Overheard: What advisers really think about prof bodies

The Institute of Financial Planning's 25th anniversary conference had the air of a financial services variety show. Divas and hams abounded; there was investor behaviour guru Nick Murray, whose own whims according to his website include a refusal to fly below first class or speak while waiting staff lay plates. Elsewhere, Lifesearch CEO Tom Baigrie spoofed an auctioneer to argue the foolishness of investing in life companies. A Shirley Bassey impersonator, and, well, a financial services variety show were also thrown in. But while the headline acts draw the polite crowds, the truth...