Your IndustryJul 13 2016

Diary of an adviser: Blair Cann

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Now, many years later, I have no problems with Mondays, which I usually spend working from home. I still get calls as I leave my home number on the answerphone in the office. Today, I need to prepare my review papers for two meetings due in the next few working days. Usual tasks: rebalancing, 12-month performance of each fund and checking clients’ circumstances.

Tuesday

I am in the office today, so I deal with emails and post. I delete many of the emails (spam) but I always read Kevin Carr’s missives. We go back quite a way as at one time he was my back-up in the office when we both worked for CU Life. Very pleased to see how well he has done.

Later on in the morning, a client appears. Certain policies arranged before she came to us are causing problems for her as the provider (a bank) has now ceased to give advice. She does not understand the material they have now sent her. Her conversation with the provider ended when she was asked “what do you mean, a will trust?” When I have read the papers, it transpires that the investment bond she has held for 10 years with them has achieved a growth rate of 8 per cent. No, not per annum – in total. I feel a change of provider might be sound advice.

Wednesday

Wayne, a fellow IFA and another colleague of mine from CU Life days, has referred a client – a potential pension transfer. She is 53 and is terminally ill. All IFAs will know the problems which such cases can bring; we all do the best we can for all our clients, but in this situation the desire to help becomes almost obsessive. I hope that, for once, the scheme administrators respond quickly.

I complete the review papers for Friday’s meeting and then assess the information my former colleague mentioned above has sent me. I will need more.

Thursday

Today is a somewhat truncated day. I am at hospital for a three-month check-up after a fairly serious operation in March. After tests, the consultant calls me in and announces he is delighted at the progress I have made and the success of the operation. Despite the fact that this is entirely down to the dedication and skills of the hospital staff, I have a curious feeling of pride on being given this news.

I catch up on continuing professional development in the afternoon.

Friday

I am stunned by the referendum result. My younger son blames all the old people. He swears never again to read a newspaper that supported Brexit. I am going to miss the Daily Mail, but probably not a lot.

A review goes well, the client is very pleased with the outcome. Information regarding a further potential pension scheme transfer referral arrives and, unlike the terminally ill lady, this exercise clearly now indicates the default position, namely that the benefits should be left where they are.

The printer promptly packs up and defies all my efforts to repair it, leaving me with two unused ink cartridges – a disappointing end to the week. Still, I have the England game on Monday to look forward to.

Blair Cann is a certified financial planner and senior partner of M Thurlow & Co based on Hertfordshire