Money Wise UK®
Money Wise UK® is a podcast about investments, business, and personal finance. Hosted by George Ladds, founder of Money Wise UK®, it focuses on independent thinking and expert perspectives on financial advice. Episodes cover current trends, strategies, and ideas shaping finance. The show notes that it does not provide specific financial advice and directs listeners to a financial planner for personal guidance.
Episodes
Nick Train on Long-Term Investing: Patience, AI, UK Equities & 40 Years of Lessons
Nick Train has spent more than 40 years in investment management. In this wide-ranging conversation, he reflects on what four decades in markets have taught him about patience, conviction, valuation and the importance of owning great businesses for the long term.We explore active versus passive investing, why Nick believes more people should own equities, and why concentrated portfolios require bo
Beyond Active vs Passive: Building Investment Portfolios That Behave — with Ash Weston
The debate between active and passive investing is often presented as a simple choice. But does that binary argument distract advisers from the questions that really matter?In this episode of the Money Wise UK Podcast, George Ladds is joined by Ash Weston, Head of Model Portfolio Services at 8AM Global, to explore how investment portfolios can be designed to behave consistently, support a financia
Retirement, Risk Profiling and the Future of Advice with Andrew Spence
In this episode of the Money Wise UK Podcast, George Ladds is joined by Andrew Spence, CEO and Founder of Aspen Advisers.Andrew’s route into financial services was not a traditional one. After studying marine engineering, he moved into investment management just before the Global Financial Crisis. That experience shaped much of his thinking around portfolio construction, risk, client behaviour and
Retirement Is Changing: Inflation, Longevity and the Future of Retirement Planning with Emma Mogford
Retirement is changing.People are living longer, defined benefit pensions are becoming less common, and more responsibility is shifting to individuals to create sustainable retirement incomes.In this episode of the Money Wise UK Podcast, I am joined by Emma Mogford, Portfolio Manager at Premier Miton Investors, to explore what retirement may look like over the next 10–20 years.We discuss:• Why ret
Rethinking Markets with Gervais Williams – The Case for UK Small Caps and Income Investing
In this episode, George Ladds is joined by Gervais Williams, veteran fund manager, author, and long-standing advocate for UK equities. Gervais shares his journey from engineering into investment management and reflects on over three decades of navigating market cycles.We discuss:Why today’s markets differ from past cycles – and the risks of assuming “buy the dip” always worksThe retreat of globali
Unlocking UK Growth with Benji Dawes, Premier Miton UK Growth Fund
In this episode, George Ladds sits down with Benji Dawes, co-manager of the Premier Miton UK Growth Fund, to explore why UK equities, particularly small and mid-caps, may offer one of the most compelling opportunities for long-term investors.Benji shares his unique journey from studying anthropology to becoming a fund manager, explains the fund’s three investment pillars —quality, valuation, and g
Inside Orbis: Active Thinking, Fee Alignment, and Building a Culture That Lasts
In this episode of the Money Wise UK Podcast, host George Ladds speaks with Matthew Spencer of Orbis Investments — one of the most distinctive voices in the world of multi-asset investing.Matthew shares his journey from aspiring sports coach in South Africa to becoming part of Orbis’ global investment team, reflecting on early mentors, work ethic, and the lessons learned along the way.Together, th
Diversification vs. “Diworsification”: How Many Stocks Is Enough? — with Damian Bird (Polen Capital, EM Growth)
How far should you diversify before you dilute returns? In this episode, George sits down with Damian Bird, Portfolio Manager for Polen Capital’s Emerging Markets Growth strategy, to challenge conventional wisdom on diversification, active vs. passive in EM, and where the most exciting compounding businesses live today.Damian revisits the classic Evans & Archer (1968) research on portfolio siz
Retirement Planning Today: How to Build Sustainable Income for Life
In this episode of the MoneyWise UK Podcast, host George Ladds is joined by Ceri Hill, Head of Decumulation at Brooks Macdonald, for an in-depth discussion on the changing face of retirement.Retirement has shifted from the world of guaranteed defined benefit pensions to one where individuals must manage defined contribution pots, creating new challenges for both clients and financial planners. Cer
Natural Income: Bonkers or Brilliant? – A Retirement Planning Debate with David Jane
Is natural income outdated, risky… or the missing link in sustainable retirement planning?In this episode of Money Wise UK, George welcomes back David Jane of Premier Miton to revisit one of our most debated topics: natural income. Together, they unpack whether it still has a role in modern portfolios, how it compares to total return strategies, and why client psychology plays such a big part in i
