In this episode of The Problem With, hosts Alex and Annabel dive deep into the overlooked and often misunderstood world of paraplanner career progression in financial services. Drawing from their own journeys—from administrator to paraplanner to compliance professional—they unpack why so many firms still lack structured career paths, especially for those who don’t want to become advisers.

They explore the real challenges paraplanners face, including limited opportunities, the stigma of “just” being a paraplanner, and the outdated hierarchy of admin-paraplanner-adviser. Along the way, they share practical tips for paraplanners to advocate for their own development, whether that means advancing their technical skills, shifting into compliance, or simply staying in a role they love—without feeling pressure to move into client-facing positions.

Whether you're a paraplanner, administrator, adviser, or firm owner, this honest conversation is packed with insights to help you rethink career progression, support your team, and build a more inclusive and empowering workplace culture.

In this episode of The Problem With, hosts Alex and Annabel dive into one of the industry's most debated topics: the role of networks in financial services.

They're joined by Paul Day, founder of Network Consulting Services Ltd, who brings over 30 years of industry experience as an advisor and network strategist. Paul shares his insights into why many advisers choose networks over direct authorisation, what traps to watch for in contracts, and how to know if you’re truly ready to go DA.

Together, they unpack the realities of compliance, the importance of business planning, and how networks can either empower or constrain growth. If you’re an adviser contemplating your next step—or simply curious about the inner workings of the financial advice ecosystem—this candid conversation is essential listening.

Whether you’re AR, DA, this episode will help you see the landscape more clearly.

In this episode of The Problem With, Alex and Annabel are joined by Nicky from Woven Advice to unpack one of the financial advice industry’s most overlooked areas: platform switching.

With Consumer Duty placing increasing pressure on advisers to demonstrate value, platform costs and client outcomes are more important than ever. But is switching worth the effort? And how do you even begin to assess that?

Together, they dives into:

• The role of data in identifying cost-effective platforms
• How new tech tools are transforming the efficiency of reviews
• What platform switching really means for client service and trust
• Why staying truly independent means re-evaluating old habits

Whether you're an adviser stuck with a legacy platform or simply looking to enhance client outcomes, this episode will challenge your assumptions and offer practical insights into how small changes can make a big difference.

Listen now and discover why platform switching isn’t just admin—it’s advice.