A Day In The Life: Benjamin Beck

Independent Financial Adviser, Benjamin Beck Adviser With Julian Harris Adviser Network Limited – South London

I'm originally from Norway and served 7 years in the British Army before retraining to be a Financial Adviser, I remain active as an Army Reservist.

I'm the founder of an independent financial planning firm based in South London. I'm passionate about helping professionals, families, business owners and retirees make confident financial decisions and create brighter financial futures through clear, personalised advice.

How does your day usually begin?

I try to get up early, usually around 6am, to get to the gym before the day begins. I've always enjoyed fitness and started training when I was 14, having to get special permission to join a gym while growing up in Norway.

After the gym, it's coffee and a review of my diary, emails and client priorities for the day.

As a founder, no two days are ever quite the same. One morning might involve preparing for client meetings or reviewing financial plans, while another could be spent creating content, meeting professional connections such as accountants and solicitors, or working on business development.

I try to tackle the most important tasks early, before the distractions of the day take over.

What does a typical morning look like?

My best work and thinking time happens in the morning, before any reactive work comes in. As I'm building a business from the ground up, most mornings start from my home office, where I focus on the tasks that will move the business forward.

Mornings are often filled with networking calls, meetings with professional connections and business development activities. I try to reserve afternoons and evenings for client meetings, allowing me to dedicate that time to providing advice and supporting clients.

While financial planning is my core focus, no two mornings are ever quite the same. One day I might be reviewing financial plans and preparing recommendations, while the next could involve creating content, meeting accountants and solicitors, or exploring new opportunities to grow the business.

What usually fills the middle of your day?

The middle of my day is usually client-focused. This can involve face-to-face or virtual meetings, researching solutions, preparing recommendations, reviewing investment portfolios, discussing retirement plans, or helping clients navigate major life events.

One of the things I enjoy most about being a financial planner is that no two clients are the same. Every conversation is different, whether someone is building wealth, approaching retirement, planning for their family's future or dealing with a significant life change.

I also spend time collaborating with other professionals, including accountants, solicitors and estate planning specialists, to ensure clients receive joined-up advice and support across all aspects of their financial lives.

What are you working on at the moment?

At the moment, I'm focused on several exciting projects alongside growing the business.

One of these is an upcoming online presentation covering the pension changes due to take effect in April 2027. The event is designed to help individuals understand what the changes mean, the potential impact on their financial plans, and the steps they may wish to consider.

I'm also launching a YouTube channel aimed at educating the next generation of financial advisers. Having built my own business from scratch, I want to share an honest view of the profession, covering everything from qualifications and training through to the different career paths available, whether that's joining an established firm, working within a network, or building your own advice business.

More broadly, I'm continually looking for ways to make financial advice and the profession itself more accessible, transparent and easier to understand.

How do you switch off?

Switching off has never been my strongest skill because I genuinely enjoy what I do. Outside of work, I spend time with family and friends, keep active through the Army Reserve, and enjoy exploring London and discovering new places to work, meet people and network.

I also enjoy creating content and have recently been considering getting back into DJing, something I was passionate about in my teenage years. Growing up in Norway, I was DJing in local clubs from the age of 15 and have some great memories from that period of my life.

While my business keeps me busy, I believe it's important to have interests outside of work and make time for the people who matter most.

What are you working towards?

Professionally, I'm working towards building one of the most trusted independent financial planning firms in South London. My goal isn't growth for growth's sake, but creating a business that genuinely improves people's lives by helping them make better financial decisions and giving them confidence about their future.

Having started the business from scratch, I'm passionate about building a business centred around long-term relationships, excellent client service and advice that makes a real difference.

Personally, I'm focused on continuous development, both professionally and personally. Whether that's gaining new knowledge, growing the business, serving in the Army Reserve or taking on new challenges, I believe there's always room to improve and learn.

Three Quick Questions

A lesson I learned the hard way

Early in my career, I spent a huge amount of time trying to impress people with technical expertise, qualifications and polished presentations. While those things are important, I've learned that people ultimately work with those they know, trust and connect with.

Looking back, some of the biggest opportunities in my career have come from building genuine relationships and consistently following up, rather than trying to deliver the perfect pitch. Strong relationships open far more doors than the perfect slide deck ever will.

The best decision I ever made

Starting my own business.

Leaving the security of employment to build a business from scratch was one of the biggest risks I've taken, but also one of the most rewarding. It has given me the freedom to create a business that reflects my values and the way I believe financial advice should be delivered.

What I’m still curious about

Human behaviour.

Financial planning isn't really about money; it's about people. I'm fascinated by why people make certain financial decisions, what motivates them to take action, and how small behavioural changes can lead to dramatically different outcomes over time. Understanding people better helps me become a better adviser and ultimately provide greater value to my clients.