In association with our Founder Sponsors

ABOUT THE SUCCESSION ALLIANCE

The Succession Alliance launched under the banner of the Consumer Duty Alliance in March 2026 to improve the quality, consistency and professionalism of succession in all forms across the financial planning profession. Its purpose is to bring together a representative group of industry participants to identify good practice, address poor market behaviours, and develop profession-led standards that improve succession outcomes for business owners, their team and clients.

The Succession Alliance Board is chaired by Ben Wright, Chief Innovation Officer at Melo. Find out more about the Succession Alliance Board.

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About The Cross Border Alliance

The Cross Border Alliance (CBA) has been established as a forum to identify and create good practices for handling UK citizens or residents who work/live globally and have cross-border assets and advice/planning needs. Its mantra and overriding purpose is “Continuity of Advice- wherever you live.”

The CBA will support the delivery of its objectives by:

• Engaging with key stakeholders, including professional bodies, trade bodies, regulators, government departments, policymakers, consumer bodies, and providers active in the cross-border markets to influence the development of good practice and shared information to best support more global consumers needing consistent and long-term financial advice.
• Coordinating input from firms operating across the financial planning distribution chain (including distributors, product providers and other key participants such as unregulated service providers) to identify opportunities to deliver better outcomes for consumers and better information to advisers.
• Providing information and guidance (based on shared good practice) around working with cross-border consumers, specifically aimed at most smaller brokerages across the UK who struggle with getting significant legal advice but need to support long-term clients or advise on UK assets for those living or working outside the UK.
• Advising on FCA initiatives that impact cross-border advice and UK assets, investment and plan.
• Liaising with the Federation of European Independent Financial Advisers (FEIFA) - a non-profit organisation that represents and supports financial advisers operating in Europe.

Useful articles 

Why UK financial advisers need to think beyond borders (even when their clients live in the UK)

As families become more internationally mobile, cross-border awareness is no longer a niche skill - it’s becoming a core competency for modern financial planning, writes Jane Hodges in this LinkedIn article.

Current FCA Cross-Border Guidance for firms

Considerations for firms after the transition period

The FCA explains how the end of the UK–EU transition period (31 December 2020) affects UK and EEA firms, including passporting, regulatory obligations, data transfers, and customer communications. It also outlines what firms should already have done and what they must continue to do.

The Berne Financial Services Agreement

This is a new mutual‑recognition framework between the UK and Switzerland. It makes it easier for UK and Swiss firms to provide certain cross‑border financial services to each other’s wholesale and sophisticated clients.

The agreement took effect on 1 January 2026, and the FCA and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) jointly published guidelines (PDF) to assist firms that are considering providing services under the BFSA. 

Other useful information

Reverse Solicitation & Temporary Permissions Post‑Brexit

This booklet provides an overview of how UK financial services firms can continue to provide regulated services in EU countries following Brexit, focusing on two main mechanisms:

1. Temporary permissions / run‑off regimes
2. Reverse solicitation

The booklet includes:

• • A comparative table showing which countries offer temporary permissions and recognise reverse solicitation
  • Country‑by‑country summaries outlining current rules for banking, insurance, and investment services

Reverse solicitation and temporary permissions may offer limited, short-term routes for UK firms to serve EU clients post Brexit but firms must take a cautious, evidence based approach and should not assume consistency across EU Member States as different Member States attach different conditions.

Servicing clients in the EU post‑Brexit

This PIMFA guidance explains how Brexit has changed UK firms’ ability to service clients based in the EU. With passporting no longer available and no retail investment equivalence regime in place, firms now face country‑specific regulatory requirements.

The document outlines the limited options available, including establishing an EU presence, working with EU‑authorised firms, transferring clients, or relying on reverse solicitation — which is cautioned against as a general approach. It highlights the importance of engaging with local EU regulators and recognising that regulatory expectations continue to evolve.

The ESMA statement ESMA35-43-2509

ESMA’s “Public Statement – Reminder to firms of the MiFID II rules on ‘reverse solicitation’ in the context of the recent end of the UK transition period”, dated 13 January 2021,

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) issued this statement to remind firms of the strict rules under MiFID II governing reverse solicitation — when an EU client initiates investment services from a non‑EU firm entirely on their own initiative. ESMA is reinforcing that reverse solicitation is a narrow exemption, not a loophole. Firms cannot rely on disclaimers to avoid EU authorisation requirements, and any marketing activity in the EU disqualifies the use of reverse solicitation.

Eversheds Sutherland client briefing summarising the ESMA January 2021 public statement and its implications for UK firms

This remains a useful explanation of the ESMA statement. Eversheds warn that UK firms without EU authorisation risk civil, administrative or even criminal action if they are seen to be soliciting EU clients. Firms relying on reverse solicitation should review their procedures, record‑keeping and marketing to ensure they are not inadvertently promoting services in the EU. However, reverse solicitation remains a legitimate route under both EU and UK law, and UK firms may provide services where an EU client genuinely initiates the contact on their own exclusive initiative.

RAISING STANDARDS TOGETHER

The 2025 series of five regional conferences with the FCA generated fantastic feedback:

• 994 attendees
• 91% likely to recommend the event to a colleague
• 95% intend to make changes based on the FCA sessions.

New events for 2026

We aim to build on this success in 2026 and are delighted to announce a new programme for the year ahead. These offer the same direct interaction with the FCA, alongside real‑world insights from expert practitioners and subject specialists. And all are free-to-attend with at least four hours of CPD.

Dedicated to the dynamics and needs of directly authorised firms and appointed representative firms, the day’s content is focused on sharing good practice, helping firms evolve and achieve greater success.

As well as the ability to interact directly with the FCA, these events also offer opportunities to network with other financial professionals and our professional partners.

The next event is shown below, spaces are limited and filling fast. Reserve your seat asp!

• Exeter - Sandy Park: Thursday, 21 May

Click on the bar below to learn more about the event agenda.

Thanks to our Conference Partners for their support

Just

Just is the UK’s leading providers of specialist financial services solutions, completely focused on meeting the needs of people thinking about, approaching, or in retirement. We provide products and services to help our customers achieve a better later life and believe that financial intermediaries are best placed to help people with the choices they need to make to achieve this.

We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with the Consumer Duty Alliance again this year. These events offer a great opportunity to connect with Alliance members who share a commitment to good practice and positive customer outcomes, as well as with industry experts and the FCA.

Legal General

Established in 1836, L&G is one of the UK's leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with £1.1 trillion in total assets under management.

L&G’s Retail business helps create brighter financial futures for all our customers. The division covers the savings, protection and retirement needs of our c.12.8 million retail policyholders and workplace members.

As Foundation Affiliates of the Consumer Duty Alliance, we’re a proud partner of the regional conferences. We look forward to meeting you and discussing the role of guaranteed income in retirement planning.

albermarle

Albemarle is a trusted investment management partner for independent financial advisers. With a disciplined, academically robust approach, we're committed to enhancing advisers' propositions, supporting long-term business growth, and delivering consistent outcomes for clients. Albemarle strives to provide excellent service, ensuring value for money without compromising on quality.

Partnering with the Alliance supports our commitment to upholding the FCA’s Consumer Duty, placing client outcomes at the heart of our proposition and governance processes.

Request a copy of Investors' Guide to Markets, designed to help advisers have better client conversations.

BNY

BNY's goal is to build and manage investment strategies that meet the ever-changing needs of our clients. BNY Investments’ model offers specialist expertise from our forward-thinking seven investment firms, with solutions across every major asset class, backed by the strength, scale and proven financial stewardship of BNY.

The past decade has seen a wave of economic, political, and regulatory change, and we're excited to partner with the Alliance on these events to hear how we can help support financial advisers to navigate changing environments and assist them in delivering the client and commercial outcomes they are seeking.

Download our latest Retirement Advice Report.

