Wealth DFM Talk

The UK investment management industry is booming - and the numbers prove it. According to the latest figures from the Investment Association (IA), total assets under management hit a record-breaking £10 trillion in 2024, marking a 10% year-on-year increase.
It’s a remarkable milestone that reflects a year of strong market performance, growing overseas interest, and a surge in retail investor participation. For the first time, overseas clients now account for more than half of UK-managed assets, while retail investors have overtaken pensions as the largest single client group.
In this latest episode of the WealthDFM Podcast, hosts Sue Whitbread and Matt Williams are joined by Miranda Seath, Director of Market Insight and Fund Sectors at the Investment Association, to assess what’s behind these record-breaking figures and what they mean for wealth managers, advisers, and the wider investment community.
Together, they discuss:
What’s driving the UK investment management sector’s 10% AUM growth
Why overseas investors are increasingly choosing UK firms to manage their assets
How retail investors are reshaping the market and what this means for future product and advice trends
As Miranda explains, these shifts reveal both opportunities and challenges for the UK as a global centre of investment excellence and for advisers helping clients navigate an evolving marketplace.

In this month’s episode of Wealth DFM Talk, Sue and Matt are joined by Jo Rands, Portfolio Manager with the Franklin Templeton UK Equity team, to explore why now could be the moment for wealth managers to take a fresh look at UK equities. 
Jo shares why she believes there’s a compelling case for increased allocations towards UK large-caps over the next two to five years. Despite persistently low valuations since Brexit, momentum is finally building in the UK equity market. 
With the FTSE 100 up by around 10% so far this year, rate cuts from the Bank of England, and renewed investor interest, could the UK be an overlooked opportunity that’s ready to deliver? 
 In the conversation, Sue and Matt ask Jo about: 
Why the UK market may be far more exciting than many assume 
How income investing and total return strategies work hand in hand 
The growing role of share buybacks in boosting overall returns 
Key sectors – including tobacco, utilities and banks – where she sees attractive valuations and income opportunities today 
Jo argues that the UK equity story is far from boring. In fact, she sees it as a true British underdog, with yield providing a distinct advantage not always replicated overseas, as well as attractive valuations and discounts. 
Listen now to hear why UK equities could be one of the most compelling opportunities for investors in the years ahead. 
 

Now live: Latest episode of the Wealth DFM Talk podcast explores relatively untapped opportunities across Asian and emerging market equities.
In this episode, hosts Sue Whitbread and Matt Williams are joined by Gabriel Sacks, Investment Director on the Global Emerging Markets Equities team at Aberdeen and Co-Manager of abrdn Asia Focus plc.
Gabriel shares his insights into where the real, and often overlooked, value lies in Asian markets. From small-cap stocks to companies flying under the radar of mainstream analysts, Gabriel explains why these “hidden gems” may hold untapped potential for long-term investors, and how a closed-ended structure can bring benefits.
 Highlights from this month’s episode:
What makes a company a "hidden gem" in Asia?
Why investors might be missing out on major opportunities with these hidden gems?
The stock selection process, including in-person engagement in a world dominated by data and AI.
Are Asian smaller companies really riskier – or is that an outdated assumption?
This episode offers a concise and informative overview for those interested in uncovering opportunities within Asian equities, of portfolio diversification, and understanding the value of local insight when investing in emerging markets.
Listen now to the podcast now

We’re excited to bring you the very first episode of Wealth DFM Talk – your new go-to monthly podcast exploring the big ideas and key insights shaping the world of wealth management.
In this debut episode, we tackle the rollercoaster ride that has been global markets in 2025. With President Trump’s unpredictable tariff agenda sending shockwaves through economies, investors have been challenged by an even more volatile and uncertain landscape than usual. But is the 90-day truce between the US and China a sign of sustained calm, or just the eye of the storm?
To help understand what’s really happening, we’re joined by Anthony Willis, Senior Economist at Columbia Threadneedle.
Our hosts Matt and Sue quiz Anthony on some of the biggest questions facing wealth managers in 2025 including:
What lies beyond the US-China 90-day tariff pause?
Is US exceptionalism fading — and where should wealth managers be looking instead?
Could undervalued UK equities present a hidden opportunity?
Is Europe’s 'self-help' narrative enough to break the cycle of low growth?
With his trademark clarity and macroeconomic insight, Anthony has plenty of actionable takeaways to help guide portfolio decisions in these ‘interesting times’.
Tune in for a really informative session in an easily digestible format on the outlook for markets and how wealth managers can help their clients during these turbulent times.
Listen now to Wealth DFM Talk Podcast #1!