Urquhart Stewart sparks row after RDR "scum" outburst

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Seven Investment Management's (7IM's) Justin Urquhart Stewart sparked a mini-row on Friday after declaring the RDR would get rid of the "scum" in the investment advisory arena, during a conference on Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) at the London Stock Exchange.

Urquhart Stewart, who was chairing the conference, introduced Katharine King, who was representing the FSA's retail distribution team, as the person who was responsible for introducing the RDR, saying she would "help clear away the scum". But one IFA at the conference, Charlie Palmer of Financial Private Clients, immediately hit back: "I find being referred to as scum offensive and there are at least 15 other people in this audience who will feel the same way." Many advisers are predicted to exit the industry over the RDR's proposals for more stringent qualifications and the effecti...

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