Cherry spotlights lender/adviser communications, mental health, and the future of financial services as key 2024 topics, on new podcast

04 December 2024

The Cherry Financial Services Forum is shining a spotlight on the pressing issues shaping the financial services industry in 2024 through a compelling Financial Times podcast.

Featuring Silas J. Lees, Sales Director at Cherry, the podcast provides invaluable insights into the key topics discussed on the Cherry Forum over the past year.

The podcast examines the challenges and opportunities facing brokers, starting with the critical issue of communication breakdowns between lenders and brokers. Silas highlights the importance of streamlining processes and enhancing transparency to reduce delays, ease stress, and rebuild trust among clients, advisers, and lenders.

Attention is also drawn to the rising prevalence of stress in the financial services industry, with a large number of finance professionals reporting high stress levels that can lead to anxiety, depression, and burnout. Silas commends the Cherry Forum community as a vital platform for open discussions, offering brokers a supportive and safe space to share and connect during difficult times.

The discussion also explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence in financial services, with Silas emphasising that while AI offers vast potential to boost efficiency, it cannot replace the unique value of human empathy. He underscores the importance of personalised advice and understanding, noting that brokers provide an irreplaceable connection to their clients. Human empathy, Silas argues, remains central to effective financial planning, ensuring that tailored solutions meet the complex, individual needs of clients in ways technology alone cannot achieve.

Silas J. Lees, Sales Director at Cherry commented,

“This podcast captures the essence of what the Cherry Forum stands for—a community where industry challenges can be discussed, insights shared, and solutions that benefit everyone can be found. Whether it’s addressing communication gaps, supporting mental health, or exploring the potential of AI, these discussions are more relevant than ever.”

The FT podcast is available here: Listen Now.

For more information visit cherryplc.co.uk