Mental health isn't something we leave at the door when we arrive at work.

In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Tracy Bevan from Healthy Minds Matter CIC for an open and thought-provoking conversation about mental health, pressure, resilience and the role employers can play in supporting their people.

We explore the pressures people face both inside and outside the workplace, and how those pressures can ultimately affect wellbeing, relationships and our ability to perform at our best.

We also reflect on Covid and the lasting impact it had on the way we live and work. Did it make us more willing to talk about mental health? Has the workplace changed permanently? And are employers now better equipped to recognise when someone might be struggling?

Tracy shares more about the work of Healthy Minds Matter CIC, which works with employers to reduce sickness absence, improve staff retention and build stronger, more resilient teams through resilience training, return-to-work support and tailored wellbeing coaching.

Importantly, as a Community Interest Company, their work goes further.

With support from businesses and grant-funding organisations including The National Lottery and The Bluecoat Charity, Healthy Minds Matter is able to extend support to people and groups who might otherwise struggle to access it.

We discuss:

🧠 Mental health and the pressures of modern life
💼 Mental health and wellbeing in the workplace
👥 What employers can do to genuinely support their people
🏠 How Covid changed our relationship with work and mental health
🤝 Supporting employees returning to work
💪 Building resilience within individuals and teams
📉 The connection between wellbeing, sickness absence and staff retention
❤️ Why Healthy Minds Matter operates as a CIC and the communities it supports
🌱 Creating workplaces where people can thrive, not simply cope

We also talk about how businesses and individuals can support the work Healthy Minds Matter is doing.

Healthy Minds Matter CIC is holding a fundraiser on 19 September at Sage Restaurant, The Wyldewoods, Boughton. If you'd like to attend, support the event or donate a raffle prize, please get in touch with the team.

🌐 Find out more about Healthy Minds Matter and their work:
https://healthymindsmatter.co.uk/

Mental health can sometimes be a difficult subject to talk about, but that's precisely why conversations like this matter.

Whether you're a business owner, manager, employee or simply someone juggling the pressures that life occasionally throws at us, there's plenty to take away from this episode.

🎙️ The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with business owners, leaders and people making a difference in their communities.

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What does it take to build one of the UK's fastest-growing fintech businesses without compromising on service or culture?

In this extended episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Ola Abdul, Founder and CEO of Fundment, for a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership in the financial services industry.

Ola shares his journey from spotting an opportunity in the adviser platform market to creating Fundment—a technology business designed to make life easier for financial advisers while delivering an exceptional experience for their clients.

We explore why Fundment was founded, how the industry has evolved over recent years, and what the future of financial advice might look like as technology and Artificial Intelligence continue to reshape the profession.

One of the standout themes of our conversation is culture. As Fundment has grown rapidly, Ola explains why protecting the company's values has been just as important as scaling the business itself. We discuss the importance of hiring the right people, building high-performing teams and ensuring growth never comes at the expense of the customer experience.

This isn't just a conversation about fintech—it's about building a business with purpose, leading through change and creating an environment where great people can do their best work.

Whether you're in financial services, leading a growing business, or simply interested in entrepreneurship and innovation, this extended episode is packed with valuable insights.

In this episode:

🚀 The story behind Fundment
💡 Why Ola founded the business
📈 Scaling a high-growth fintech company
🤝 Maintaining exceptional service while growing rapidly
🌱 Why culture is a business's greatest asset
👥 Hiring, developing and retaining the right people
🤖 The future of financial services and the impact of AI
🎯 Leadership lessons from a dynamic CEO

This is one of our longer conversations—but every minute is filled with thoughtful discussion, practical insights and honest reflections from a founder who is helping shape the future of financial advice.

The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators, exploring the ideas and people shaping the future. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️🚀

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How do we prepare children for jobs that don't even exist yet?

In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Hayley Laidlaw-Wilson, co-founder of Sniff and Snails, a business on a mission to inspire the next generation of innovators, creators and problem-solvers.

Together with her brother, Hayley has developed hands-on kits, educational resources and engaging content that help children build essential STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) skills while challenging outdated stereotypes about who technology is for.

In a world where technology is evolving at an incredible pace, creativity, curiosity and critical thinking have never been more important. We discuss why these skills matter, how parents and educators can encourage them, and why inspiring young people to think differently could shape the future of our workforce.

