Abby Thomas, CEO and Chief Ombudsman at the Financial Ombudsman Service, has exited the organisation this week in a shock departure.

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Last year saw net retail fund outflows of £1.6bn, compared to much larger outflows of £26.9bn and £24.3bn in 2022 and 2023, according to data from the Investment Association.

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In this regular column for Financial Planning Today, our new columnist Carly Dunningham, chair of the CISI's Financial Planning Forum, shares some personal reflections on how planners can help clients coping with grief.


As Financial Planners, we play a vital role in our clients' lives, helping them navigate complex decisions.

Our profession demands clarity, focus and a deep commitment to addressing each client’s unique needs.

However, life can throw challenges our way too, and bereavement is one of the most profound. Balancing grief with being at your best for your clients can be incredibly challenging.

This is something I experienced first-hand following the loss of my mum this year. It has been a deeply upsetting time for me and my family, bringing a wave of complex emotions that have affected my focus, energy and ability to be present with others.

Grief is not something you can compartmentalise, and learning how to navigate these feelings has been essential for my personal and professional life.

Grief affects everyone differently. It can cloud judgment, sap energy, and disrupt focus - qualities critical to a Financial Planner’s role. Acknowledging and understanding these impacts is the first step to managing them effectively.

Being open with colleagues and management can also foster support.

While the instinct to "push through" might be strong, delegating tasks or adjusting workloads can help you meet client expectations without overwhelming yourself. These adjustments are not a weakness but a practical approach to maintaining professionalism.

Interestingly, personal grief can deepen empathy and strengthen connections with clients, especially those dealing with sensitive issues.

This is certainly something I have found and by navigating my own challenges, I feel I’ve become more compassionate towards others and better equipped to support them.


Carly Dunningham is a Chartered and Certified Financial Planner. She is the new Chair of the CISI Financial Planning Forum.

https://www.cisi.org

• This column first appeared in Financial Planning Today magazine, Jan-Feb 2025 edition. Carly's column appears in each issue of the magazine. You can subscribe to the magazine by registering for this website and then checking package options.


 

Derbyshire-based Financial Planning firm Belmayne has gifted over £8,000 to small local charities after a year of fundraising.

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Four in five financial advice firms reported increased turnover in 2024, with two thirds anticipating higher profits in 2025, according to a new report.

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The FCA has ruled out compensation or launching a criminal investigation into the £46m collapse of Blackmore Bonds despite complaints from investors.

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The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted 7 – 2 to cut the base rate to 4.5% today, in a widely expected move.

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Three in five investigations by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme result in no declaration of default by the body as firms can meet the costs of claims themselves, interim FSCS CEO Martyn Beauchamp has told Financial Planning Today editor Kevin O’Donnell in an exclusive interview.

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Financial Planning Today editor Kevin O’Donnell recently interviewed Financial Services Compensation Scheme interim CEO Martyn Beauchamp at his London HQ about how the organisation is dealing with new challenges and a changing regulatory environment. The full article appears in the latest issue of Financial Planning Today magazine. See below for a link to view the issue.

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Quilter Financial Planning, the advice network of wealth manager Quilter, has signed up four new appointed representative firms.

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