MI_15-17_networks.qxd 22/1/09 15:06 Page 3
Networks | 15
Time to
move on
Ivan Martin, executive chairman of
Sesame, explains why he thinks it is
now time to look forward and rebuild
consumer trust in advice
I
f you allowed your destiny to be deter- financial advice. This past year has simply way they understand and by operating to a
mined based on everything that you served to confirm my passionate belief that our commonly understood and proportionate reg-
read in the papers, saw on the TV, profession is about to emerge as the standard ulatory framework. So, unpopular though it
heard on the radio, surfed on the web, bearer that begins to rebuild shattered con- may be in the present environment, there has
you would have been forgiven for sumer confidence in the financial services never been a more appropriate time to hammer
believing that the end was nigh. industry. home the twin principles of TCF and higher
A year ago I said that I believed our profes- professional standards. And this is important
But no matter how dark the future may appear sion was on the cusp of an historic opportunity because if those twin principles were the basis
and no matter how difficult our position may to become the architects of a new era in con- on which every financial services business had
be, I suggest to you all that a clear plan, execut- sumer confidence. A year later, I think the operated, our global economy would not be
ed with determination and skill, will enable us urgency and opportunity is even greater. where it is today.
to find our way through these times. So I I have listened to the arguments about why In some respects, the effects of the past
stopped reading the media coverage, turned off RDR and TCF should be put on the backburn- twelve months have been immediate and swift.
the TV, and, along with my team at Sesame, er in such an uncertain economic environment, But their legacy and how the history books will
just knuckled down and got on with it. and I understand why people would say that. I reflect on the echo of events in forthcoming
I drew the simple conclusion that there are have listened to the lambasting of banks - I years is a journey upon which all of us are only
things you can control and things you can't. have even played my part in it - and I under- just setting out. While there is much we can
Because it was clear to me that the winners and stand why people would do that as well. learn from the past twelve months, to dwell on
losers in this kind of climate are not deter- And I have listened to the endless specula- it would be a mistake. Hindsight is a wonderful
mined solely by market conditions; they are tion about whose fault it all is, or was, or thing but foresight is even better.
determined by how you choose to manage should be. Isn't it time for all of us, every one So it is time to move on. It is time to look
what you are able to manage. And whatever the of us - adviser, regulator, provider and con- forward.
immediate prospects for your business, it is sumer - to take personal responsibility and set- The publication of the FSA's interim feed-
possible to lay the foundations for success in tle for nothing less than professional integrity? back statement on RDR is crucially important
the future. for many reasons. It should be an opportunity
Consumer confidence to ensure that consumers have confidence in
Crossroads We will only regain consumer confidence by seeking professional advice on their money; it
I believe we are at an important crossroads for taking personal responsibility, by acting with should be an opportunity for all advisers to
the professional standing and reputation of integrity, by seeking to engage consumers in a stand shoulder to shoulder as equals with the
© Rrocio
www.mortgageintroducer.com February 2009 Mortgage Introducer
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57