Codename Project Minerva: Sesame's past business review uncovered

Codename Project Minerva: Sesame's past business review uncovered

Laura Miller
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The UK's largest adviser network is undertaking a widespread past business review following a £6m fine for advice failings last year. Laura Miller speaks to those in the firing line to uncover details of the secretive Project Minerva...

Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom. Giving that moniker to a project designed to clean up the mess of unwise practices is a little ironic, Sesame's executive chairman John Cowan admits. That is all he will say on the matter, however. He is calling to discuss a more recent problem; Sesame's selling of places on its restricted panel to the highest product provider bidder, for which the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) fined it £1.6m last week. Project Minerva relates to Sesame's previous transgressions - failing to ensure advice was suitable, and inadequate systems and controls to...

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