Findings from Meeting of Minds Winning Advisers South

Introduction:

The 29th Meeting of Minds - Winning Advisers took place on Thursday 5 October 2023 in person. This document summarises the key issues raised in the topics discussed during the roundtables that took place, in which participants enjoyed access to strategic insight, active involvement in shaping the industry and networking at the highest level. The Meetings are Chatham House and thus participants are encouraged to speak openly and frankly and share insights and learning in the knowledge that any comments they might make will be non-attributable.

The Format:

A Meeting of Minds - Winning Advisers is a biannual strategic forum organised by Owen James. It is an opportunity for some 60 plus owner managers of independently spirited IFA firms to come together with product and service providers keen to engage with them on a strategic level. These Meetings provide a neutral environment where they can examine industry issues, opportunities and develop business strategies to address them.

Each is a blend of roundtable sessions addressing a pre-researched and pre-agreed agenda with open discussion led by objective and professional facilitators; keynotes provided by external speakers whose remit is to spark debate and encourage fresh and original thinking; plus structured networking.

The Sponsors:

We would like to thank all our sponsors whose financial contribution enabled the Meeting to take place. The following groups took part in this Meeting and their motivation for taking part was threefold:

To be, and to be seen, as being supportive of the industry;
To understand the stresses and strains being placed on the industry and, where possible, respond to them; and
To talk openly with these business leaders with a view to ensuring that their businesses are strategically aligned.

The Facilitators:

We would also like to thank our facilitators. The roundtables are key to the success of A Meeting of Minds and integral to that role are our facilitators.

We are very grateful for the help of Ben Wright, Chief Innovation Officer & Director of Progress, Melo; Paul Miles, Founder, Silverback Consultancy; John Chapman, Director, Catalyst Partners; Don Wild, Founder, Wild Ochre Consulting; Sam Shaw, journalist and consultant; Michael Lawrence, Principal Consultant, Bovill; Helen Clark, Owner and Director, Mint Blue Consulting and Roderic Rennison, Partner, Catalyst Partners.

Their role was to ensure that the roundtables maintained their focus and to encourage participation from all.