Ethics, Growth, and Client-Centered Service

Warren Ingram, CFP®, co-founder of Galileo Capital and a past winner of the Financial Planner of the Year award, has spent nearly three decades reshaping the landscape of financial advice. Starting his career in 1996, Warren quickly realised that the corporate financial planning world, with its focus on commissions and product sales, wasn’t aligned with his vision of ethical, client-centered service. In 2005, alongside his business partner, Theo Forster, Warren co-founded Galileo Capital with a revolutionary goal—to offer fee-only financial planning, free from commission-based selling.

Galileo Capital’s approach was a breath of fresh air in an industry dominated by hidden fees and product-focused advisors. Instead, Warren prioritised long-term financial planning strategies that genuinely served his clients' best interests. His commitment to ethics and transparency proved essential during the early years of Galileo, a time when they faced financial challenges and needed to find creative solutions to stay afloat. Despite the difficulties, Warren remained steadfast, refusing to compromise on his principles.

Winning the Financial Planner of the Year award was a turning point for Warren. It validated his belief in doing financial planning the right way and helped position Galileo Capital as a trusted name in the industry. Warren’s influence extends beyond his business—he advocates for continuous education and professional certification, believing that the title of financial planner should be earned, not taken for granted.

In addition to running his practice, Warren offers pro bono advice to those who can’t afford traditional financial planning services and mentors young advisors. He also believes that the future of financial planning lies in the adoption of technology and behavioural coaching, which can help advisors offer more personalised, impactful services. For Warren, financial planning isn’t just a profession—it’s a lifelong calling to help people achieve financial freedom and security.

Key Points:

• Warren Ingram is the co-founder of Galileo Capital, which offers ethical, fee-only financial planning without commissions or hidden fees.

• Warren began his career in 1996 and co-founded Galileo in 2005 after becoming frustrated with corporate financial planning’s product-focused, commission-based model.

• His firm emphasises long-term financial planning and the importance of transparency and ethics in client relationships.

• Warren won the Financial Planner of the Year award, which validated his approach to financial planning and helped elevate his firm’s profile.

• He advocates for continuous education and professional certification for financial planners, emphasising that the title must be earned through proper training and ethical practice.

• Warren offers pro bono advice to underserved communities and believes that financial planners should allocate part of their time to giving back.

• He highlights the importance of behavioural coaching and technology in modern financial planning, seeing these as crucial tools for offering personalised, effective services to clients.