F&C to launch adviser campaign

The adviser support programme, which is subject to contractual agreement, will be launched through a series of regional seminars across the country in the first two weeks of March.

F&C will be providing advisers with a range of materials, training and support to help navigate their clients into the in, at and post retirement phases of their lives as part of the campaign.

This will include detailed case studies for different client circumstances, as well as advice guides covering various options, with the pros and cons when entering the decumulation retirement phase.

The firm has engaged Tony Wickenden from consultancy Technical Connection to provide input on the many technical and legislative requirements involved.

F&C will also be offering continuing professional development accredited training for advisers and a retirement related technical support service, which will be supported with input from Technical Connection when needed.

Advisers will be able to hear from Technical Connection on the key post-retirement changes and the advice opportunities this provides, as well as from F&C’s co-heads of multi-manager, Rob Burdett and Gary Potter, on how investments can help meet investors’ income needs as part of a drawdown strategy.

Rob Thorpe, head of UK sales at F&C, said that this is a market the firm feels it understands. “What we’ve found from speaking to a number of adviser firms is that they are still working through how they are going to advise their clients and the market place from April.

“We think there is a requirement for asset managers to understand the market more and demonstrate they understand the market more by working with financial advisers in terms of helping to navigate the changes.

“There will be other things that we will be looking at internally in terms of products and solutions as well. The key thing for us is being seen as a helpful partner for advisers in this space who can assist them in navigating the market and demonstrating support of them beyond just providing good products”

Mr Thorpe added that the post-retirement changes present a significant opportunity to both fund groups and advisers, as the new pension freedoms will create a massive demand for advice.

“However, it has become obvious to us that we need to support advisers in this market beyond just offering them strong investment products and solutions. Technical Connection has been providing support to the adviser community for many years and has earned a reputation as being an authority in the often complex world of pensions and drawdown.”

ruth.gillbe@ft.com