Future Fit Financial Planning: In Conversation with Ann-Marie Atkins

Excellence, Not Perfection with Ann-Marie Atkins In this special 50th episode of BWD In The Know, James is joined by Ann-Marie Atkins, Head of Entrepreneurs at Evelyn Partners, for a conversation about what really sits behind long-term success in financial planning. Known as one of the UK's leading advisers in the entrepreneur and business owner space, Ann-Marie reflects on the experiences, values and lessons that have shaped her career. In this episode, they discuss:Ann-Marie's journey into financial services and the challenges she faced early in her careerConfidence, emotional intelligence and communication in adviceWhy excellence matters more than perfectionBuilding trust with clients and professional introducersCollaboration in delivering better outcomesLeadership, mentoring and high-performing teamsAI, technology and the future of adviceThe growing importance of holistic financial planningThis episode is a reminder that the best advisers don't simply provide advice — they bring people, expertise and ideas together to help clients make better decisions. If you're a financial planner, adviser or leader looking to build trust, improve your impact and future-proof your career, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:28 Ann-Marie's Journey Into Financial Services01:23 Building Confidence & Finding Your Voice03:29 Fairness, Honesty & Authenticity04:39 Learning Through Mistakes & Self-Reflection05:42 Overcoming Fear & High-Stakes Situations06:42 Understanding Your Core Values08:36 Childhood Influences, Ambition & Competitiveness09:16 Sport, Teamwork & Resilience09:59 Being Taken Seriously in Financial Services11:24 Mentors, Role Models & Career Development13:19 Early Leadership Lessons14:33 Managing Mistakes & High Standards16:54 Why Collaboration Matters17:42 Delivering Better Outcomes for Complex Clients21:29 The Problem with Siloed Advice24:28 The Risks of Disconnected Planning27:11 Building Trust Over Time28:44 Creating High-Performing Teams30:28 A Client-First Culture31:35 Excellence, Not Perfection35:52 AI, Technology & The Future of Advice44:17 The Future of Collaborative Advice50:53 Authenticity as a Competitive Advantage66:14 Closing Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.