Ep. 109 - From One Country to Two Continents: In Conversation with Simon Harvey
Running a financial planning business across two continents is no small feat. In a compelling episode of the Adviser 3.0 podcast, Simon Harvey, founder of BDH Sterling, shares how he grew a boutique UK-Australia migration advice firm into a global financial powerhouse.
From Boutique Beginnings to International Expansion
BDH Sterling started with a clear niche: helping UK clients navigate the financial complexities of relocating to Australia. Simon recognised a unique client need and developed a solution that went beyond relocation. He built a bridge between two regulatory environments and created a seamless client experience across borders.
Today, BDH Sterling operates out of three offices — Epsom, Sydney, and Perth — with a 50-strong team serving over 1,200 families. They now manage more than £500 million in assets, making them one of the standout transcontinental advice firms in the profession.
Culture and Continuity Across Time Zones
A key theme from the podcast is the importance of company culture. Whether in the UK or Australia, every BDH Sterling team member shares the same core values, supported by consistent systems, transparent communication, and a client-first mindset.
Maintaining alignment across time zones and cultural nuances requires intentional leadership. Simon shares how BDH Sterling leverages both technology and talent to create a unified experience — for clients and staff alike.
Why Location Still Matters in a Digital Age
Despite advances in remote working and digital planning tools, Simon makes a compelling case for maintaining physical offices. Local presence offers reassurance to clients and helps maintain compliance across jurisdictions such as those overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia.
This blend of digital agility and physical presence is a model that many firms may find worth emulating — particularly as cross-border financial planning continues to rise in demand.
