In this episode, Adam and Jon sit down with Sean Connolly, founder of Connolly Financial Planning in Oakham, to explore the story behind a local financial planning firm built around trust, personal service and long term client relationships. Sean shares how his career began in a completely different world.

After spending around 10 years working as an electrician, he moved into financial services and eventually launched his own independent practice in January 2025. Today, Connolly Financial Planning supports clients across Rutland with investment planning, retirement planning, mortgages, wealth management and inheritance tax planning.

The conversation explores why Sean has chosen to build the business around a strong local presence. Rather than focusing on larger markets such as London, the firm is committed to serving the local area through face to face advice, a prominent office location and community led events. From casino nights to seasonal gatherings, Sean explains how informal events can build goodwill and trust in a more natural way than traditional financial seminars.

A key part of the conversation focuses on the structure behind the business. Sean has built a team with defined roles, including business development, administration, mortgage processing and in house paraplanning. This allows him to focus more time on client facing meetings while ensuring clients receive consistent support throughout their financial journey