If one looks at the consumer duty, the indications are there for everyone to read and to understand. All communication, whether in a meeting or in writing, will need to be fair, clear and not misleading.
Advisers are expected to align clients to propositions; or to turn this around, not to align clients to unsuitable propositions.
There is help around for those who need it with initiatives such as Accord, which is free to use.
Working exclusively within a firm that operates in this arena hasn’t blinded me to negotiate impacts that could arise for advisers.
As with so many areas as an adviser seeking to do the very best by their client, it starts with the client relationship and taking the time to look holistically at all of the issues that impact upon them, not solely the conventional financial measures.
Mike Head is a director at advice firm Ethical Investors and managing director of research firm Ethical Screening
