Opinion

In light of the FSA's proposed regulatory fee increases for IFAs, do you think that advisers should have more input with the regulator on rules affecting their business? Should they be represented on the board?

I'm not sure how this has happened exactly - I don't think any one particular change or industry issue caused it - but, over the last 18 months or so, I'm getting the feeling advisers and insurers believe protection is the most important area in the market....

Credit ratings, financial strength, CDS spreads, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme...these are all terms readers will no doubt be all too familiar with.

The Government needs to look at its own culture of rewards and perks, specifically its own final salary pension scheme as well as those of the judiciary and civil servants.

As our industry recognises that distribution is a vital factor in its success or failure, the need is even greater to develop the next generation of trusted professional advisers if the sector is to meet even a proportion of its market potential.