'Well I guess it worked for SJP': David Ferguson on Standard Life's move into advice

So, the big news of the day is Standard Life reversing its 2010 decision to place clear blue water between itself (as a provider) and financial advice, and follow Skandia into the restricted advice market. We surely live in interesting times and time will tell whether this is a good thing for customers, for the market more widely or for Standard Life / Skandia shareholders. Success will ultimately be judged by the ability of big manufacturers to deliver quality, tailored customer-led financial planning. Whether that is motivated by selling funds, punting DFM services or distributin...