Are Alternatives Undervalued? Investment Trusts, Real Assets & Governance with Pietro Nicholls
George, Money Wise UK, chats with Pietro Nicholls, co-manager of the VT RM Alternative Income Fund, about what “alternatives” really are, liquidity myths, the rate/inflation cycle, and why governance matters in investment trusts. They cover diversification, where real assets fit vs the 60/40, activism vs engagement (incl. Gore Street), and how VT RM balances income with capital preservation.Follow
China: Misunderstood Giant or Future Superpower? – A Deep Dive with Megan Ie (GIB Asset Management)
China is often seen as either an unstoppable superpower or a risky bet – but what’s the real story? In this episode of the Money Wise UK Podcast, George sits down with Megan Ie, Senior Equity Analyst at GIB Asset Management, to unpack the nuances of investing in China. From common prosperity to geopolitical tensions, policy shifts, and overlooked growth opportunities, Megan brings fresh insights i
Rethinking Emerging Markets: Active Engagement & Hidden Potential
In this insightful episode of the Money Wise UK Podcast, George Ladds is joined by Kunal Desai, co-fund manager of the Emerging Markets Active Engagement Strategy at GIB Asset Management. They cut through the noise to discuss why emerging markets deserve more attention in today’s globalportfolios. From political risk to valuation opportunities, from sustainable investing to bespoke engagement stra
Looking Beyond the Headlines: Unpacking the Truth About Sustainable Investing
In this episode of the Money Wise UK Podcast, George is joined by Ben Palmer, Senior Portfolio Manager at LGT and former Head of Responsible Investment at Brooks Macdonald, for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about sustainable investing.From the evolution of ethical investing to today's ESG, impact, and transition strategies, Ben explains the terminology, challenges, and real-world inve
Rethinking Sustainable Fixed Income: A Conversation with Samantha Lamb, GIB Asset Management
Can fixed income be both sustainable and high performing? Or is it just another corner of the market vulnerable to greenwashing? In this eye-opening episode of the Money Wise UK podcast, host George is joined by Samantha Lamb, Head of Fixed Income at GIB Asset Management, to break down what sustainability really means in the world of bonds — and why it’s time to challenge some long-held assumption
Rethinking Retirement with Lawrence Cook, CEO of Mabel Insights
In this insightful episode from Money Wise UK, host George is joined by Lawrence Cook, CEO of Mabel Insights, to unpack how retirement planning is evolving — and why it’s more important (and complex) than ever before.What to Expect:Why the traditional view of retirement is outdatedThe emotional and financial challenges of today’s retirement landscapeThe importance of cashflow modelling (and why ma
Investment Styles, Not Sides: Blending Active and Passive with Keith Balmer
In this episode of the MoneyWise UK & QuantQual Podcast, George sits down with Keith Balmer from Columbia Threadneedle to explore why the debate between active and passive investing might be missing the point.Keith shares his career journey — from hedge funds at Man Group to launching a low-cost multi-asset franchise at Columbia Threadneedle — and explains why it’s not about choosing sides but
From Hargreaves to Consultancy: Ben Yearsley's Journey
In this episode of the Money Wise UK podcast, host George Ladds speaks with Ben Yearsley, a financial expert with a rich history in the industry. They discuss Ben's journey from his early aspirations of becoming a stockbroker to his extensive career at Hargreaves Lansdown and his current role in consultancy and investment. The conversation delves into the importance of asking questions, the balanc
Connecting Community and Nature
In this episode of the Money Wise UK podcast, host George Ladds speaks with Henry Rossiter of Belmont Estate about the estate's commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and the challenges of balancing business with environmental values. Henry shares his journey from a family background in agriculture to leading Belmont's transformation into a venue that connects people with nature. The
From Finance to Founding: Hugo Morrissey on Startups, Setbacks & Success Hosted by George
In this candid episode, George speaks with entrepreneur Hugo Morrissey about his bold leap from a career in finance at Neptune Investment Management to launching Nuisance Drinks in 2020. Hugo opens up about the highs and lows of starting a business during the pandemic, from foraging nettles to hand-labeling 5,500 bottles.The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Hugo shares his struggles wi
Retirement Revisited: Insights from Richard Parkin
In this episode of Money Wise UK Podcast, we welcome back Richard Parkin, Head of Retirement at BNY Investments. Following the October Budget and his latest research with NextWealth on Retirement Advice, Richard shares key insights shaping the future of retirement planning.Key findings from the research include:🔹 47% of advisers feel compliance with the thematic review limits their ability to meet
