With no disrespect intended to Andreas Petrou and any of the surviving ‘old guard’ (FA, 19 November) giving any advice is not enough on experience alone.
I myself am old guard, starting in 1971 and still in full harness. I have a shedload of experience but all that counts not a jot when it comes to giving advice on say, pensions freedom. Working for the higher level qualifications at age 64 was hard but necessary, not just for the qualification itself but also for the knowledge. CPD forces us to build on those qualifications and keep the knowledge current.
As for the analogy of the local chemist – laughable. If I want something for my nasty cold I browse the shelves, read the labels and make my choice. The highly qualified pharmacist in the back of the shop would not spend hours discussing the options on my sniffles. Anyway, how would he expect the ‘old guard’ to be remunerated? It still comes back to fees that the mass market will not pay. Also, who will then pay the price when the consumer is mis-advised through well-meant, but incorrect, advice?
Gary Pashley
Director,
GLD Associates,
Llanishen,
Cardiff
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