When I was in my early teens Friday night was movie night at home. My brother and I would head down to Blockbuster Video and pick up a film to watch on VHS, often recommended by the guy behind the counter.

I have written before about my concerns about the way the Financial Ombudsman Service is reaching decisions in cases involving SIPPs and SIPP investments and the implications for SIPP providers and advisers.

In my article for Financial Planning Today earlier in January I questioned just how “fair and reasonable” are the decisions being reached by the Financial Ombudsman Service - particularly in relation to historic events involving SIPPs and SIPP investments.

In my last article I questioned just what is “fair and reasonable” when it comes to regulation. This was prompted by a recent FOS determination involving a complaint by a Mr T. against Rowanmoor Pensions.

The news of Hartley Pensions appointment of administrators may not have come as a huge surprise given the recent restrictions imposed on them by the FCA but I believe it is of great significance for the world of SIPPs.

When I switched from accountancy to financial advice in 1987 the landscape was dominated by a few very large salesforces.

Confidence in politicians has taken a knock lately.  Perhaps they would welcome the chance now to redeem their reputation and demonstrate they can be trusted to uphold important promises made to their constituents.

This week wealth manager St James's Place announced the launch of a bold new logo and rebrand but I wonder if the coming changes will go deeper and be even bolder?

One of the key roles of a Financial Planner is to assess clients’ appetite for investment risk. Selecting investments is nigh on impossible without this and a major industry has grown up around client risk profiling.

If there is one 'engine' which has transformed the financial advice profession over the past 10 years it is the professional bodies. The 30th anniversary celebrations this week for the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment reminded me of the incredible transformation of the sector in recent years and how much of that is due to the professional bodies.