Programme
Register and fuel for an exciting day ahead with coffee and pastry in hand - gain first access to the exhibition hub - start making valuable connections and reacquaint with friends and familiar faces.
A warm welcome and look at the day ahead with the editor of Professional Adviser.
Navigating evolving policies on tax and savings and impact on client portfolios and financial planning strategies.
Providing financial advisers with a detailed understanding of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) current strategies and regulatory priorities. As the industry continues to evolve, the FCA has set clear goals aimed at enhancing consumer protection, promoting competition, and improving market integrity. The session will cover the key regulatory initiatives the FCA is progressing, their impact on the financial advice sector, and how advisers can stay compliant while adapting to change.
Advances in AI technology have been fascinating but how can it make a difference to a financial planning business? Our panel will break down and provide practical examples of how AI has been embraced, implemented and used to make a difference to operations, client service, and regulatory compliance.
Be part of the buzz and engage with fellow attendees over a cup of coffee in the exhibition hub - discuss your challenges with exhibitors to find out how they can help and catch up on latest news and updates.
Your Profession
Stream Chair: Katrina Lloyd, Editor-in-Chief, Professional Adviser, Investment Week, and COVER
Amongst the backdrop of the Labour government changes, and ten years since pension freedoms, join Standard Life as they bring to life how people are thinking and feeling about retirement, using their flagship Retirement Voice research to put real clients’ views on retirement front-and-centre.
With the changes to policy afoot and client sentiment shifting, where do the biggest risks lie for your clients? And what is the Retirement Risk Zone - and why does it matter?
This session will consider the direction of travel for retirement planning and take you through practical examples around where there’s opportunity to re-think retirement for your clients.
Requirements on fund labelling aim to tackle greenwashing and help advisers have clearer conversations with clients. We consider the practical implications for advisers as they integrate sustainability matters into their investment advice, how to break down the complex world of ESG for clients, and how to go above and beyond the labels.
The recent FCA thematic review has shone a light on retirement income advice but what does it mean on a practical level for advisers when it comes to ensuring good client outcomes? This session will equip advisers with tangible tools and techniques to ensure that clients receive suitable and appropriate advice that will meet their individual needs. Our panel will explore innovative strategies to personalise income plans, share best practices to address and mitigate individual risk profiles, and empower clients to make informed decisions about their financial future.
Your Business
Stream Chair: Jen Frost, Editor, Professional Adviser
Evaluating the impact of Consumer Duty on financial advisers and how firms have evolved business practices and reshaped client relationships as they meet their obligations.
What is still left to do on the Consumer Duty roadmap?
Cyber-crime is escalating and evolving as criminals adopt new technologies to enhance their scams. A cyber-attack is one of the biggest concerns and costs to an adviser business, with disruption to business, stolen client data, and reputational damage at stake.
Stay on top of this ever-evolving threat and develop strategies that will protect your clients and business.
Insights into changing trends in the platform market to help you select and implement the right investment platform for your business.
Your Clients
Stream Chair: Jenna Brown, Deputy Editor, Professional Adviser
Providing financial advisers with a comprehensive understanding of the crypto currency markets and why the younger generation are investing. We explore how digital assets fit into investment portfolios, the risks and opportunities they present and the regulatory and compliance considerations advisers need to be aware of. Attendees will gain insights into how to approach conversations with clients about cryptocurrencies, assess whether they are appropriate for a client’s financial strategy, and stay informed about the evolving landscape of blockchain technology.
The outcomes of The Consumer Duty and Thematic Review of Retirement, and the subsequent challenges present to advisers, have led some to claim that bespoke investment management is a less relevant proposition. Despite a shift towards unitised investment solutions, we believe high net worth individuals still require a specialised approach.
This session will argue that bespoke investment management is essential for:
Avoiding foreseeable harms: Full control and visibility to help to avoid foreseeable harm to clients.
Effective Tax Management: Tailored strategies optimise tax efficiency across accounts and wrappers.
Decumulation: Personalised, dynamic solutions to help manage drawdown and long-term income.
Value over cost: A truly personal service offering real value, not just low cost.
Adaptability: Flexibility to navigate challenging investment environments and inflation. Only bespoke investment management can offer such a well-rounded service so yes, its death has been greatly exaggerated.
By the end of this presentation, you will be able to explain:
- The scale of the impact that recent regulation has had on managing bespoke portfolios.
- The difficulties managing foreseeable in unitised solutions.
- How taking a fluid approach to investing allows the flexibility to adjust portfolios and soften any potential negative impact
- How personal service offers rounded value (part of the cost and value element on Consumer Duty)
With a need to create positive client outcomes, protection can play a vital role in safeguarding and securing your clients against future life and health uncertainties, as well as wealth.
Our panel of experts will equip you with the practical knowledge, strategies and tools needed to incorporate protection into a comprehensive and holistic offering, protecting and preserving the financial wellbeing of your clients.
Grab a spot of lunch with peers to share highlights and lessons from the morning’s sessions - discuss your challenges with exhibitors to find out how they can help and catch up on latest news and updates.
Your Profession
Stream Chair: Katrina Lloyd, Editor-in-Chief, Professional Adviser, Investment Week, and COVER
Guidance on how best to support clients who may be vulnerable. How do you identify clients that are vulnerable, what are the core skills needed when talking to these clients, and what do you need to do to collect and present data to evidence appropriate action and outcome.
Exploring how financial advisers can leverage Managed Portfolio Services (MPS) to enhance portfolio management, streamline operations, and improve client outcomes.
Highlighting a practical approach to ensure that you, your business, and the people working within it are happy, thriving and able to deliver.
Your Business
Stream Chair: Sahar Nazir, News Editor, Professional Adviser
In this panel discussion we speak to the very best in the businesses and learn their secrets at attracting and retaining the next generation of financial advisers.
- How do you start building a graduate or apprenticeship program to attract talented individuals?
- How can providers offer support and expertise to smaller firms trying to recruit new talent?
- What does good training look like?
- How are people incentivised beyond compensation, and what does a good career pathway look like?
- How can you look after the resilience and wellbeing of your teams?
- What skills do the next generation of advisers need?
- How can you allow new talent to thrive, and add value to the business with their diversity of opinion and ideas
This talk will guide you through what to expect when getting your firm ready for sale.
By the end of this session, attendees will:
- Learn how to make their business more attractive to buyers – particularly in light of Consumer Duty requirements
- Identify the different options to consider when selling your business
- Prepare your clients for the transition
- Develop a timeline for exit strategy ensuring your personal and professional goals align after the acquisition and somebody else running your business
Your Clients
Stream Chair: Isabel Baxter, Senior Reporter, Professional Adviser
What allocation strategies are multi-asset managers using right now to help protect portfolios against inflation and ever-shifting market dynamics? What is the objective, role and opportunity for alternatives and how can diversified portfolios be created without increasing costs?
Taking a closer look at the next generation of investors, their preferences, and how you need to adapt your digital strategies to capture and maintain their attention.
An opportunity to refuel and finish the day strongly.
For years financial advisers have been told that fully integrated technology solutions will transform how they run their business, improve efficiency and enhance client experiences - but many at the sharp end will tell you that is still a long way off from practical reality. And many will even question whether it is actually desirable to have one system that does it all.
Our panel will examine how the adviser tech ecosystem is evolving and making a difference to their business, their process, and more important, their client outcomes. We explore the practical difference technology is making in addressing the challenges covered throughout the day and hear about the realities of technology adoption and integration across an advice business.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Alastair's unique perspective and gain practical advice on what it takes to navigate complex challenges, build strong relationships, and maintain resilience in the face of uncertainty and change.