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Practical guidance for advisers as 2026 draws to a close

Practical guidance for advisers as 2026 draws to a close

‍PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR ADVISERS AS 2026 DRAWS TO A CLOSE

 

OCTOBER 2026 NEWSLETTER

 

CONTENT

 

- New guide and webinar - Delivering good client outcomes when decision-making becomes a concern

- Retirement Reimagined: Balancing Income, Legacy and Later-Life Planning

- Building a Data-Driven Advice Firm: How to Manage, Use and Report Your Data 

- What do you need to do in advance to successfully deploy AI in an advice firm

- Final chance to give your views on succession

- An Employer Guide to New Talent and APCC Trainee Adviser Programme

-New Talent Alliance Employer Awards

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The recent Budget is another reminder that change is a constant for the advice profession. New announcements need to be understood alongside evolving regulation, technology, changing client expectations and the everyday demands of running an advice business. At the Consumer Duty Alliance, we recognise the challenge isn’t a lack of information. Advisers are surrounded by it. 

The challenge is working out what matters, what it means in practice and how others across the profession are responding.

 

That is where we aim to add value and creating practical guidance that makes a difference in real client situations has been at the heart of our work throughout 2026, with lots still planned for these final months of the year.

‍‍‍UPCOMING ACTIVITY

‍

NEW GUIDE AND WEBINAR - DELIVERING GOOD CLIENT OUTCOMES WHEN DECISION-MAKING BECOMES A CONCERN 

 

As longevity increases, so does the chance of clients experiencing some form of cognitive decline. For advisers, the challenge is not simply spotting the warning signs, but knowing how to respond appropriately and protect client interests.

 

Following on from the popular session at our recent national conference, we’ve launched a new guide and webinar in partnership with Just to help firms better recognise potential capacity issues, understand their responsibilities and gain confidence in taking the right next steps to protect clients while respecting their wishes and rights.

 

Download the guide here: GUIDE

 

Book your webinar place here: WEBINAR

 

📅 4 December 2026

⏰ 11am - 12pm

‍RETIREMENT REIMAGINED: BALANCING INCOME, LEGACY AND LATER-LIFE PLANNING 

 

How well does your retirement proposition reflect the whole of a client’s life and wealth?

 

Clients may reach retirement with pensions, investments and ISAs, but also property wealth, competing lifetime and legacy ambitions, and no certainty about what the next 20 or 30 years will bring. Join our expert panel to explore the opportunity to deliver more holistic retirement planning.

 

📅 25 November 2026

⏰ 10am - 11am

 

Book your place: Retirement Reimagined: Balancing Income, Legacy and Later-Life Planning

‍BUILDING A DATA-DRIVEN ADVICE FIRM: HOW TO MANAGE, USE AND REPORT YOUR DATA

 

Based on the Consumer Duty Data Forum’s popular good practice data strategy guide and checklist, this webinar will provide practical guidance for firms of all sizes on building an effective data strategy.

 

Our expert panel will explore:

  • Data ownership, standards and quality
  • Technology, integration and AI
  • How trusted data can help firms evidence Consumer Duty outcomes and respond to evolving FCA reporting requirements.

 

📅 17 November 2026

⏰ 12pm - 1pm

 

Book your place: Building a Data-Driven Advice Firm: How to Manage, Use and Report Your Data

‍WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO IN ADVANCE TO SUCCESSFULLY DEPLOY AI IN AN ADVICE FIRM?

 

AI has huge potential for advice firms, but getting the foundations right is key. This Tech Forum webinar explores what firms should consider before adopting AI and the benefits it could bring to their business and clients.

 

This webinar will explore topics including: 

✅How to use AI while keeping client data secure (understanding ICO & GDPR requirements) 

✅Putting the right governance in place 

✅Key steps to success when implementing AI 

✅What impact can you expect from AI? 

 

📅 10 November 2026

⏰ 12pm - 1pm

 

Book your place: Consumer Duty Alliance Technology Forum - Adviser Software

‍FINAL CHANCE TO GIVE YOUR VIEWS ON SUCCESSION

 

Our national survey on succession has received a fantastic response. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their views.

