In this episode of the Money Wise UK podcast, host George Ladds speaks with Ben Yearsley, a financial expert with a rich history in the industry. They discuss Ben's journey from his early aspirations of becoming a stockbroker to his extensive career at Hargreaves Lansdown and his current role in consultancy and investment. The conversation delves into the importance of asking questions, the balance between work and life, and the definition of success and happiness in one's career. Ben shares insights on investing in startups and the lessons from successes and failures. The episode concludes with Ben's advice on the significance of absorbing knowledge and the value of personal connections in the financial world.

Key takeaways

• Ben Yearsley has a long history in financial services, starting at Hargreaves Lansdown.
• He was always interested in finance, inspired by his father's banking career.
• Ben's career at Hargreaves was marked by innovation and personal growth.
• He left Hargreaves in 2012, feeling he was coasting and needed a change.
• Investing in startups has been a significant part of Ben's career post-Hargreaves.
• He emphasises the importance of asking questions to absorb knowledge.
• Ben believes in maintaining a work-life balance, especially with family commitments.
• For Ben, success is defined as doing what you enjoy and having the freedom to choose.
• He advocates for a lifestyle business approach rather than aggressive growth.
• Ben reflects on the cultural tendency to knock down success in the UK.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ben Yearsley and His Career Journey

03:09 The Evolution of Hargreaves Lansdown

06:14 Transitioning from Hargreaves to Fairview Investing

09:15 Investing in Startups and Private Companies

12:05 The Nature of Entrepreneurship vs. Business Ownership

15:15 Lessons Learned from Investing and Business Experiences

26:35 Building a Sustainable Business

32:02 Defining Success and Happiness

34:08 Balancing Work and Family Life

39:14 The Importance of Learning and Asking Questions

Fairview Investing

Book: In for a Penny by Peter Hargreaves