Welcome to the May edition of IFA Magazine. As usual, within it we bring you a range of insight, analysis and information from experts across the profession. It’s all intended to support you and your teams, not just in what you do but how you do it.
The considerable uncertainty in global markets and economies continues, meaning that investment and asset allocation decisions are as challenging as ever. In this edition, we’re grateful to PIMCO for sharing insight into Europe’s economy on page 6, and to Charles Stanley for highlighting how Consumer Duty is supporting the future of bespoke and tailored investment solutions on page 10 – one size definitely does not fit all. When it comes to ESG, on page 28, SimplyBiz’ Wiesner makes a strong case for why he believes it’s not dead.
The business of advice
Talking of ESG, we enjoyed hearing from Paradigm Norton recently about their very positive experiences of being a B Corp. Not sure what we’re talking about? Check out the details on page 36. And what about DEI? Lloyd’s Rose St. Louis talks to us on page 38 about her thought-provoking views on why strength lies in differences rather than similarities. It’s a powerful argument that could prove transformational – for the business as well as the people involved.
One of the ways in which many advice businesses will be looking to spring forward in the next few years will be through M&A. Working on your exit strategy sounds pretty simple but, as our Q&A with Ascot Lloyd’s Gordon Kerr on page 14 makes clear, there are secrets to success if you want to ensure the process runs smoothly and you achieve the best outcome in the end.
If you’re wondering about the impact of AI, you’re not alone. On page 25, mallowstreet shares insight into what we might expect to see coming down the line.
Thankfully, the tax year-end frenzy is now a distant memory. With the new tax year underway, page 31 finds AJ Bell’s Laura Suter sharing 13 personal finance changes now in place for the 2024/5 tax year. Always worth double checking you’re up to date with all the latest changes!
Finally, on a quest for wider reading, IFA Magazine’s Jenny Hunter came across a surprisingly useful crash course in economics published in a book by none other than The Bank Of England. On page 19, Jenny explains why she thinks it might be of interest to IFA Magazine readers too. After all, a sound basic understanding of economics isn’t optional IMHO. As an Economics graduate myself (albeit more years ago now than I’d care to remember), I hope you read it – and find it useful. I know Jenny did.
But that’s not all, across the following pages we’ve got a plethora of ideas which we hope will help you spring forward. As always, we’re incredibly grateful to all those lovely people who are prepared to take the time to share their views with us. And, of course, to you for reading them.
Sue Whitbread
Editor, IFA Magazine
