Vanguard has a long association with the USA’s Financial Planning association (FPA).

The FPA is the “sister” organization of the IFP and this relationship has been a great foundation for Vanguard’s launch in the UK. Our alignment with the IFP and its members comes from our mutual belief that putting the client at the centre of our values and actions is the only enduring driver of success.

The Vanguard group’s client-owned structure means this has always been the case with us. We are proud to be associated with Financial Planners who share those values and behaviours.

We’re particularly pleased to be lead sponsor of the IFP annual conference in this, the IFP’s 25th anniversary year. They say Rome wasn’t built in a day but we’re sure there are a good number of firms who are grateful for the support and encouragement from fellow CFP^CM professionals, as they approach the post-RDR environment with confidence in their businesses.

In our drive to support advisers, we’ve recently created an online risk profiling tool that reflects best practice and takes close account of the FSA’s recent proposed guidance on assessing suitability. Alongside the tool we have also published an extensive adviser guide to developing client risk profiles, available free to Financial Planners.

Concurrent with launching the tool and publishing our guide to risk profiling, we’ve launched a range of risk-rated, pre-set allocation funds of funds, built using our existing range of index funds. The five funds, called LifeStrategyTM Funds are designed to provide advisers straightforward, easy-to-use portfolios as an all- in-one portfolio, or as a core investment, depending on the client requirements. The funds are made up of different blends of global equities and uK bonds, ranging from 20 per cent to 100 per cent equities to reflect different levels of historical risk.

You can find details of the risk profiling tool, guide to risk profiling and the Vanguard LifeStrategyTM fund range by visiting the financial adviser section of our website: www.vanguard.co.uk