Evan Owen applies for Aifa top job
Share
Former IFA Defence Union chairman Evan Owen has applied for the director general role at the Association of Independent Financial Advisers, to replace Chris Cummings.
Cummings will leave Aifa in August to become the first chief executive of TheCityUK, a new, independent membership body for promoting the UK-based financial and professional services industry. Aifa has formed an appointments committee being chaired by John Gummer.
Association of Mortgage Intermediaries director Robert Sinclair is expected to apply for the job.
Owen says his commitment to championing the importance of independent advice makes him the best candidate.
He says: “Nobody is more committed to the provision of independent advice. I do not believe Aifa members want a diplomat or administrator, they want someone who will challenge the regulator.”
If you enjoyed this article, sign up here to receive daily email updates from Money Marketing and Follow @_moneymarketing
View results 10 per page | 20 per page
Readers' comments (18)
A Nony Mouse | 9 Jul 2010 8:56 am
Back in August 2005, David Kenmir refused to allow the staff at the FSA to deal with Mr Owen due to the IFADU having
"“a consistently hostile approach to what the FSA is trying to achieve”.
I do not believe Mr Owen's attitude will do the industry any favours and he would not be getting my vote.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Simon Webster | 9 Jul 2010 9:23 am
Time for Gary Heath mark II?
The complacent fat cats at the FSA are cut off from reality. While sadly there are still too many rogues out there, what the FSA does about it costs money, time, and reams of paper and achieves precisely nothing. Which is why there are still rogues out there...and teh RDR won't change very much. So may be it really is time for someone a little more hard hitting.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 9 Jul 2010 10:06 am
I think Evan or Alan Lakey would be ideal for this job. It's time we all started to come together to help shape the direction this industry is going in, it should not be left to a power hungry, mis-directed regulator to cause the sector to implode, so the banks can move it.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Sandra Urquhart | 9 Jul 2010 11:37 am
Go Evan!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 9 Jul 2010 11:48 am
I remember Evan fighting DBS and he stands head and shoulders above the rest.How many of the others have put in as much time,effort and personal cash into supporting independents?
Good onya Evan.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Julian Stevens | 9 Jul 2010 11:49 am
Whilst Evan's commitment to the IFA cause is not in question, what is doubtful is whether he has the right measure of diplomatic skills.
Then again, does it really matter in practice? The FSA ignores what it doesn't want to hear and if someone comes on too strong, it [the FSA] just slams down the shutters.
Is AIFA really worth what we pay to support it, not least the big salary of its DG? It would be interesting to see a schedule of just what AIFA has actually achieved for us over the past three years. Earnest negotiations are one thing but if they yield no meaningful results because the FSA doesn't have to give ground on anything it doesn't want to, then what's the point?
We may as well all get the hell out to another regulatory jurisdiction and passport back in to the UK.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
cortesin | 9 Jul 2010 12:25 pm
Both would be ideal candidates, I am not sure if Alan would want it but I think he would support Evan if he did get it. They do have the potential to rock two boats that really need rocking- the FSA and AIFA.
So AIFA, if they both applied would the choice be dictated by member concensus or behind closed doors?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 9 Jul 2010 12:39 pm
Evan will not have the respect of the FSA due to his past run ins with them. David Kenmir eventually refused any FSA staff to deal with him.
We need a strong voice, but equally we need someone that will command respect.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Phil Castle | 9 Jul 2010 1:11 pm
I'll repeat the first part of what Julian said "Evan's commitment to the IFA cause is not in question, what is doubtful is whether he has the right measure of diplomatic skills."
He has been a lot more diplomatic in the last two years than before. The aggressive stance was neccessary before due to the FSAs unwillingess to see reason combined with the passive nature of many IFAs (many of whom didn't even know what the longtsop was, let alone the fact it was being ignored until they heard of IFADU) and bodies like AIFA who do their best to walk a tightrope, which sometimes they fall off (hence why I actually think Chris Cummings did the best job he could under the circumstances).
Can Evan been seen as a mender of bridges now? Let's see a candidate list and then decide afetr that who we best think suits things based on those who put themselves forward. Evan is an acceptable candidate to me, but there may be those better placed willing to stand, so let's wait and see....
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Simon Kershaw | 9 Jul 2010 1:13 pm
I would like to propose Harry Katz for this position.
He has the ability to fight our corner without losing sight of the diplomacy required.
How about it Harry?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment