Ken Davy, the founder and Chairman of The SimplyBiz Group is a true industry heavyweight and is greatly respected by across the financial services sector, and by other business leaders. Ken regularly shares his views on some of the pertinent issues shaping our landscape and provides a unique insight into some of the issues of the past and the future in the press. Read his most recent columns below:
In recent years, as far as financial advice is concerned, so much emphasis has been placed on getting the right qualifications that the vital importance of soft skills has been neglected.
When Dickens’ Oliver Twist famously said “Please, sir, I want some more”, every reader or audience member knew that there was plenty available and his need for ‘more’ should have been satisfied. I feel somewhat the same in respect of the outcome of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme review.
The government minister, Robert Jenrick, recently highlighted that the practice of ‘phoenixing’ can be deeply corrosive to public trust in the system which is progressively passed on to the whole of our economy. While this is undoubtedly true, what I find so depressing is that after all these years the debate had to take place at all.
I was invited to say a few words last week to the first group of 16 apprentices, beginning their two-year journey to becoming fully-fledged financial advisers through the New Model Business Academy’s Apprenticeship Programme.
Ken Davy considers the future of networks given recent court rulings on who carries liability for the actions of Appointed Representatives.
The song ‘Where have all the flowers gone?’ came to mind at a recent compliance conference I attended. It was held in the Great Hall of the Chartered Insurance Institute building, which features wonderful leaded windows emblazoned with the names of countless long-forgotten insurance companies. Where, indeed have all the insurance companies gone?
Helping young people grow and develop their careers is a responsibility I believe falls to us all. The recent National Apprenticeship Week, offered an opportunity to not only promote the option of apprenticeships to young people and employers, but also to celebrate the positive impact these schemes have already achieved.
I am not sure of the origins of the proverb: 'coming events cast their shadow before them', but, sadly, its truth is repeatedly played out, be it allegations of wrongdoing by charity workers, bankers or film producers.
In the mid-1970s, a couple of other financial advisers and I chartered a small plane and flew to Antwerp to explore a "special opportunity" we were offered to market investment-quality diamonds to our clients.
David Attenborough’s fantastic recent television programme Blue Planet II has focused on how the world is changing – and the impact is there for all to see. The same can be said of the world of financial services. Be it due to the continued march of technology or the equally remorseless march of regulation, we are facing continuous change.
The SimplyBiz Group plc, St Andrew's House, St Andrew's Road, Huddersfield HD1 6NA. Registered in England under Company No. 09619906.
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In recent years, as far as financial advice is concerned, so much emphasis has been placed on getting the right qualifications that the vital importance of soft skills has been neglected.
When Dickens’ Oliver Twist famously said “Please, sir, I want some more”, every reader or audience member knew that there was plenty available and his need for ‘more’ should have been satisfied. I feel somewhat the same in respect of the outcome of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme review.
The government minister, Robert Jenrick, recently highlighted that the practice of ‘phoenixing’ can be deeply corrosive to public trust in the system which is progressively passed on to the whole of our economy. While this is undoubtedly true, what I find so depressing is that after all these years the debate had to take place at all.
I was invited to say a few words last week to the first group of 16 apprentices, beginning their two-year journey to becoming fully-fledged financial advisers through the New Model Business Academy’s Apprenticeship Programme.
Ken Davy considers the future of networks given recent court rulings on who carries liability for the actions of Appointed Representatives.
The song ‘Where have all the flowers gone?’ came to mind at a recent compliance conference I attended. It was held in the Great Hall of the Chartered Insurance Institute building, which features wonderful leaded windows emblazoned with the names of countless long-forgotten insurance companies. Where, indeed have all the insurance companies gone?
Helping young people grow and develop their careers is a responsibility I believe falls to us all. The recent National Apprenticeship Week, offered an opportunity to not only promote the option of apprenticeships to young people and employers, but also to celebrate the positive impact these schemes have already achieved.
I am not sure of the origins of the proverb: 'coming events cast their shadow before them', but, sadly, its truth is repeatedly played out, be it allegations of wrongdoing by charity workers, bankers or film producers.
In the mid-1970s, a couple of other financial advisers and I chartered a small plane and flew to Antwerp to explore a "special opportunity" we were offered to market investment-quality diamonds to our clients.
David Attenborough’s fantastic recent television programme Blue Planet II has focused on how the world is changing – and the impact is there for all to see. The same can be said of the world of financial services. Be it due to the continued march of technology or the equally remorseless march of regulation, we are facing continuous change.