 

We are keeping the survey open for a few more days, so there is still time to take part. It is open to people in all roles across advice firms, is completely anonymous and takes no more than 10 minutes to complete.

 

Take part in the survey - https://www.surverymonkey.com/r/YQ56G3M

 

We will also shortly publish a practical glossary explaining common terminology used throughout the acquisition and business sale process in straightforward, plain English.

‍AN EMPLOYER GUIDE TO NEW TALENT AND APCC TRAINEE ADVISER PROGRAMME

 

Investing in new talent is about more than recruitment. Firms need the right structures, development pathways and support to help new talent build successful, long-term careers. The New Talent Alliance will be launching a 'An Employer Guide to New Talent', providing practical guidance on recruitment, career pathways, employment models, training and mentoring.

 

Alongside this, APCC is launching their Trainee Adviser Programme which will help firms address one of the key challenges for trainee advisers: providing the supervision, coaching and regulatory oversight needed to progress towards Competent Adviser Status (CAS). Together, the two initiatives provide practical support for firms looking to invest confidently in the next generation of financial advisers.

‍‍NEW TALENT EMPLOYER AWARDS

 

The profession needs new talent. Is your firm part of the solution?

Help us highlight what's possible when firms invest in people. Enter the New Talent Alliance Employer Awards 2026 and share your success story.

The awards will celebrate firms that are actively investing in the next generation through recruitment, training, development and support.

Award categories include:

  • New Talent Employer of the Year - Recognising an organisation demonstrating a strong commitment to attracting, developing and retaining new talent.
  • Outstanding Career Development Programme - Recognising firms with structured pathways, training and progression opportunities.
  • Emerging Talent Champion - Recognising organisations that have recently launched initiatives creating opportunities for school leavers, graduates or career changers.

‍FREE GUIDE: 9 FACT-FIND QUESTIONS THAT UNCOVER WHAT MOST FACT-FINDS MISS

 

SENDA has created a short guide for advisers, with 9 questions to spot when a family needs a special needs planning lens, why each one matters and what to flag on file.

 

Download it for free

‍AI CAN RUN THE PORTFOLIO. IT CAN'T TAKE THE FIRST CALL FROM A GRIEVING FAMILY 

 

As firms automate more of the client relationship, the human moments matter more than ever. Only 47% of bereaved customers feel supported by their financial firm according to research for the FCA, and the regulator’s multi-firm review now has advisers, platforms and wealth managers in scope.

 

Get that first call right and you can help keep the family, and their wealth, for generations. Get it wrong and they can move on.

 

Our CPD-accredited training is at the heart of the Alliance's Intermediary Bereavement Standard. It's delivered in-house for whole teams, or through monthly open sessions for individual advisers, with £5 off for CDA members using the code CDA5. Get in touch to talk about training your team.

INTRODUCTING 24/7 CASE TRACKING ON THE JUST PORTAL

 

For financial advisers only, not for consumers.

 

We know how important it is for you to have quick and easy access to your annuity cases. For business submitted through the Just portal, we’ve launched our new case tracking feature, designed to give you a clear, real-time view of all your annuity cases whenever you need it.

 

It only takes a few minutes to set up, and once you're in, it's there whenever you need it.

 

Register or login to start submitting and tracking your cases.

 

Link: https://www.justadviser.com/business-services/just-portal/?utm_source=network&utm_medium=promo&utm_campaign=giflpromo_sep&utm_content=giflsli

‍PROTECTION GURU DIGITAL DIRECTORY


October's issue of the Protection Guru Digital Directory is now available.

 

This digital directory is a free service that helps advisers and those working in advise firms understand the protection market.

 

Read the October issue

ARE YOU DISPLAYING YOUR ALLIANCE DIGITAL BADGE?

 

NOT GOT YOURS YET? FIND OUT WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU

© 2026 The Consumer Duty Alliance.