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 conversation explores the importance of community involvement, the need for a reconnection with nature, and the pressing environmental challenges we face today. Henry emphasises the role of biodiversity and sustainable practices in ensuring a better future for both the estate and the planet.

Takeaways

• Belmont Estate focuses on sustainability, community, and education.
• Henry Rossiter's journey began with a childhood interest in agriculture.
• The estate has evolved from a simple venue to a community hub.
• Financial sustainability is crucial for running Belmont Estate.
• Community engagement is key to nature connection and education.
• Nature connection programs have seen significant volunteer involvement.
• Reconnecting with nature can improve mental and physical well-being.
• Environmental challenges require innovative solutions and community action.
• Biodiversity net gain is essential for future developments.
• The future of Belmont Estate aims for growth through partnerships.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Belmont Estate and Its Vision

03:08 Henry Rossiter's Journey to Belmont Estate

05:52 Transforming Belmont: Challenges and Opportunities

09:15 Balancing Business and Environmental Values

12:10 Community Engagement and Volunteering Initiatives

15:15 Reconnecting with Nature: The Importance of Community

20:58 The Impact of Nature on Wellbeing

27:11 Environmental Challenges and Solutions

36:00 Future Aspirations for Belmont Estate

Links:

Belmont Estate

Money Wise UK

The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative - Florence Williams

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📢Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide financial advice. Please consult a financial adviser for personalised guidance. Investments can rise and fall, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Any company mentions are for discussion purposes only and do not constitute recommendations.

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 with mental health while running the business solo—and how therapy and antidepressants helped him find his footing again.

He also reflects on his decision to exit the brand in 2024, touching on sunk cost fallacy and the tough realities of scaling an FMCG startup. Finally, Hugo introduces his new venture, Blackbook Design Collective, a creative agency bridging South African talent with UK clients.

This episode is a powerful story of resilience, reinvention, and redefining what success really means.

Blackbook Design Collective: https://www.blackbookdc.com/

Money Wise UK: https://www.money-wise.uk/

🎧Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes, leave a review, and share your thoughts.

📢 Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide financial advice. Please consult a financial adviser for personalized guidance. Investments can rise and fall, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Any company mentions are for discussion purposes only and do not constitute recommendations.

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 client demand.
🔹 28% of advisers have no plans to adopt a standardized retirement advice model.
🔹 40% of advisers continue using the same portfolios for decumulation as they do for accumulation.

We dive into these findings, discussing the role of annual reviews, industry trends, and what the future holds for retirement advice. Whether you're an adviser or an individual planning your retirement, this episode offers valuable perspectives from both sides of the conversation.

💡 Resources:

• For retirement insights, visit BNY Investments.
• Advisers can explore the Money Wise UK Centralised Retirement Proposition®.
• If you're seeking retirement advice, check out unbiased.co.uk.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes, leave a review, and share your thoughts. Join us on this journey as we navigate the evolving world of retirement planning.

📢 Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide financial advice. Please consult a financial adviser for personalized guidance. Investments can rise and fall, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Any company mentions are for discussion purposes only and do not constitute recommendations.

Thoughtful Investing with Castlefield Investment Partners

If 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 finance.

Key topics include:

• Understanding the differences between ESG, responsible, impact, and ethical investing
• How to navigate the latest FCA sustainable investment labels
• Castlefield’s unique approach to engaged and transparent investing
• The role of regulatory frameworks and governance in sustainable finance
• What thoughtful investing truly means in today’s evolving market

Join us as we explore how investors can align their portfolios with their values while ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

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Share with friends, colleagues, and fellow investors who care about sustainable finance.

Listen now on Spotify and be part of the conversation on thoughtful investing!

Please note: This podcast does not provide financial advice. If you have any questions, we recommend speaking to a financial adviser. Past performance does not guide future returns; investments can fall and rise. Any mention of a company is not a recommendation.

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 perspective.

The conversation explores the challenges of running an independent investment firm, including regulation, technology adoption, and industry consolidation. David highlights Castlebay’s commitment to transparency, independence, and building long-term relationships with investors, contrasting trends in larger asset management firms.

Please tune in for insights into Castlebay’s investment philosophy, approach to ESG integration, and vision for the future.

Visit my website money-wise.uk for more details, and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share to help spread the message!

Please note: This podcast does not provide financial advice. If you have any questions, we recommend speaking to a financial adviser. Past performance does not guide future returns, and investments can fall and rise. Any mention of a company is not a recommendation.

Castlebay Website

Other websites:

Monday.com

saturnAI

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 what sets the Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust apart from others in the ESG space.

This conversation features real-world case studies of how the trust has created a measurable social impact, the transparency provided through impact reporting, and what the FCA sustainability label means for investors. We also look at the additional oversight required to ensure authenticity in ESG investing.

This is a must-listen episode if you’re interested in sustainable investing, ESG principles, or understanding how investment trusts work.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to stay updated on the latest in financial markets, investment opportunities, and sustainable finance.

📌 Visit my website money-wise.uk for more insights on investing, and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share to help spread the message!

Please note: This podcast does not provide financial advice. If you have any questions, we recommend speaking to a financial adviser. Past performance does not guide future returns, and investments can fall and rise. Any mention of a company is not a recommendation.

Investment Trust Discounts:

Winterfloods research: The current investment trust sector discount is 14.5%, compared to an investment trust sector 30-year average discount of 8.8%. This highlights the potential for a reversion to mean over time or potentially greater upside should the sector revert to trading close to NAV, as has been much of the case in recent years (this was data as of December, and discounts have widened a bit further since).

AIC statement: ‘Investment trusts have now traded at double-digit discounts for the longest sustained period on record’.

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 evolve
✅ The FCA’s sustainable investment labels and their impact on fund selection
✅ The intersection of factor investing and ESG, exploring engagement strategies and what sustainability means for investors

With global markets shifting, understanding how to optimize investment strategies using factors like value, momentum, and quality is more important than ever. Whether you’re interested in factor investing, sustainable finance, or new approaches to asset allocation, this is a must-listen episode.

🎧 Listen now and stay ahead in investments, financial markets, and sustainable investing.

📌 Visit my website money-wise.uk for more insights, and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share to help spread the message!

Please note: This podcast does not provide financial advice. We recommend speaking to a financial adviser if you have any questions. Past performance does not guide future returns, and investments can fall and rise. Any mention of a company is not a recommendation. For more details on GSI, visit gsillp.com.

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?
✅ The risks of avoiding the "Magnificent Seven" and the challenges of holding large, index-heavy stocks
✅ The differences between working at a major investment house vs. a specialist fund manager

For investors looking at opportunities beyond the index, this episode provides valuable insights into how active management can work as a standalone strategy or complement passive investing.

🎧 Listen now to stay ahead in global markets, investment trends, and portfolio management strategies.

📌 Visit my website money-wise.uk for more insights, and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share to help spread the message!

Please note: This podcast does not provide financial advice. We recommend speaking to a financial adviser if you have any questions. Past performance does not guide future returns, and investments can fall and rise. Any mention of a company is not a recommendation. For more details on Amati, visit amatiglobal.com.