Brooks Macdonald

Brooks Macdonald Group plc is a leading UK wealth management firm, headquartered in London. Since its founding in 1991, the company has grown to manage over £18 billion in client assets, as of March 2025. Brooks Macdonald offers a range of innovative investment solutions, including bespoke and managed portfolio services, financial planning, and responsible investment options.

Committed to exceptional client service and strong personal relationships, Brooks Macdonald looks forward to active participation in the Alliance's national events and working groups. This involvement aligns with their dedication to sharing best practices and navigating pivotal regulatory and commercial changes in the industry.

CISI

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) is a global professional body that sets the highest standards of professional excellence in a broad range of financial services disciplines.

For over 30 years, we have promoted integrity and improved individual standards of knowledge, skills, and behaviour both in the UK and internationally, enhancing public trust in financial services since emerging from the London Stock Exchange in 1992. Our membership provides access to a top-notch continuous personal development program, networking, and events for flexible learning that supports career progression, along with a range of respected, high-quality qualifications.

Foresight

Foresight Group, founded in 1984 and now a FTSE 250 company with an AUM of over £13Bn, is an Investment Manager specialising in the Tax-Efficient space and Infrastructure. With offices across the UK, Europe and Australia, we leverage our global expertise to drive best outcomes for our clients and valued partners. This could be via our suite of OEIC’s, VCT’s or our market leading Inheritance Tax Solution.

As Consumer Duty continues to take centre stage for advisers, we’re committed to supporting best practice and helping to prevent foreseeable harm to investors.

NSI

NS&I is committed to supporting the financial advice industry in looking after the finances of many high-value consumers. Currently, 1.6 million NS&I clients have £50,000+ invested, and 13,000+ have over £1 million, with many seeking financial advice at some point.

All NS&I savings products are 100% secure, backed by HM Treasury. Premium Bonds are our flagship product, but we also offer ISA, fixed-term and easy-access saving products.

Partnering with the Consumer Duty Alliance on these events allows us to engage directly with advisers in different areas of the UK and gain a better understanding of common concerns, with the opportunity to collectively address them.

Quilter

Quilter is pleased to partner with the Consumer Duty Alliance, recognising that Consumer Duty is pivotal to our success. This transformative regulatory shift ensures that customer interests are deeply embedded in our company's culture and operations.

Our commitment shines through in Quilter's financial planning, where we offer high-quality advice and bespoke investment solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of our customers, fostering compliance with new standards and enhancing trust and transparency.

Schroders

Schroders are a leading provider of active asset management, advisory and wealth management services. Recognised as a leader in sustainability. Few investment managers can match the combination of capabilities and global reach that we offer. We are responsible for over £823.7 billion (as at 31.12.25) of assets for our clients.

Our breadth of services across public and private markets allows us to design distinctive solutions for the diverse needs of clients. They look to us to provide excellent long-term investment outcomes, and it is our duty always to act in their best interests. That is a responsibility we take seriously – and we believe that when we succeed for clients, society and the wider world benefit too.

Simply Biz

Simplybiz is the leading provider of technology, business, and regulatory support to the UK retail financial services industry, helping financial professionals operate more effectively and deliver better outcomes for consumers.

Supporting thousands of intermediaries, our end-to-end platform connects and enables the sector to help it evolve to its greatest potential. Driven by our belief in the value of professional financial advice, we exist to help intermediaries create better consumer outcomes.

We look forward to speaking to as many of you as possible at the Alliance conferences, sharing ideas, best practice, and insight as we work towards our shared goal of shaping a better financial future for all.

Vanguard

Vanguard is a different kind of investment company, founded in the United States in 1975 on a simple but revolutionary idea: that an investment company should manage its funds solely in the interests of its clients.

This is a philosophy that has helped millions of people around the world to achieve their goals with low-cost, uncomplicated investments.

We stand for value to investors and partnering on these events allows us to engage first-hand with advisers and work together on supporting clients to reach their goals.