Hayley also shares the story behind Sniff and Snails—from the original idea and the challenges of launching a business, to growing a brand with a clear social purpose. We talk openly about entrepreneurship, resilience and the realities of building a business that's making a genuine difference.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, business owner or simply passionate about education and innovation, this episode is full of thought-provoking ideas and practical inspiration.

In this episode:

🚀 The story behind Sniff and Snails
🧠 Why STEAM skills are more important than ever
💡 Encouraging creativity and problem-solving in children
💻 Breaking down stereotypes around technology and engineering
👩‍💼 Building a purpose-driven business with family
📈 The challenges of launching and growing a business
🌍 Preparing young people for the careers of tomorrow
✨ Hayley's vision for the future of Sniff and Snails

This conversation is about much more than education. It's about giving the next generation the confidence, curiosity and skills they'll need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with inspiring people, exploring business, leadership, innovation and the ideas shaping tomorrow. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️🚀🧩

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What does it take to grow a professional services business from the ground up to a team of more than 50 people?

In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Glyn Jelley, Founder and Managing Director of Summit Chartered Accountants, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership and building one of the region's leading accountancy firms.

Glyn shares the story of his career, what inspired him to establish Summit, and the challenges that come with growing a business while maintaining the culture and values that made it successful in the first place.

As the business has expanded, so too have the responsibilities. We discuss what it's really like leading a growing team, the importance of developing people, and how the role of a business owner changes as your organisation evolves.

No conversation about professional services would be complete without discussing Artificial Intelligence. We explore how AI is beginning to reshape the accountancy profession, the opportunities it presents for firms and clients alike, and why human relationships, judgement and trusted advice will continue to play a vital role.

We also tackle one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today: recruitment. From attracting talented people to retaining them in an increasingly competitive market, Glyn shares his thoughts on what firms need to do to build teams that thrive.

Whether you're an accountant, business owner, entrepreneur or leader, this episode is packed with practical insights from someone who has successfully built and scaled a modern professional services business.

In this episode:

📈 Growing Summit Chartered Accountants to more than 50 staff
🚀 Glyn's journey from accountant to business owner
👥 Leading and developing a growing team
🎯 How leadership changes as your business grows
🤖 The impact AI is having on the accountancy profession
💼 Recruitment, retention and attracting great people
📊 The future of professional services
💡 Lessons learned from building a successful business

This is much more than a conversation about accountancy. It's about leadership, resilience, growth and the realities of building a business that stands the test of time.

The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals, sharing the stories, lessons and ideas behind lasting success. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️📈

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What does it take to leave the security of employment and build a law firm from the ground up?

In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Emily Littlehales, founder of Celtic Law, an award-winning specialist law firm providing expert advice in Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Trusts.

Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, Emily made the bold decision to focus on a specific area of law, choosing not to offer services such as conveyancing or litigation. We discuss why specialising has been central to Celtic Law's growth, how it allows the team to deliver exceptional client care, and why saying no can often be one of the best business decisions you make.

Emily also shares her personal journey—from knowing at a young age that she wanted to become a lawyer, through qualifying, to taking the leap and launching her own business. We explore the challenges of entrepreneurship, building a strong team and creating a culture centred around expertise and client service.

With an all-female team of three, Emily has built a firm with a clear purpose and vision, proving that success doesn't always come from offering the widest range of services—but from becoming exceptional at what you do.

We also discuss one of the biggest talking points facing the legal profession today: Artificial Intelligence. How will AI change legal services? What opportunities does it create? And where will human expertise, empathy and judgement always remain irreplaceable?

Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, legal professional or someone interested in protecting your family's future, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

In this episode:

⚖️ Why Emily chose to specialise in private client law
🚀 The journey to founding Celtic Law
🎯 The benefits of niching your business
👩‍💼 Building an all-female legal team
💡 Lessons learned from starting a law firm
🤖 How AI could transform the legal profession
📈 Growing a business with purpose and focus
❤️ Why people will always matter in professional services

If you've ever considered starting your own business, wondered whether specialising is the right strategy, or are curious about the future of the legal profession, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with inspiring people, exploring business, leadership, entrepreneurship and the stories behind success. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️⚖️🚀

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What is Public Relations... and why does every business need to understand it?

In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Anthony Bullick, Managing Director of the award-winning Outwrite PR, to demystify the world of public relations and explain why it's about far more than simply getting your name in the newspaper.

