2023 Programme

Just like when you pass your driving test, we now really learn to drive. What does the future hold? Is this the end or just the start of a beautiful new beginning? In this session we will take a look back at lessons learned from an adviser perspective and explore what could happen in the future. Let’s start making plans to embed the Duty culturally.

• A look at the mixed economic picture
• Structural tailwinds becoming headwinds?
• Making decisions amidst uncertainty – bottom-up
• Drilling down into real assets

Over recent years, many clients have experienced significant gains in their portfolios. But this is not without risk, especially for those in decumulation. During 2022, the economy experienced a number of shocks that have been reflected in high levels of inflation and interest rates. As we contend with the consequences, there are three key challenges clients face:

• Facilitation of more income to keep up with rising costs
• Sustaining income over the longer term
• Improving legacy benefits

In this session, we will look at what can be brought into the mix to offer innovative features for a range of situations.

We all know about the need for advice when it comes to estate planning. Many families in all regions across the UK face a potential inheritance tax liability. And we all know about the importance of estate planning to fulfil your duty as a financial adviser and to ensure positive outcomes for your clients. So let’s talk about solutions and how you can recommend a strategy with confidence.

After attending this session, delegates will understand:

• Why inheritance tax is a growing concern and understand the solutions available for clients with different needs.
• Understand how Business Relief can help and how you can recommend Business Relief-qualifying investments with confidence.
• A range of practical tips and approaches to help clients make positive decisions about leaving their estate to loved ones.
  

How much can we really say about what investment returns will look like in the future? What can we do to make portfolios more predictable? And would clients choose a predictable future if it required giving up on the small possibility of a large return? Charlie Parker will delve into the psychology of predictability and show that we can do more than many people might assume to make client outcomes more predictable.

After attending this session, delegates will be able to:

• Explain the economic forces which lead to a level of predictability in the performance of asset classes and areas of the market.
• Describe how these areas of the market can be isolated.
• Summarise whether the benefit to clients of more predictable returns outweighs the possibility of less likely larger returns.
  

• Gain an insight into the market backdrop underpinning the outlook for financial markets
• Understand some of the investment opportunities across different asset classes for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024
• Learn about asset allocation positioning you can apply to this backdrop to capitalise on opportunities
  

A timely update on inheritance tax and the changes that could happen over the next 12 months, the expected impact on clients, and advice you might give to clients to help them plan for this landscape.

Designing a sound retirement strategy for clients in the current market environment can be particularly challenging given ongoing high inflation and longer life expectancy. In this session we explore the essential ingredients of a secure retirement plan, how do you approach and build investment portfolios that enhance income and manage longevity risk, and what is the role for annuities to protect against inflation?

Investing and navigating Consumer Duty are both challenged by how humans think. What biases might be most troublesome? As evidence of these biases, we can examine examples of them in asset allocation decisions. Recognising these biases can help advisers develop frameworks to help prepare for future scrutiny.

What is the role of alternative assets in your portfolio and can they can work as a diversifier. We take a look at the alternative landscape, why now is the time to invest, and the opportunity that the private market specifically, real asset space can offer adviser clients.