In this week’s episode, Matt and Sue are looking into one of the most consistent challenges faced by advice firms: technology complexity.

They are joined by John Milliken, CEO of Defaqto, to talk about how advice businesses can move from integrating multiple tech platforms to a more unified operating model. Advisers regularly face the frustration of juggling many different software platforms that don’t talk to each other, creating inefficiencies and compliance risks too.

In this episode, Matt, Sue, and John discuss:

• Integration vs. unification: What this shift means for advisers and why it matters.
• Adviser pain points: Where current tech stacks fall short and how firms are feeling about being weighed down by complexity.
• Day-to-day changes: How a unified operating model can simplify workflows, strengthen compliance, and give advisers more confidence.
• Managing change: How firms can adopt new technology at a pace that works for their business.
• Key takeaways: John’s top insights for advisers navigating technology challenges.

Listen now to hear how things are changing in the adviser tech world that look set to transform the efficiency and effectiveness of many advice businesses in future.

In this episode of IFA Talk, we’re talking all things paraplanning and why the role continues to grow in importance across the advice profession.

Jenny and Matt are joined by Steve Nelson, Insight Director at the lang cat, to chat through the latest State of the Advice Nation research. This is the third year paraplanners have had a focused pathway in the study, which means we’re finally starting to see some clear themes emerge around career paths, day to day realities and where firms are getting it right, or not.

During the conversation, we look at paraplanning as a career in its own right, how visible and understood the role really is, and what the research tells us about the challenges paraplanners still face behind the scenes. From workload pressures to systems and support, it’s an honest discussion grounded in real data and real experience.

As ever, Steve does a brilliant job of bringing the numbers to life and connecting the findings to what’s actually happening in advice firms across the UK.

Now live: The latest Mortgage & Property Investment special edition of IFA Talk looks ahead to 2026 and beyond, exploring how shifting household behaviour, retirement sequencing, and property wealth are shaping modern financial planning.

In this episode, hosts Meg and Jenny are joined by Phillip Wickenden, founder and CEO of Ad Lucem. Phil shares his insights on the changing landscape of adviser-client conversations, including the growing importance of retirement sequencing, the evolving role of property wealth, and why later-life lending and “home-in-the-plan” discussions are becoming increasingly central to financial planning.

Key discussion points also include:

• Household behavioural shifts heading into 2026 and what they mean for advisers

• How inheritance tax changes are affecting retirement sequencing and client decision-making

• Practical challenges advisers are facing more often, including managing client intent and tax implications

• The role of property wealth and later-life lending in modern, client-centred conversations

• How intergenerational advice creates both business opportunities and long-term client retention

This episode provides valuable insight for advisers looking to navigate the changing financial planning landscape, offering practical guidance and highlighting the opportunities for advisers to add value for clients in the year ahead.

Be sure to check out the episode and all other episodes of IFA Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon!