidence is often misunderstood in business The role mentors and supportive networks play in progression Advice for young professionals entering financial services If you’re early in your career, changing direction, or trying to build momentum in a competitive industry, this episode is packed with perspective. If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.