I was listening to a talk recently about disappointment, and one idea really stood out: disappointment often shows up when our expectations fail to meet reality. It’s in these moments—when things don’t go as planned—that we freeze. Fear takes over, and we’re left asking: What now? How do I respond?
I used to spend a lot of time travelling around England for financial services roadshows. We’d arrive early, set up our stand, and try to engage financial advisers about our latest offerings. But more often than not, it became clear that the real draw wasn’t the conversation — it was the free stuff on the table.
A few months ago, I launched the Money Wise UK podcast. The goal wasn't to set the world alight with radical ideas, but to continue the meaningful conversations I used to have in a previous role—conversations that often touched on values, purpose, and the difficult questions we tend to avoid.
As the average age of financial advisers in the UK continues to rise—and younger professionals are not entering the industry at the same rate—consolidation has become an increasingly appealing option, particularly for those looking to retire or exit the business.
Every time I mention that I’ve trademarked Centralised Retirement Proposition, the reaction is always the same:“Really?”Followed by, “But why?”
How we present ourselves—especially online—often reflects the message we want to convey. Being visible and active within my network is essential in a role like mine. But just as important is staying true to my principles. That second part can be tested frequently, particularly in the noisy world of social media, where many seek to present their way as the only way.
Tariffs have dominated recent headlines, with much of the focus on what they might mean for markets and trade relationships. But here’s a simple truth: if you don’t build strong foundations – personal, financial, and societal – then applying tariffs is like adding a roof to a house with no walls. It might hold for a while, but the risk of collapse is high.
"Markets always go up."It’s a comforting phrase often used by investors to justify staying the course through turbulent times. But is it true?
Looking back, it’s incredible how quickly things can change. Think about the euphoria of the dot-com bubble, the crash that followed, and nearly three years of negative stock market returns. Then came the global financial crisis, reshaping economies for years.
We recently visited Berlin and experienced the Berlin Story Bunker, an eye-opening exhibition titled “How Could It Happen?”. This raw exploration of the rise and fall of Hitler offered a stark reminder of how easily minds can be manipulated. While events like these may seem unimaginable today, the experience highlighted how propaganda continues to influence opinions and shape actions.
In my last blog, I shared my lightbulb moment—an insight that shifted my perspective. Today, I want to share something deeply personal about how the challenges of the last few months have changed and shaped me.
When we buy a car, we have something tangible—something we can touch, see, and feel. For many of us, our work isn’t about producing physical objects. Instead, it’s about delivering solutions to problems—an inherently intangible offering that can be difficult to articulate.
