Stephen Kavanagh: Ensuring post-acquisition independence

The financial advice profession is going through huge and permanent changes - not only in respect of how it is delivered, with the role of technology increasing over time, but also the companies that are delivering it. There used to be a clear distinction between financial advisers and product providers. Many larger advice firms are, however, now selling their own products, investment funds and platforms, while more product providers are launching advice services or finding other ways to have control over their channels of distribution. There is no doubt the Retail Distribution Review...