Well done, Michael Portillo, for his self-deprecating manner.
The former Conservative MP recently told a forum of IFAs how the moment of his demise – when he lost his Parliamentary seat, followed his home and his career in politics – was voted the third best moment of the 20th Century by Observer readers and Channel 4 viewers. He says Tony Blair even used a clip of that moment as part of the montage of highlights as he gave his parting speech last week. Portillo says: “If that was a highlight for Mr Blair, then I do feel very sorry for him indeed.” “I might not sound upmarket but I do have a silk hanky.” Positive Solutions executive chairman David Harrison.View more on these topicsNews
Short circuit
The sub-prime mortgage market was always expected to be the source of most problems after regulation but the FSA also has misgivings about the prime sector.
Prime Professions in PI deal for IFAs
A group of former Alexander Forbes directors has set up a professional indemnity brokerage for IFAs.
Prime Professions has been servicing the legal, accounting, construction and insurance professions for a year and is about to target financial services intermediaries.
The firm says it is launching to the IFA community on November 1 to coincide with the renewal date for most IFA contracts.
Prime says it will offer an indication of PI renewal terms without the need to complete a proposal form.
The firm has been added to the panel of brokers for insurance company Chubb.
Prime says it is the biggest threat in the market to rival companies PYV, NCG and First City’s non-network IFA business.
Managing director Duncan Philpott says: “We want to get back to talking to clients and moving away from the old-style values. People’s changing attitudes and a softer market bring the opportunity to make a difference.”
But PYV chief executive Neil Pointon says: “I would have thought that a new underwriter would have brought more value than a new broker. If I was an IFA, I would be very wary of a new firm without a proven book of business.”
Loansome traveller
Offshore mortgages: RBS International chief executive Ian Henderson explains to Philip Scott how he targets potential markets and why borrowers should be careful of speculating in foreign markets despite the lucrative deals often portrayed in TV property programmes
Is property starting to get shaky?
Property has become the increasingly favoured asset class for many investors over the last few years and money has been pouring into UK property funds.
The return of emerging markets
Ewan Thompson, Head of Emerging Market Equities, Neptune Although in political terms 2016 will be remembered for the seismic shocks of the Brexit vote and Trump’s presidential victory, the year was also a watershed for the global economy and emerging markets in particular. Following five years in the wilderness, the conditions are now in place […]
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Carl Lamb: Will the advice sector still exist in five years’ time?
I have recently completed training to become a certified money coach: it is an area we are developing to complement our traditional advice service. One of the exercises is to imagine you are floating in a small boat through time. We ask you to consider where you want to land and what you might find […]
Quilter to offer Level 6 qualification through adviser school
Quilter Financial Adviser School will now offer the Level 6 Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning as part of new offerings announced as it rebrands. Formerly called the Financial Adviser School, QFAS will offer the Level 6 qualification to the whole of market. The first cohort for the Level 6 programme began last week and includes […]
SJP directors increase stake in company
Two directors at St James’s Place have increased the shares they own in the company. SJP investments managing director David Lamb and partnership managing director Ian Gascoigne have both bought £8,996 worth of the company’s shares, according to a London Stock Exchange notice. Lamb and Gascoigne bought 993 ordinary shares of 15p each at a price of […]
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