Has sustainable investing become a dirty word? | Gavin Francis on what advisers should be asking clients

Has sustainable investing become a dirty word? | Gavin Francis on what advisers should be asking clients

Sustainable investing has become one of the most talked-about areas in financial advice, but also one of the most misunderstood.  In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena is joined by Gavin Francis, founder of Worthstone, to cut through the noise around sustainable investing and explore what it really means in 2026.  They discuss why sustainability can still feel cliquey, overly technical or politically charged, and why advisers may be missing important client conversations by avoiding the topic altogether.  Gavin shares why sustainable investing is not about being perfect, why it does not need to be an all-or-nothing decision, and how advisers can approach the conversation in a more practical and relevant way.  The conversation also explores performance concerns, investment cycles, client preferences, the great wealth transfer, and why sustainability should be seen as a lens across investment decisions rather than a separate niche.  In this episode:  👉 What sustainable investing really means in 2026  👉 Why sustainability can still feel like a “dirty word”  👉 How advisers can approach client conversations with more confidence  👉 Why performance and cost concerns may be more nuanced than they first appear  👉 How younger generations are shaping client expectations  👉 Why sustainable investing does not have to be all or nothing  👉 How everyday examples, from coffee to chocolate, can make the conversation more relevant

Is emotional intelligence the real differentiator in financial advice?

What makes a great financial adviser? For years, the focus has been on technical expertise. But as the industry evolves, that may no longer be enough on its own. In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena is joined by Emma Boardwell, founder of Emotional Finance, to explore how emotional intelligence, trust and human connection are becoming the true differentiators in financial advice. Drawing on her background as a psychotherapist, Emma shares why the profession often overlooks relational skills, how this impacts client outcomes, and what advisers can do to build stronger, more effective relationships. They unpack her framework built around trust, connection and collaboration, and discuss how advisers can move away from interrogation-style conversations towards something far more client-led. The conversation also explores the risks of becoming either too technical or too therapeutic, and how finding the right balance is key to delivering real value. In this episode: * Why technical expertise alone is no longer enough * How to build trust intentionally rather than assuming it * The difference between knowing a client and making them feel known * Why many advisers struggle with emotional conversations * How to balance professionalism without becoming a therapist * What emotional intelligence looks like in practice

AI in financial advice | why it won’t drive growth on its own

AI is rapidly becoming part of the conversation across financial advice but turning it into something that genuinely supports growth is another challenge entirely.  In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena sits down with Gary Abela to explore how firms should be thinking about AI in a more practical and strategic way.  Drawing on his experience across both financial services and technology, Gary shares why AI should not be treated as a standalone solution, where firms are going wrong, and what a more effective approach looks like.  They also explore how stepping outside the industry shaped Gary’s perspective, and whether the current pace of AI adoption could be leading towards a bubble.  In this episode:  * Why AI should support strategy, not replace it  * Where firms are falling short with AI adoption  * The link between AI, efficiency and growth  * How different experiences shape better decision making  * Whether the industry is heading towards an AI bubble

Seb Balrow on Becoming a Financial Adviser at 23 and Building a Self-Employed Practice

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Helena is joined by Seb Balrow, who shares how he went from cold calling straight out of university to becoming a self-employed financial adviser at just 23.  Seb talks about resilience, rejection and deliberately putting himself in uncomfortable situations to accelerate his growth. He reflects on qualifying while working full time, managing imposter syndrome in early client meetings and adjusting to a more complex proposition after joining Foster Denovo.  He also opens up about the influence of his grandfather, whose work ethic shaped his mindset around ambition and responsibility.  🎧 In this episode:  • From university to cold calling 100 people a day   • Qualifying within eight months while working full time  • Advising clients at 23 and overcoming imposter syndrome  • Why he chose Foster Denovo and what he looked for in a firm   • Adjusting to high net worth clients and a new proposition   • Advice for young people considering financial planning

Daniella Humble on Building a People First Culture and Scaling Growth the Right Way

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, Patrick Horwood is joined by Daniella Humble, our People and Culture Manager.  From starting her career at the Wimbledon Championships to leading People and Culture during a period of rapid growth and acquisitions, Daniella shares how Foster Denovo has built a culture that puts people at the centre of everything.  She talks about rebranding HR to People and Culture, achieving Investors in People Platinum status, embedding a six-pillar strategy and ensuring culture remains strong as the business scales.  🎧 In this episode:  • How Daniella moved from Wimbledon into HR  • Why she fell into HR and why she stayed  • The evolution from HR to People and Culture   • Leading through Covid and rapid legislative change  • Supporting acquisitions and cultural integration   • Achieving Investors in People Platinum   • The six pillar People and Culture strategy   • How Foster Denovo develops and retains talent  • Why culture must evolve as businesses grow