Compliance-focused adviser generation 'lost the human touch'

‘Now there's soft skills training but advisers naturally did it back then’

Isabel Baxter
clock • 2 min read

The introduction of compliance in the 1990s has bred a generation of advisers who now need to be trained on the ‘human element’ of advice, PlanHappy founding chief executive Neil Parker says.

Speaking on a recent episode of the NextGen Planners Podcast, Parker explained that even before the regulator cracked down on compliance and tightened required documentation, advisers were still getting to know the community they were in and saw every client every week. "You knew everybody and everything about them." When regulation the came in the nineties, the fact find was born and therefore compliance was born, Parker noted. "Even though the reality was advisers then did know their client, we just couldn't demonstrate it in a written format." Due to this, the industry bred a...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Why advisers might want to think twice before 'sniping' online

Why advisers might want to think twice before 'sniping' online

‘Clients don’t really care if you are restricted or independent’

Sahar Nazir
clock 08 October 2025 • 3 min read
Digital advice channels open door to more under 40s

Digital advice channels open door to more under 40s

More under-40s are seeking advice as firms utilise technology

Sahar Nazir
clock 08 October 2025 • 2 min read
Devon man jailed for £1.3m Ponzi scheme run from his bedroom

Devon man jailed for £1.3m Ponzi scheme run from his bedroom

FCA secures seven-and-a-half-year sentence

Sahar Nazir
clock 07 October 2025 • 2 min read