The recent report by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on investment fraud and fairer financial services has ignited a critical debate about the effectiveness of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). As customer champions, we believe this discussion highlights systemic issues that cannot be ignored, especially when consumer trust and financial well-being are at stake. At … Continue reading Regulatory Oversight or Industry Bias? A Consumer Champion’s Perspective on the FCA Debate
Tag: investing
Fair Value Assessments for Holistic Wealth Planners: A Practical Guide
Fair value is at the heart of delivering transparent, ethical, and client-focused financial planning services. For holistic wealth planners, especially those not bound by regulated adviser rules, understanding and implementing fair value assessments is essential to create accessible, personalised, and meaningful service offerings. Here’s a guide to structuring fair value assessments that resonate with clients … Continue reading Fair Value Assessments for Holistic Wealth Planners: A Practical Guide
Why Holistic Wealth Planners Can Benefit from Membership in a Professional Community
As the regulatory landscape for financial services evolves, non-FCA-regulated financial planners—referred to as holistic wealth planners—find themselves navigating a complex environment. While their work is distinct from that of FCA-authorised advisers, there are overlapping considerations, particularly around governance, transparency, and client outcomes. By joining a community of like-minded planners, holistic wealth planners can align with … Continue reading Why Holistic Wealth Planners Can Benefit from Membership in a Professional Community
Navigating the Boom-and-Bust Cycles of Regulation: Why Holistic Wealth Planning Matters More Than Ever
Regulation in financial services is a bit like the tide—it flows in and out, driven by economic and political currents. These boom-and-bust cycles of regulation impact everything from how your savings are managed to how financial institutions operate. At first glance, regulatory changes might seem distant or irrelevant, but they directly influence the financial well-being … Continue reading Navigating the Boom-and-Bust Cycles of Regulation: Why Holistic Wealth Planning Matters More Than Ever
Housing Costs in Retirement: A Growing Concern and How to Plan Ahead
Housing is one of the greatest expenses we face in life. Traditionally, many people worked towards owning their homes outright by retirement, achieving a significant reduction in expenses just as earnings stopped. For decades, this milestone has provided financial stability in later life, easing the pressure on pension income. However, the landscape is changing. Increasingly, … Continue reading Housing Costs in Retirement: A Growing Concern and How to Plan Ahead
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Conduct Risk: Inside and Outside the Perimeter
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was established to regulate financial conduct in the UK. As the name suggests, its primary role is to ensure that firms and individuals within its regulatory perimeter act in ways that protect consumers, maintain market integrity, and promote competition. But not all financial planners operate within this perimeter, and understanding … Continue reading Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Conduct Risk: Inside and Outside the Perimeter
The Academy of Life Planning: Empowering the Next Generation of Holistic Wealth Planners
Welcome to a future-ready approach to financial planning, where your career aligns with your values, and your clients’ lives are genuinely transformed. The Academy of Life Planning (AoLP) offers an inspiring alternative to traditional financial adviser academies, free from product sales targets, regulatory burdens, and corporate red tape. Here, you are not just trained to … Continue reading The Academy of Life Planning: Empowering the Next Generation of Holistic Wealth Planners
Understanding the New IHT Rules for Pension Death Benefits from April 2027: What You Need to Know
From 6 April 2027, pensions will no longer remain untouched by inheritance tax (IHT), marking a significant shift in retirement and estate planning. This new landscape will require pension scheme members to rethink how they manage their savings, beneficiaries, and estate plans. Let’s break down the implications and outline what you can do now to … Continue reading Understanding the New IHT Rules for Pension Death Benefits from April 2027: What You Need to Know
Breaking Away from the Old Paradigm: Financial Planning for a New Generation
For decades, the financial planning profession has operated within a paradigm shaped by product intermediation. The old way trained advisers to act as intermediaries, bridging clients with financial products. While this served a purpose in its time, it left advisers with an incomplete toolkit, particularly for solving life’s bigger, more complex problems. Today, we’re at … Continue reading Breaking Away from the Old Paradigm: Financial Planning for a New Generation
Where is the Old-School Financial Planning Model Heading?
The financial planning profession is at a crossroads. For decades, the old-school model dominated—a system where financial planners often doubled as financial advisers, wearing two hats. These professionals combined strategic financial planning with product-driven advice, often charging fees as a percentage of assets under management (AUM). However, cracks are forming in this model, and new … Continue reading Where is the Old-School Financial Planning Model Heading?
Academy of Life Planning 