BWD: In The Know

"Talking with Archana was genuinely inspiring and thought-provoking. Her insights brought a fresh perspective on what leadership truly means, especially in today’s rapidly changing world." - James WalkerIn this episode, we unpacked:Redefining Leadership in a Post-Pandemic World: Archana shared how the role of leadership has transformed – it's no longer just about guiding teams but about creating environments where people feel genuinely connected and purposeful.Belonging vs. Fitting In: A standout moment was our discussion on the importance of belonging. Archana highlighted that belonging is about being valued for who you truly are, not just for the parts that ‘fit’ the mould. This shift is something every leader should consider as they cultivate their team culture.Boundaries in a Hybrid Work Environment: Navigating remote work has blurred boundaries between professional and personal life. Archana's insights on balancing these demands underscore the evolving responsibilities of leaders to support holistic well-being.Archana also shared insights from her upcoming book, The Through Line, which delves deeper into how storytelling, curiosity, and openness can transform both leadership and personal growth. Her reflections offer essential guidance for leaders committed to building meaningful connections.Tune in to explore these themes and more in what was a truly fascinating conversation. 

🚨 Alert: "Businesses must start transitioning to be data-led, or they risk becoming irrelevant. Those who fail to integrate data into their operations will fall behind as the industry evolves. It’s not just about compliance or efficiency anymore – it’s about survival."In this insightful episode, I sit down with Poppy Achilles to discuss three critical pillars for the future of UK financial planning:Data – Why it’s the foundation of any business and the importance of data quality in driving client experience, operations, and decision-making.Client Experience – The growing demand for digital-first, seamless interactions, especially as wealth transfers to a new generation of tech-savvy clients.AI – How AI can transform the industry, but only when supported by clean, structured data.If you're a business leader thinking about how to stay ahead in the financial services industry, this episode is a must-listen!

It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with Carla Brown, Managing Director of Oakmere and President of the PFS, to discuss some truly important and sobering topics.Carla shared her personal journey into financial services, highlighting the critical gaps in financial education that persist, particularly in schools. We touched on the need for early intervention and education to help the next generation avoid financial pitfalls and grow financially literate.One of the most eye-opening discussions was on financial abuse—a topic that hits close to home for Carla. She shared how a close friend experienced this in an abusive relationship, emphasising the subtle warning signs that can often be missed. It's a reminder to all of us that financial control is a form of abuse and something we need to be more vigilant about.We also discussed Carla’s role with the PFS, where she is focused on building stronger collaboration within the profession and working closely with the FCA to ensure the voice of financial advisers is heard in key policy decisions.Find out who inspired Carla in her journey and what she would do if she had a magic wand!?!This episode is a must-listen for every financial planner.

Join me for an illuminating conversation with the brilliant Brendan Frazier, Chief Behavioural Officer at RFG and host of the Human Side of Money podcast.This episode is packed with valuable insights for financial planners, and anyone interested in the human side of financial advice!You don’t want to miss this!Key topics discussed:🌟 The Human Element in Finance: Brendan shares his passion for integrating psychology and human behaviour into financial planning. 🚀 Helping Clients Take Action: Practical strategies to bridge the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it, helping clients follow through on their financial plans. 💡 Building Trust: Effective strategies for financial advisers to establish and maintain trust with clients. 📈 Client Reviews Redefined: Why and how financial advisers should rethink their client review process to add more value. ✨ Magic Wand: Discover what Brendan would wish for if he could change one thing.

In another Ask The Actuary special, Kieran Mistry shares his actuarial journey with us, from Deloitte to Hymans and finally, the award-winning Bulk Purchase Annuity (BPA) insurer, Standard Life in January 2022 – the last 2.5 years have been very busy in the BPA market! Keiran describes the difference between being an actuary advising the trustee side of a BPA deal to being an actuary acting for the insurer, before offering some sage advice to nearly/newly-qualified actuaries, including: “…Look for opportunities to grow and learn. If you're learning, I have a view that things will work out if you've got an actuarial badge and you keep looking to grow and learn…”

🎙️ Get ready for a special Ask the Actuary episode of BWD’s In The Know podcast! This time, we're joined by Adrienne (Ostroff) Lieberthal – the powerhouse CEO and Founder of Athena Actuarial Consulting and co-founder of NAWA (Network of Actuarial Women and Allies), boasting over 3,000 followers across the US.🚀 Tune in to hear Adrienne's inspiring journey from her days as a college athlete in Philadelphia to conquering the actuarial world. Discover how she leveraged her competitive edge to ace those tough exams and land her first roles in the field.🎉 Life took a thrilling turn for Adrienne in December 2020. Within just six days, she left a stable job, launched Athena, and got engaged! Fast forward to today: Athena has 3 business partners, 25 employees, and $3 million in annual revenue – all while staying true to its core values.💡 "I felt like there was a way to run a professional services firm that puts people at the center…when those people feel better, they do better work. They are more innovative and creative when engaged…"

We're excited to share our latest episode featuring a fascinating conversation with George Kinder, the father of the life planning movement and renowned author. In this episode, George delves into his early influences, the origin of life planning, and offers a glimpse into the future. Key topics include:Early Influences and Spirituality: Growing up in rural Ohio and how his formative years shaped his approach to life and financial planning.The Essence of Life Planning: Understanding why listening to a client's deepest aspirations is crucial before any financial planning can take place.Introducing His Latest Book: Unveiling "The Three Domains of Freedom," which explores mindfulness, the mastery of the present moment, and the concept of a fiduciary culture that promotes trust and humanity in all institutions.Additionally, we have a special segment called "Kinder Surprise," where I ask George three thought-provoking questions.

We're delighted to bring you another Ask the Actuary Special episode of BWD’s In The Know podcast, with LCP’s Bart Huby (the Football Actuary).Bart is an actuary with over 40 years’ experience in the pensions industry, but he’s managed to combine his passion for data science and Sport - in particular, football (or soccer for those of you in the States! - as Head of Sport Analytics at LCP, involved in developing and marketing LCP’s innovative soccer player recruiting platform, TransferLab, in partnership with leading football consultancy Analytics FC.He qualified as an actuary in 1989 but has never stopped learning, gathering two MBAs in Finance during his career – one focussed on the Football Industry.Listen to Bart’s actuarial journey and hear him advise nearly/newly qualified actuaries to “Be curious…create a personality for yourself…and get out of your comfort zone.”And finally, Bart quotes from Steve Parish (owner of Crystal Palace Football Club) “Look after your body as well as your mind…”