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Newsletter: Small advice firms have a voice as we continue to "Raise Standards Together"

Newsletter: Small advice firms have a voice as we continue to "Raise Standards Together"

SMALL ADVICE FIRMS HAVE A VOICE AS WE CONTINUE TO "RAISE STANDARDS TOGETHER"

 


NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2025


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A very special welcome to our newest members following this year’s regional conferences.

 

Created by the profession, for the profession, we are a truly independent professional body with clear consumer outcomes objectives.

 

When the Consumer Duty Alliance launched two years ago, it was born from a belief in the opportunities that outcomes-based regulation could unlock, and the value of sharing 'good practice' amongst peers and the wider sector.  

 

Today, Consumer Duty continues to reshape financial services - going far beyond tick-box compliance to influence true business opportunities of how firms design products, report data, and engage clients.

 

CONSUMER DUTY AND REGULATION


As the UK government pursues deregulation, the FCA has positioned Consumer Duty as a flexible framework that can replace outdated rules while safeguarding consumers. This shift places increasing responsibility on firm leadership to evidence good practice and exercise sound judgment.


YOUR INPUT WITH THE FCA RESULTS IN OUTCOMES!

 

Through the Alliance, your voice is being heard. At our recent Newcastle conference, Nick Hulme, FCA’s Head of Supervision for Advisers, Wealth and Pensions, highlighted how small firm practitioners directly influenced the streamlining of RMAR reporting requirements, with more simplifications to follow. Feedback from our regional events shows how valuable these direct FCA interactions are, and we encourage members to embrace this new era of collaborative regulation.

 

I’m delighted to hear from the FCA that advisers who have attended our recent events have continued to engage via email - well done and thank you!

 

WHAT'S AHEAD 

 

We have a busy final quarter planned, with new resources and events designed to support you, including:

  • A practical guide on data security
  • Webinars on the future of Consumer Duty, retirement strategies, and apprenticeships
  • The Women’s Wealth Alliance white paper, based on findings from the Women in Personal Finance survey
  • A new Financial Vulnerability Taskforce campaign to embed good practice in bereavement services.

We’ll share updates through our newsletters, member communications, and LinkedIn.


Thank you, for being part of the fastest-growing professional community in UK financial services. Together, we have the opportunity to Raise Standards Together, influence regulation, and support increased trust in the sector. We can engender trust with clients individually...but only as an Alliance can we raise trust in the profession we represent.

 

Very best wishes, 

 

Keith Richards, CEO, Consumer Duty Alliance

 

We have two more events in our current Four Nations Tour of regional conferences, offering a perfect opportunity for small firms to hear from, and engage directly with the FCA.

  • Marlow, West of London, near Reading, on Tuesday 4 November 2025
  • Glamorgan on Wednesday 21 January 2026.

Visit our Events page for the full agenda with timings, and information on speakers and our event partners. Feedback from our previous events has been fantastic, come and witness for yourself!

 

Secure your seat here.

FREE access to AI Compliant Checker

Alliance members are invited to take part in the pilot of a new AI-powered complaint reviewer from one of our affiliate members and an FCA sandbox participant. This offers six months' free access to review any current or historic complaints.


SmartPredict is built specifically for financial services. You just upload an anonymised complaint letter, draft final response letter and product terms, then it reviews the decision based on those terms and in line with FCA, FOS and Consumer Duty requirements.

 

It helps complaint handlers by flagging fairness gaps, Consumer Duty risks, and potential FOS misalignment with transparent reasoning.


To find out more about taking part, please contact manish@complai-solutions.co.uk.

Vulnerability Good Practice Guide and Checklist

Published by the Financial Vulnerability Taskforce, in partnership with L&G, this good practice guide and checklist provide greater clarity on the current state of play and:

  • Explanation of the most recent FCA review's key findings and areas for improvement
  • A good practice framework giving a simple but robust approach for firms.
  • A checklist for firms to assess their approach to clients in vulnerable circumstances.

Download your guide and checklist

ARE YOU DISPLAYING YOUR ALLIANCE DIGITAL BADGE?

 

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© 2025 The Consumer Duty Alliance.