Departing AIFA boss blasts industry in-fighting

Scott Sinclair
clock

Outgoing AIFA director general Chris Cummings has lambasted in-fighting as the industry's "weakness".

Cummings, director general of the trade body since 2005, quit in June to become the first chief executive of TheCityUK. While he believes the independent advice sector will "come into its own" post RDR, he says the industry continues to be held back by internal conflict. "I always thought in-fighting was a great shame, a weakness," he told Professional Adviser, IFAonline's print title. "I remember sitting in a room with one certified and one chartered adviser. But rather than talk about how the world of advice could be improved, there was too much focus on which, of certified or ch...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Perspective inks JV with accountancy and professional services group

Perspective inks JV with accountancy and professional services group

To form DJH Perspective Wealth Management

Isabel Baxter
clock 06 January 2026 • 2 min read
Fairstone deputy chair Lee Hartley exits consolidator

Fairstone deputy chair Lee Hartley exits consolidator

CEO Steven Cooper sets out 2026 expansion plans

Sahar Nazir
clock 06 January 2026 • 2 min read
M&A outlook: FCA's consolidation review beginning to 'play out in real time'

M&A outlook: FCA's consolidation review beginning to 'play out in real time'

‘2025 has really been the year the FCA stepped up’

Isabel Baxter
clock 05 January 2026 • 5 min read