Goddard: Advisers still don't know what independent means

clock

Industry experts today expressed concerns advisers are still unsure of the post-RDR definition of independence.

During a panel discussion at the Tenet conference in Ascot this morning, Andrew Ward, head of centralised sales at Aviva, Zurich intermediary sales director Richard Howells, PFS chief executive Fay Goddard and AIFA director general Stephen Gay were asked what proportion of IFAs would remain independent after 2012. Ward predicted only between 10 and 15% would remain independent while Howells was more optimistic, suggesting up to 40% will keep the IFA tag. However, neither Gay nor Goddard were prepared to put a figure on how many would stray into the restricted sphere. Goddard sugges...

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

Closing the advice gap: The case for attitudinal targeted support

Closing the advice gap: The case for attitudinal targeted support

TISA’s Sophie Legrand-Green on a ‘significant’ way to influence consumer behaviour

Sophie Legrand-Green
clock 14 May 2026 • 4 min read
Women in Financial Advice Awards 2026: All the nominations!

Women in Financial Advice Awards 2026: All the nominations!

More than 1,150 women from 450 firms were nominated for WIFA 2026

Professional Adviser
clock 14 May 2026 • 29 min read
UK IFA deal numbers hit 'new peak' in 2025

UK IFA deal numbers hit 'new peak' in 2025

Deals rose from 50 to 133 between 2020 and 2025

Sophia Panayi
clock 12 May 2026 • 4 min read