Newsletter: Driving collaborative solutions to raise standards

FOUR NATIONS TOUR

We were delighted to welcome over 200 attendees to our penultimate Four Nations conference in Marlow, alongside colleagues from the FCA. Member and CDA Partner continued support in this national engagement programme has been instrumental in its overwhelming success, reinforcing our commitment to delivering events and agendas that are refreshingly different.

Feedback from advisers and members across the country has been fantastic and I am pleased to report that the FCA’s feedback has been equally as positive.

Our final stop will be Wales on 21st January, after which we’ll shift focus to planning our programme for 2026. Stay tuned to find out which locations we will be coming to next!

DRIVING COLLOBORATIVE SOLUTIONS

A recurring feedback theme within the interactive conference Q&A sessions were concerns over poor service standards from certain providers in relation to the Duty, often impacting advisers’ ability to deliver good client outcomes. Letters of Authority and pension transfer delays were two key issues where detriment is being observed.

While the FCA continues to engage proactively with providers, the Alliance is championing a collaborative approach to tackling foreseeable harm. We’ll be bringing together providers and practitioners to explore root causes and help create solutions that reflect a shared responsibility to raise standards across the sector. If you have examples of unreasonable delays or poor service standards that hinder client support and objectives under the Duty—or worse, cause detriment or foreseeable harm—please forward them to admin@consumerduty.org.

WOMEN'S WEALTH ALLIANCE: WHITE PAPER LAUNCH

November also marked the release of an important white paper from the Women’s Wealth Alliance working group. Based on insights from over 500 women, the paper explores lived experiences in personal finance and proposes a roadmap for meaningful change.

If you’ve attended a CDA event, you’ll have heard Vanessa Barnes, Chair of the group, speak passionately about the importance of closing the gender gap for those both giving and receiving financial advice —especially as 60% of the UK’s private wealth is expected to be held by women by year-end.

Download the 'Women, Wealth and the Workplace' white paper here. If you would be interested in getting involved in future workstreams, then you can also register your interest here.

NEW WEBINARS

We’ve hosted a number of webinars over recent weeks that you may like to access on-demand:

How to Ensure Your Ongoing Advisory Services Meet Client Needs and Regulatory Standards  - A Consumer Duty Practitioner Forum session exploring the lessons learned from the FCA’s thematic review of ongoing advisory services and the practical steps advice firms can take to demonstrate that their services are delivering good client outcomes.

An Introduction to Apprenticeships for Employers – A New Talent Alliance webinar exploring the new Level 4 apprenticeship standards and how they can be a great way to support advice firms to grow. 

Retirement Reimagined: Navigating Decumulation Post-April 2027 – An Alliance webinar with guests from L&G and Just, focusing on the upcoming changes to IHT, how retirement income strategies might evolve and the growing role of guaranteed income solutions.

JOIN OUR PRACTITIONER PANEL

As a professional body built for the sector, by the sector, we deeply value the insights and experiences of our members. Your voice helps shape the relevance and quality of the support we provide.

We’re currently inviting new members to join our Practitioner Panel—a collaborative group who help review and sense-check our latest content, guides, and resources to ensure they’re as practical and impactful as possible. If you’re interested in contributing to this important work, please reach out to our Head of Engagement, Emma Bull, at Emma.bull@consumerduty.org.

Very best wishes, 

Keith Richards, CEO, Consumer Duty Alliance

There's just one more event 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.

• 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.

Webinar - Making apprenticeships work for your firm

Tuesday 2 December – 8:30am or 12:30pm (30 mins)

LIBF, part of Walbrook, and Future Financial Adviser (FFA) have created new apprenticeship pathways designed specifically for financial planning firms. These help firms make the most of the apprenticeship levy and grow your own advisers through a ready-made, sector-tested solution.

The Walbrook Institute London apprenticeship pathways include:

• Learning delivered externally, with LIBF providing ongoing support throughout

• Guidance and templates to maximise the apprenticeship levy (up to 95% funding)

• Job description templates and targeted advertising through FFA

• Low admin burden for firms, with proven tools and a structured approach

• Opportunities to bring in diverse new talent

• Trainees earning while they learn – with Level 3, 4 or 6 LIBF qualifications

If you'd like to be among the first firms involved – or simply learn more about this unique offer – register to join Sally Plant and Alan Wilson on this webinar on Tuesday 2 December by clicking on the relevant session below:

8:30am GMT

12:30pm GMT

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