Welcome to the first edition of IFA Magazine in 2022. Financial advice businesses have proven themselves to be extremely resilient in recent years. The vast changes brought about to working practice as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic have transformed the way we live and work. As the world digests and studies the impacts of the latest Omicron variant, the fact remains that we just have to adapt to whatever comes our way and make the best choices for our businesses and clients. Our job here at IFA Magazine is try and help our readers to by bringing you content to help you gain perspective, insight and practical ideas from experts across the spectrum of financial advice and investment. That’s no mean feat!
A New Year, a new problem
As if the health and lifestyle impacts of Covid-19 weren’t enough, we’re now dealing with prospective hikes to the cost of living such as have not been experienced for a generation. Not that Covid is solely to blame here of course, but the latest inflation figures announced by the ONS showed that with CPI at 5.4% over the 12 months to December 2021, was the highest rate of UK price increases for 30 years. For the financial planning process this brings new challenges with future assumptions being more tricky to accurately assess, and for us as consumers and business owners the impact of such hikes in the cost of living can’t be overstated.
The changing world
So what have we got for you between the pages of this month’s magazine? Of course, the drive towards sustainable investment continues apace and gains some column inches. Thought leadership is always a popular topic with IFA Magazine readers and this month we’ve got rather a lot of it for you to digest. With topics ranging from intergenerational planning, dealing with divorce, art as an investment class, the role of women in finance and tips for building an even more successful advice business, we hope you’ll find something which shifts your thinking and gives you a greater perspective not only on what you do but also how you do it.
We like to talk
As you know, we’re well known for our interviews here at IFA Magazine. This month, we’ve enjoyed talking technical with Brooks Macdonald’s Chris Bishun and Pru’s Vince Smith-Hughes as well as delving into the world of financial advice in our interview with Unique Financial Planning’s Philip Martin. We also bring you the highlights of our recent popular webinar looking at Global Listed Infrastructure.
Hello hybrid
Whether we’re working from home or combining it with a return to the office in part or in whole, the use of technology will be a driving force for success this year perhaps more so than ever before. This is another topic which you’ll consistently find on the pages of this and future IFA Magazines throughout the year as we aim to help you to identify ways in which you can harness the power of technology to deliver even greater client service and satisfaction as well as business success. As always, here’s a very big thank you to all this month’s expert contributors for sharing your insight with us.
Sue Whitbread
Editor, IFA Magazine
