What a classic '80s movie tells us about today's language of financial advice

'Forty years is a long time in film. Even more so in financial services'

clock • 4 min read

Roger Brosch looks back at an '80s classic film to make a pertinent point on financial advice language...

Ah, New Year's resolutions. A bane and blessing in equal measure at this time of year. The promise of so much optimism as yet untempered by the reality of previous years' lapsed gym memberships and unlearned languages. Yet vulnerable to the dual threats of Blue Monday and Duolingo's (very judgey!) owl lurking around the corner. In a brazen attempt to curry favour with Scottish financial planners of a certain age, I'd like to invoke the 1980s film classic, Gregory's Girl. In so far as proposing that we collectively aim to expand the advice profession's lexicon beyond the two-word limit of...

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

Tessa Lee: The invisible cost of poor client data

Tessa Lee: The invisible cost of poor client data

How can you improve data quality?

Tessa Lee
clock 23 July 2026 • 4 min read
Dean Proctor: Hopes and fears for the new PM and cabinet

Dean Proctor: Hopes and fears for the new PM and cabinet

Stability, simplicity and the chance to do things differently

Dean Proctor
clock 23 July 2026 • 5 min read
Should spousal maintenance be abolished? A modern perspective

Should spousal maintenance be abolished? A modern perspective

Making the case for abolition and retention

Amy Walpole and Karen Brennan
clock 22 July 2026 • 4 min read