Aifa’s Sinclair outlines staffing needs for independent Ami

Speaking after it was announced that Ami would split from the Association of IFAs, Mr Sinclair, who will become overall director of the independent body, said the only members of staff to transfer would be him and Alex Revell, who will work on policy.

Mr Sinclair said: “As we are the only two who were predominant workers in this area, we are the only ones who will move.

“The rest will remain with Aifa.

“We are going to move to a more outsourced model. Ami will use third party providers to do membership and accounting work. Any events will be done through a third party.

“We believe in the short term that this delivers a more cost-effective model.”

Mr Sinclair said the split had been considered in the last months of 2011. He said it would be up to Aifa to consider how it continues the strategic review announced by director-general Stephen Gay, who is himself stepping down.

Mr Sinclair said membership fees would remain the same. He said Ami would at first remain in the same office premises in London as Aifa but look to move in the next couple of months, possibly to Milton Keynes.

In a statement from the Ami, the Rt Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, chairman of Aifa and Ami, said: “Ami has grown significantly over the past five years, but it has also grown up. It is now a position to stand on its own two feet and be financially autonomous.

“The Aifa Council and Ami Board feel now is the right time for it to set out in its own direction.”

He added that Aifa is in a “strong position” following the changes it has made to the way the organisation is run.