NU distrib head disputes 'independence' of provider owned firms

He believes the RDR discussions on independence should include a debate on the ownership of advisory firms which would include the provider's own involvement in the Tenet Group, where it has a 20% stake. “The discussion of independence from the ownership of any provider needs to happen," he says. "Independent firms need to be free from conflicting interests. It is a question of the perception of these firms and gaining the trust of the consumer." Barral says the introduction of Customer Agreed Remuneration (CAR), or a similar model, for all advisers is essential. He adds only those adv...