Q: What’s the biggest change you have seen in the industry since you joined?
The biggest change I’ve seen is the immediacy of information. When I first started in the industry, everything was paper-based and news came from traditional outlets. Now, with smartphones and digital technology, information is constant and instantaneous. This has completely transformed the way we receive and absorb information and how we react to market developments.
While real-time updates have their advantages, the speed at which information spreads also has its downsides – it can heighten anxiety, trigger panic or foster unrealistic optimism/pessimism. Despite all the constant noise today, one thing has not changed, keeping a balanced, long-term perspective is crucial.
Q: What is the investment topic most often brought up by clients/investors?
Right now, the most frequently discussed topic is US president Donald Trump and geopolitical tensions. This is completely normal as investment conversations tend to follow the news cycle and reflect current affairs as different events unfold.
While clients are keen to understand the impact of what’s happening at that moment, it’s important to remind them that markets can often behave differently to the prevailing political and media narratives. History has shown us that actual market outcomes are often very different to predictions, and it is the responsibility of advisers and investment professionals to ensure clients stay focused on fundamental investment principles.
Q: What piece of regulation has had the biggest impact on your day-to-day role?
Consumer Duty impacts decision-making in all areas of financial services. As we look to continually evolve our platform and investment propositions, it is at the forefront of our thinking and strategy. While it’s not a revolution, Consumer Duty does provide a clearer framework for ensuring and evidencing good customer outcomes.
I believe that most people, across all areas of wealth management, have always acted in the best interest of clients, but the regulation ensures firms can now better articulate and demonstrate that commitment. Overall, I see it as a hugely positive development – it’s good for businesses, advisers and, most importantly, clients.
Read the rest of this article in the April issue of Portfolio Adviser magazine