Thoughtful Investing with Castlefield Investment Partners
Thoughtful Investing with Castlefield Investment PartnersIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the jargon surrounding ESG, sustainable investing, responsible investing, impact investing, and ethical investing, this episode is a must-listen.In this episode of the Money Wise UK Podcast, host George talks with Callum Wells of Castlefield Investment Partners to discuss the complexities of sustainable fin
Castlebay at 10: Quality Value Investing & Independence
In the Money Wise UK Podcast episode, host George speaks with David McNeil of Castlebay as the firm celebrates its 10th anniversary. David shares his journey into investment management, from an early fascination with stockbroking to co-founding Castlebay in 2013. He discusses the firm’s unique approach to quality value investing, maintaining a low turnover strategy (10% annually) and a long-term p
Creating an Impact – The Power of Investment to Drive Change
With poverty and inequality in the UK remaining among the highest in the developed world, impact investing offers a way to address these challenges while delivering financial returns.George and Hermina break down the world of investment trusts, explaining how they work and uncovering the unique opportunities in the social impact sector. They also discuss risk management, investor safeguards, and w
Understanding Factor Investing as Part of a Global Strategy
Join George as he sits down with Andrew Cain of GSI for a deep dive into factor investing and its role in global investment strategies. This episode unpacks key investment concepts, including:✅ How factor investing works and its potential benefits for portfolio diversification and risk management✅ The differences between index investing and active strategies—and whether our approach to them should
A Look at Global Innovation – Active vs. Passive Investing
In this episode, George sits down with Mikhail Zverev and Graeme Bencke of Amati Global Investors for an in-depth discussion on global investing and the role of active management in today’s markets.We explore key themes, including:✅ The complexities of modern financial markets and what they mean for investors✅ The ongoing debate between active vs. passive investing—does active management add value
Entrepreneurial Journey and the Meaning of Success
Join George in this special two-part series, where the focus shifts from investments to real-life businesses. In this episode, George sits down with Brad Askew, founder of Bristol Spring (formerly Spring Incubator), to explore his entrepreneurial journey—from launching an online legal services company to successfully selling it to a multinational legal insurance firm.Key topics include:✅ What happ
Building Success: Insights into Starting and Growing a Financial Planning Business
Join George in this special two-part series, where the focus shifts from investments to real-life businesses. In this episode, George sits down with Sam Gee of Manning Gee Investments to explore the challenges and opportunities of launching and scaling a financial planning firm.Key topics include:✅ Starting a financial planning business – Overcoming early hurdles and finding the right strategy for
The Impact of Confirmation Bias in Investing
Join George as he sits down with Premier Miton's Emma Mogford for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation on key investment themes. In this episode, they explore:✅ How confirmation bias shapes investment decisions – Are we making objective choices or just reinforcing existing beliefs?✅ Income vs. growth investing – The pros, cons, and which strategy suits different market conditions.✅ Act
Navigating Challenges in Fund Management
In this episode, George is joined by Joe Bunting and Christoph Weidebach of Tellsons Investors for an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of fund management. As industry consolidation reshapes the investment world, specialist fund managers must find ways to deliver value and stay competitive.Key topics include:✅ Active vs. passive investing – Which approach is best in today’s market?✅ Va
Natural Income: A Sustainable Retirement Strategy
In this episode, George sits down with David Jane, a leading income manager at Premier Miton, to explore how natural income strategies can support a more sustainable retirement.As retirees seek stable cash flow without depleting their capital, income-generating assets offer an alternative to traditional drawdown approaches. David shares his insights on:✅ How natural income works – The key assets t
Retirement and the FCA Review
In this episode, George sits down with Richard Parkin, Head of Retirement at BNY Mellon, to unpack the FCA’s latest thematic review and its implications for retirement planning.As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, financial planners must evolve their centralised retirement strategies to meet changing expectations. Richard shares expert insights on:✅ Key takeaways from the FCA review – What advisers
