John Lester: Factors to consider when picking an investment solutions partner

Ever since the FCA published COBS 9.2 on assessing suitability, firms providing financial advice across the UK have been debating the best way to construct and maintain a robust Centralised Investment Proposition (CIP) that can help them meet the investment needs of their clients while demonstrating due process from a regulatory perspective. The decision to reach outside of the adviser's own practices to obtain investment expertise lies squarely on the shoulders of the adviser and is determined by their own specific circumstances.  When we meet with advisers there are typically some comm...