Conversations
On Advice
Citywire in association with PIMCO have been virtually travelling the UK to bring together financial advisers and fund managers to explore what it means to talk to clients today. We listen to their stories and how they navigate the crisis, the stronger role of technology when it comes to engaging with old and new client and whether there is a solution to the advice gap. One conclusion of this journey is clear: financial advice is not and will never be just about business and planning ahead.
Discover how advice and investment professionals nurture their relationships with their clients and how the future of their work might look like.
Midlands
On changing perspective on advice and keeping trust as a fundament of clients’ relationships
Scotland
On keeping up communication in difficult times and learning how to talk about money
South East
On building financial advice relationships as friendships and how Zoom is not that bad after all
South West
On the need for financial education and advice reaching the professional status
North
On first impressions, retaining clients and the impact of their investments
Our second stop is Scotland
The Article
Advising in a ‘huge cloud’: keeping up with client communications in difficult times
The Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns across the UK have altered the way advisers are interacting with clients, however, the core of the profession has stayed the same: building relationships.
The Video
Book building: ‘One of the most difficult things financial planners have to do’
How do we get more people into financial advice? For some it is going back to basics, for others it includes more challenges along the way. Follow our Scotland stop in our financial planning tour with PIMCO.
Cross-country stars: How 20 Midlands advisers bond with their clients
As part of New Model Adviser’s regional Top 20s, we selected 20 firms in Scotland that we think are doing great work building bonds with clients. Our list looks at the firms that are championing great advice, especially during a year when every business has had to adapt and overcome a number of challenges.
The Panellists
Joseph McCurdy
VICE PRESIDENT & ACCOUNT MANAGER, PIMCO
Mr. McCurdy is a vice president in UK global wealth management based in the London office. He is responsible for overseeing the development of PIMCO’s business across the northern UK, focusing on wealth managers, multi-managers and financial advisers. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2018, he was an investment director at Standard Life Investments. He has 18 years of investment and financial services experience and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Dundee.
Richard Libberton
FINANCIAL PLANNER, THOMPSON COOPER
Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. 2020 marks Richard’s 30th year in financial services, having held various roles with major insurers, a boutique investment house and a national advice firm. Richard is presently the Chair of the Personal Finance Society’s Central Scotland Commitee.
Craig Hendry
MANAGING DIRECTOR, JOHNSTON CARMICHAEL WEALTH
Craig Hendry is Managing Director of Johnston Carmichael Wealth, a Chartered Financial Planning firm with offices across Scotland. Craig joined the firm in 2001 and is a chartered financial planner. He maintains close relationships with key clients to retain an understanding of the market and Johnston Carmichael Wealth’s relevance within it. Craig is a key advocate for promoting a strong positive culture within the business, in the belief that this creates the best outcome for the team and ultimately the clients. Their philosophy is simple: your goals and aspirations, our expert advice, enabling you to live life on your terms. A family man, he enjoys walking, golfing and watching his beloved Leeds United when possible.
David Oliver
PARTNER, SAM WEALTH
David Oliver is one of four partners in SAM Wealth LLP based in Uddingston outside Glasgow, looks after variety of professional, entrepreneurial & retired clients and their families. Works within a team of 15 to deliver investment and planning service to our clients. Interested in IHT planning, people exiting businesses, working with multiple generations, pension planning, tax efficiency and working out with clients what matters to them and then coming up with a plan that helps then get where they want to faster than they could do on their own. Outside of business: lives in countryside with his partner, has two kids, one dog, and likes cheap old tatty land rovers.
Keith Mackie
DIRECTOR, ACUMEN FINANCIAL PLANNING
Keith Mackie is a Director of Acumen Financial Planning, one of the leading independent firms in Scotland. A Certified Financial Planner, Keith joined Acumen Financial Planning in 2004 and was appointed a Director in 2014. Keith oversees the planner teams in Aberdeen and Elgin while continuing to serve his own clients. The multi award winning firm, features in the Top 100 NMA firms has been awarded the New Model Advisor (Scotland & NI) and the CISI Accredited Firm of the Year on several occasions. Acumen has been established for 18 years and currently has a team of 50 serving 1500 client households across Scotland with FUM of £550M.