In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we meet Daniel Thomas, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Project Lead at Foster Denovo. Daniel joined the business in 2021 as a PA, unsure of where his career was heading. Fast forward three years, and he’s now a central figure in our mergers and acquisitions team, supporting every stage of the firm’s growth journey. He shares how his role evolved from admin support to project leadership, why he thrives on being at the centre of complex pro...

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we speak with Jamie Smith, Senior Partner at Foster Denovo. Jamie shares his journey from starting out as a self-employed adviser to becoming an employed Senior Partner, a less common route in financial advice. He talks about why he made the move, how the employed model has supported his growth, and why trust and relationships are still at the heart of what he does every day. 🎧 In this episode: What it is really like moving from ...

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, hosted by Darren Laverty, we sit down with Joanne Bunn, Head of Client Operations at Secondsight, to explore how a career can evolve when you follow your strengths, stay curious and lean into change. Jo reflects on her 14-year journey with the business from her first role in marketing to leading the client operations team through growth, change and a large acquisition. She shares how she made that pivot, what helped her succeed in operations, and ...

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Chris Thomas, Head of Investment Management, joins Helena and Nikos to unpack what his role involves and why the investment function exists to serve advisers and their clients, not the other way around. Chris breaks down the four core pillars of his work: adviser development, proposition design, the investment committee, and leading the internal team. But this is not a technical episode. It is about helping advisers feel more confident in how they...

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we speak with Marnel Stafford, Senior Partner, about the power of specialisation and how her lived experience shaped a career focused on supporting women through complex life stages. Marnel works with clients navigating divorce, menopause, and major financial transitions. She shares how she built trust in this space, the types of conversations that matter most, and why women deserve advice that reflects both their challenges and their goals. ...

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we speak with Neal Shepherd, Senior Partner at Foster Denovo, who reflects on more than 25 years with the business. Neal talks us through the early days, joining the firm that would eventually become Foster Denovo, and how his role evolved over the years. From sales manager to private wealth adviser to employee benefits specialist, he shares the pivotal decisions that shaped his path. He also opens up about his recent practice buyout, the ad...

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we speak with Gavin Zaprzala-Banks, Head of Client Consulting at Foster Denovo, about leading through the acquisition of Punter Southall Aspire and managing one of the smoothest transitions the business has seen. Gavin shares his experience of joining Foster Denovo through acquisition - from client communications and adviser alignment to building a shared culture that works. He offers honest insight into what helped, what surprised him and what others i...

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we speak with Gracie McAuliffe, Client Relationship Manager at Foster Denovo, about her career journey, the challenges she has faced, and what it means to grow professionally in a business that supports your ambitions. Gracie joined Foster Denovo four years ago and has developed her role from the ground up. She speaks openly about what the last year has meant for her both personally and professionally, and why it has been the most rewarding period of he...

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we speak with Ross Stevens, Financial Adviser at Foster Denovo, about what it means to take full ownership of your work. Ross joined the firm during the pandemic, inheriting a client bank from three retiring Partners. It was a steep learning curve, but one that taught him how to lead with trust, build strong client relationships and develop his own rhythm. He shares how he moved from a self-employed role to an employed one, and why that shift did not ch...

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we speak with Ameeta Bhayani, Senior Partner at Foster Denovo, about her career journey from cashier to qualified adviser and how she found the right fit after many years in financial services. Ameeta shares: Her early days working in the finance industry What it was like to take on a client bank and make it her own How she managed personal challenges with professional support Why she feels empowered and genuinely backed in he...

What’s it really like to go through an acquisition and come out the other side stronger? In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we sit down with David Hulland, Partner and former adviser at Brian Mole, who shares his honest experience of being acquired by Foster Denovo. Rather than a job move or a fresh start, this was a full-scale transition, professionally and emotionally. David opens up about what it was like to go from smaller advice firm to integrating into a larger advisory...

How do you build a culture where people feel safe, supported, and inspired to do their best work? In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Louise Blair, Director of People and Culture, shares how the firm approaches culture, wellbeing, and talent in a fast-evolving financial services environment. Louise speaks openly about the challenges and opportunities of driving cultural change, from improving internal communication to redefining what employee wellbeing really looks like. ...

Selling your business is one of the biggest decisions an adviser can make and Ian Little has done just that. In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Ian shares the journey behind selling his financial advisory business and why Foster Denovo was the right partner for the next chapter. From the emotional side of letting go to the strategic benefits of joining a larger firm, Ian reflects on what really matters in a successful sale and how Foster Denovo supported his team, preserved h...

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, COO Helen Lovett sits down with host’s Helena and Nikos to reflect on an extraordinary year of growth, transformation, and innovation. Helen shares: Insights into Foster Denovo’s seven recent acquisitions and how the firm integrates new Partners (advisers) while maintaining cultural alignment. The emergence of new roles and career opportunities for people across the business. The firm’s pragmatic approach to technology and AI, focu...