We explore the role PR plays in building trust, protecting reputations and helping businesses communicate effectively with clients, the media and the wider public. Anthony shares practical advice on when businesses should start thinking about PR, how it complements marketing, and why good communication can often be the difference between thriving and simply surviving.

We also tackle one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today—online reputation. From Google reviews and customer feedback to fake reviews and the influence of television programmes like Four in a Bed, we discuss how public perception can change overnight and what businesses should (and shouldn't) do when faced with criticism online.

Finally, we look to the future as we discuss the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence. How is AI changing the PR industry? What opportunities does it create? And where will human creativity and authentic storytelling always remain essential?

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, marketer or simply interested in how brands build trust, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world examples.

In this episode:

📰 What PR actually is—and what it isn't
📣 The difference between PR and marketing
🏢 When businesses should invest in PR
⭐ Managing your reputation in a digital world
💬 Responding to reviews—good, bad and fake
📺 The impact of programmes like Four in a Bed on public perception
🤖 How AI is changing communications and public relations
🚀 Building trust through authentic storytelling

Your reputation is one of your most valuable business assets. This conversation explores how to build it, protect it, and communicate with confidence in an increasingly digital world.

The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with remarkable people, sharing practical insights into business, leadership, communication and success. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️📢

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Is great customer service enough anymore?

In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Rhian Anstey, Region Director at Insight6, to explore one of the biggest differentiators for any successful business: customer experience.

Too often, businesses focus solely on customer service, but as Rhian explains, true customer experience goes much further. It's every interaction, every touchpoint, every emotion and every impression a client has from the moment they first discover your business through to becoming a loyal advocate.

We discuss why so many businesses, particularly within professional services are unintentionally creating friction in their client journeys, where firms commonly fall short, and the practical steps they can take to deliver experiences that genuinely stand out.

As a business that regularly measures our own client experience, I found this conversation particularly insightful. It's a reminder that exceptional client experiences don't happen by accident, they're carefully designed, measured and continually improved.

We also look ahead to the Insight6 Customer Experience Awards, celebrating organisations across North Wales, Chester and the Wirral that are raising the bar and putting their customers at the heart of everything they do.

Whether you're a business owner, director, manager or simply passionate about delivering outstanding service, this episode is packed with ideas you can apply immediately.

In this episode:

⭐ Why customer experience is far more than customer service
🗺️ Understanding the complete client journey
📉 The biggest mistakes businesses are making
🏢 Why professional services often overlook the experience they deliver
📊 Measuring what your customers really think
💬 Turning feedback into meaningful improvements
🏆 The Insight6 Customer Experience Awards and why businesses should enter
🚀 Practical ways to stand out from your competitors

If you're serious about building a business that people genuinely enjoy working with and one that earns loyalty through exceptional experiences, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with inspiring people, sharing ideas that help businesses, leaders and professionals thrive. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️✨

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How do you take an idea that's been years in the making and finally bring it to the screen?

In this episode of The Bearded IFA Diaries, I'm joined by Michael Roberts, actor, filmmaker and founder of Take The Cask Productions, to discuss the exciting journey behind Morbid—a comedy sitcom centred around the day-to-day lives of a funeral directors.

With the second pilot episode now released, Michael shares the inspiration behind the series, where the original idea came from, and why a funeral parlour proved to be the perfect setting for comedy. We explore the creative process, the challenges of independent filmmaking, and the determination needed to turn an ambitious concept into reality.

Michael also talks about balancing acting, directing and producing, working with talented casts and crews, and why perseverance is one of the most important qualities for anyone working in the creative industries.

Whether you're interested in filmmaking, comedy, entrepreneurship or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind creative projects, this episode offers a fascinating insight into what it takes to bring an original television series to life.

In this episode:

🎬 The story behind Morbid
⚰️ Why a funeral directors became the setting for a sitcom
💡 Where the inspiration came from
🎭 Acting, directing and producing independent films
🎥 The challenges of creating a pilot episode
🚀 Why persistence is essential in the creative industries
🎞️ What's next for Morbid and Take The Cask Productions

If you've ever wondered how a television series gets off the ground—or how years of ideas eventually become reality—this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎥 Watch the Morbid Pilot Episode 2 here:
https://youtu.be/h7ZY13mkwww?is=oSDS4nCnRGOsAzUl

The Bearded IFA Diaries — real conversations with remarkable people, uncovering the stories behind business, creativity, leadership and success. 🎙️🧔🏻‍♂️🎬

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