The Trusted Adviser

Profitability, Pricing & Capacity: Data-Driven Insights with Rob Jones of Peloton Partners

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser podcast, Rob Pyne speaks with Rob Jones, co-founder of Peloton Partners and a leading authority on pricing and profitability in financial advice. Rob shares why many firms leave money on the table, the limitations of traditional benchmarking surveys, and what his unique data reveals about capacity, adviser pay, and the real drivers of profitability.
If you want to understand how to price advice fairly and build a more sustainable, profitable business, this conversation is packed with practical insights.

Strategic Scaling Up: How Calder Wealth Joined Forces with Coastal Advice

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Ben Calder, Managing Director of Calder Wealth Management, about the recent merger with Coastal Advice Group. Ben shares the backstory of how years of collaboration and cultural alignment with Dan Brown led to one of Australia’s fastest-growing financial advice businesses. They discuss the role Merchant Investment Management played in bringing the deal to life, the challenges of integration, and the opportunities the merger creates for clients, staff, and the future of the business

What If Your CRM Could Think? Glenn Elliott on AI in Financial Advice

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Glenn Elliott, co-founder of Practifi and founder of Meldus, about how AI and automation are reshaping the advice profession. Glenn shares insights from his journey building Practifi, the importance of open platforms and APIs, and the practical ways agentic AI is already transforming CRM data, compliance, and client engagement. A must-listen for advice firms wanting to future-proof their technology and unlock new levels of productivity.

The Rise of Digital Staff: Nick Perrett on AI Workflow Automation at Yarra Lane

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne sits down with Nick Perrett, CEO at Yarra Lane Group, to explore how his firm is leveraging AI agents and robotic process automation (RPA) to transform operations across financial planning, tax, and professional services. Nick shares how bots like “Henry” and “Grace” are automating everything from review prep to data entry, running 24/7 inside their Microsoft environment and freeing up valuable human time.
They dig into the real numbers, implementation process, cultural impacts, and what this all means for the future of advice delivery. Whether you’re curious about getting started or wondering how far automation can go in a professional advice firm, this is a must-listen episode.

Future-Ready Advice: Talent and Scale with Apt Wealth’s Andrew Dunbar & Abbie Gellatly

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Andrew Dunbar and Abbie Gellatly from Apt Wealth Partners—an award-winning advice firm known for its strong culture and focus on talent development. They unpack how Apt is preparing for the future of financial advice through structured graduate pathways, transparent career progression, leadership development, employee ownership, and a flexible benefits program that drives engagement and retention. If you’re looking to build a future-ready advice business, this conversation is full of practical takeaways.

Philip Palaveev on G2 Leadership and the Future of Advisory Firms

What does it take to grow a financial planning firm beyond the founder? In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Philip Palaveev, CEO of The Ensemble Practice, about what it really means to lead a team-based advice business.
Philip unpacks why leadership is more burden than privilege, how to shift from founder-led to team-driven models, and what it takes to embed vision and trust into culture.
👉 Listen as Philip shares:
Why the best leaders stop seeking personal validation and start coaching others
How to make the leap from individual to team performance
The difference between ownership, leadership and management — and why titles don’t define influence
This conversation is a masterclass in next-generation leadership, succession planning, and building a firm that outlasts any one person.

Growing Stronger Advice Practices with Terri Reid of Traxiom

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Terri Reid—business coach, consultant, and former financial planner—about the human side of leadership in advice firms. They explore the tensions advice principals face as they grow their businesses, from stepping back as the chief problem solver to building strong team cultures. Terri shares practical tools for empowering staff, improving communication, and reframing leadership at all levels. A valuable conversation for any advice leader wanting to build a business that performs well and feels good to be part of.

Rethinking the Backbone of Advice: Stephen Bell on Process-Driven Technology

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne speaks with Stephen Bell — former adviser, Enzumo founder, and now the driving force behind Captegra and Hivrs. They explore how financial advice firms can shift from clunky tech stacks to streamlined process-driven systems, the power of Salesforce as a source of truth, and the realistic role of AI in advice delivery. Stephen shares his vision for real-time, electronic SOA generation and how automation can free up advisers to do more of what matters — all while staying compliant. A must-listen for any firm ready to modernise their workflows.

Advocacy, Reform & the Future of Advice – with David Sharpe of Globe Financial Planning

In this episode, Rob Pyne is joined by David Sharpe, Chair of the Financial Advice Association of Australia and Principal of Globe Financial Planning.
David shares his personal journey into financial advice and offers a front-row view of the critical reform efforts shaping the profession today.
From CSLR and DBFO to education pathways and red tape reduction, this is a candid and insightful conversation about professional leadership, policy advocacy, and the future of accessible, high-quality financial advice in Australia.

Future-Proofing Advice Firms – Neil Kendall of Tupicoffs on AI, Cyber Security & Client Portals

In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne sits down with Neil Kendall, Managing Director of Tupicoffs and former Chair of the FAAA, to explore how forward-thinking advice firms can leverage technology to lift compliance, protect client data, and deliver a better client experience. Neil shares how his firm uses AI-powered tools like Theta Lake for full-spectrum compliance monitoring, MyProsperity for secure data aggregation, and Salesforce FSC to maintain live, daily balance sheets for every client. From reducing PI premiums to automating training insights and boosting cyber resilience, Neil’s approach is a blueprint for modernising financial advice.