Balancing life, family and money: key takeaways from The Times Wealth Management Forum
Reviewed by Sarah Davies, Netwealth | 24 September 2026
Key themes from the afternoon
Across the afternoon, speakers returned to a common message: many people feel caught between competing financial priorities, but complexity is often the biggest barrier to action rather than a lack of options.
Several myths were challenged, including the idea that financial planning is only for the very wealthy, that retirement planning can wait until later, or that supporting family members and securing your own future are mutually exclusive goals.
The conversations were rich with personal stories and real-world examples, illustrating how financial decisions are often as much about family, values and trade-offs as they are about money itself.
A recurring theme was the importance of taking the first step. Speakers encouraged attendees to focus less on finding the "perfect" plan and more on building a clear picture of their current position, understanding the choices available to them and identifying practical next steps.
The event also highlighted how life-modelling tools and financial forecasting can help people explore different scenarios, understand potential trade-offs and make decisions with greater confidence.
Where Netwealth featured
Charlotte Ransom, Founder and CEO, joined a discussion on intergenerational giving, exploring both the conversations families have about wealth and the practical considerations involved in passing it on. She closed the afternoon by bringing together the key themes of the event and outlining practical actions attendees could take afterwards.
Matt Conradi, Deputy CEO and Head of Advisory and Client Proposition, led a session focused on where to begin when finances feel overwhelming, using anonymised client scenarios to demonstrate practical starting points. He later returned to challenge the belief that effective financial planning has to be complicated, showing how clarity and structure can often be more valuable than complexity.
Rachel Willox, Netwealth's COO, joined the panel on the sandwich generation alongside other industry experts to discuss the pressures facing those supporting both parents and children at the same time. The conversation explored the emotional and financial trade-offs many families are navigating today.
Tom Kimche, Head of Advice, took part in the pensions discussion, highlighting how relatively small actions taken today can have a significant impact on long-term outcomes and retirement confidence.
Netwealth
Netwealth was founded in 2016 and manages over £1.6 billion for over 3,000 clients who want clarity and control over their financial planning rather than complexity. Our advisers and planners help families weigh competing priorities, from supporting relatives to structuring retirement income tax-efficiently. Find out more about our financial planning service or speak to our team.
Please note: the value of your investments can go down as well as up. Netwealth offers advice restricted to our services and does not provide independent advice across the market. This article does not constitute financial advice and should not be interpreted as a personal recommendation.
Read more from Netwealth