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 third stop is the South East
The Article
A long-term commitment worth fighting for
Communicating during a crisis is a skill on its own. Feelings get mixed, messages can fluctuate and get misunderstood, and panic can overtake reason. Keeping a consistent conversation with clients about financial advice is already challenging in calm waters, let alone during a pandemic.
The Video
What’s the key to long-term relationship building?
We put the question to our panel of financial planners and advisers from the South East and got some enlightening responses. Also, what are the key obstacles in financial planning and what impact does technology have on the industry?
Championing the South East
As part of New Model Adviser’s regional Top 20s, we selected 20 firms in the South East that we think are doing great work building bonds with clients. Our list looks at the firms that are championing great advice, when every business has had to adapt and overcome a number of challenges.
The Panellists
Odumade Odutola
VICE PRESIDENT, ACCOUNT MANAGER, PIMCO
Mr. Odutola is a vice president and account manager in the London office, focused on UK global wealth management. He oversees the development of PIMCO’s business in London, focusing on wealth managers, multimanagers, and financial advisers. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2019, he was a vice president and business developer at Allianz Global Investors, where he covered UK intermediaries. Previously he worked for BlackRock within the strategic partnership and DC investment sales team. He has 13 years of investment experience and holds an undergraduate degree from Bristol Business School.
Richard Skerritts
MANAGING DIRECTOR, SKERRITTS
Richard has built Skerritt Consultants into one of the most influential financial services companies in the South East. Voted previously by a national newspaper as “IFA of the Year”, Richard writes regular columns in numerous national financial magazines and newspapers. Specialising in Pension Advice, Richard can cover the entire spectrum of this very complex area. He is very keen that the Company should contribute to the well-being of the Environment and works within the local community on many charitable projects.
Nathan Harris
FINANCIAL PLANNER, LOTHBURY PENDIL
A financial services degree from Bournemouth University provided Nathan with the perfect launch pad for his career in financial planning. Entering the IFA industry in 2000, Nathan then achieved the status of Chartered Financial Planner at the end of 2007. Ever since then he’s put his expert knowledge of pensions, investments and tax planning to use by providing first-rate financial planning. He has also achieved the designations of Fellow of the Personal Financial Society and Member of the Securities and Investment Institute.
Matthew Pescott Frost
MANAGING DIRECTOR, MATTHEW DOUGLAS
Matthew Douglas Limited was founded by Matthew Pescott Frost in 2003 and now employs 12 staff including 6 advisers providing independent financial advice to approximately 700 private clients advising on combined assets of £250M predominantly in the Eastern region. We traditionally work with other professionals supporting a growing number of small business owners to achieve their financial milestones and objectives. Matthew previously worked in London for Investec Bank and Timothy James & Partners. He graduated from Southampton University with a BA (Hons) in History and Politics in 1991, he is married to Rebecca, together they have three adult children all with a keen interest in sport and music.
