On 6 June 2019 I had the pleasure of speaking at the inaugural Financial Planning on Divorce and Separation Conference in Birmingham, organised by Resolution.
Here is yours truly talking about the “the good, the bad and the ugly of being a divorce financial planner.”
It was a great event attended by over 70 financial advisers, most of whom are looking to take the Specialist Accreditation Scheme for Financial Advisers soon.
There were brilliant speakers drawn from the legal, therapeutic and financial community talking on topics ranging from the changes in State Pensions (yes you still need to think about them) and Pension Advisory Group updates right through to inter-disciplinary working approaches.
Adviser numbers have unfortunately dwindled since the scheme started in 2007 from a high of 130 when I accredited to just 27 advisers today.
Given that the solicitors scheme has 1,134 accredited in one or more of their specialisms, there is certainly room for us to grow and I believe the opportunity is there.
I strongly believe that better settlements derive from better information and involving an adviser at an early stage in the proceedings can only be beneficial.
Hopefully last week was the start of something good and we can really reinvigorate the Specialist Accreditation Scheme. I for one am going to do my best to get more advisers through and out helping clients.