Our practical guides, factsheets and checklists have achieved nearly 50,000 downloads so far this year, and over 500 of you attended our 2026 regional events, which continue to receive excellent feedback.
This direct interaction with the regulator is also influencing regulatory thinking. Just last week, the FCA’s Head of Consumer Investments, Sara Woodroffe, confirmed that - following feedback from our Chatham House rules discussions at each event - there are no plans for an adviser survey next year, recognising the resource required to produce this data.
EMPOWERING THE EVOLUTION OF PERSONAL FINANCE - JOIN US IN OCTOBER
If you’re yet to attend a CDA event - or would like to return for a refreshed agenda - bookings are now open for our ‘Empowering the Evolution of Personal Finance’ National Conference on 22 October at the National Motorcycle Museum.
We’ll explore immediate business opportunities and the longer-term evolution of advice, including the ongoing impact of Consumer Duty, shifts in advice models, and what the next phase of change means for firms of all sizes.
In recognition of the vital role of support functions, please also consider inviting a colleague or connection from a different role, reinforcing that delivering good outcomes under Consumer Duty is a shared responsibility across the financial planning journey. Find out more and reserve your place here.
REVISITING ESTATE PLANNING
The planned inclusion of pension funds in the taxable estate for inheritance tax from April 2027 has prompted renewed focus on estate planning approaches.
Our useful ‘Exempt Gift’ Guide outlines the key ways that clients can pass on wealth during their lifetime without triggering inheritance tax, alongside common pitfalls - particularly around record-keeping and distinguishing between immediately exempt and potentially exempt gifts.
For details of some relevant CPD modules that help advisers recognise estate planning risks, refer safely, and maintain the audit trail, delivered by STEP-qualified specialists, see the Kinherit Academy at the end of the newsletter.
BEREAVEMENT CAMPAIGN
Our bereavement campaign continues to build momentum, with growing sign-ups to the Intermediary Bereavement Standard and our first provider roundtable - bringing firms together to review friction points in the client journey and share good practice - scheduled for mid-July.
We also share some details at the end of this newsletter about a landmark piece of research into death administration and what could be done to improve the process. As financial services professionals, your insights are invaluable, so we’d encourage you to participate.
To support firms ahead of the FCA’s proposed multi-firm review in this area, our free Consumer Duty benchmarking tool, powered by Model Office, now contains a new Bereavement and Vulnerability Strategy audit. Register here.
WHY CROSS-BORDER ADVICE IMPACTS UK FIRMS
Our Cross Border Alliance has launched a campaign highlighting ‘common misunderstandings’ about cross-border advice, as many of the most significant risks arise before clients leave the UK. A new factsheet offers a practical reference for UK advice firms, covering myths in six key areas and supports firms in avoiding foreseeable harm for clients planning to move overseas.
LATEST WEBINARS
How open finance can open doors and opportunities for advisers
Our next Technology Forum webinar, hosted by Ian McKenna from FTRC, is on Tuesday 14 July 2026.
- How open finance tools can be your friend and not a competitor.
- Why it is important to all advisers (mortgages, wealth and protection).
- Using open finance to engage the next generation of clients.
- What firms have already made work for them.
Register your place here.
Are your clients understanding key information - or just receiving it?
This well-received June webinar shared five proven techniques for creating plain-language client communications.
Hosted by Frances Gordon - who has over 25 years’ experience supporting financial firms - it’s now available to watch on-demand, alongside a practical checklist for simplifying client materials.
Very best wishes,
Keith Richards, CEO, Consumer Duty Alliance
