What happened to research?

There seems to be a whopping assumption in this story that Stephen Gay has worked at Aviva since he left school. In fact he hasn't been there that long and I had some dealings with him at Sesame (definitely not a life company last time I looked) not that many years ago. What happened to the 'investigation' bit of Investigative Journalism?

Posted by: Stanley Kirk

Well Done

As a man who has seen all sides of the industry - not just hiding in the ivory towers of the providers' managment structures, with many years of experience (I remember working with Stephen in London when I was still a scruffy teenager!), Stephen has seen this industry pushed and pulled through a series of regulators and changes and will bring a wealth of experience and common sense to this role! Congratulations Stephen - I believe in you! No pressure there then!! Harriet

Posted by: Harriet Mackenzie-Williams

Well Done

As a man who has seen all sides of the industry - not just hiding in the ivory towers of the providers' management structures, with many years of experience (I remember working with Stephen in London when I was still a scruffy teenager!), Stephen has seen this industry pushed and pulled through a series of regulators and changes and will bring a wealth of experience and common sense to this role! Congratulations Stephen - I believe in you! No pressure there then!! Harriet

Posted by: Harriet Mackenzie-Williams

Well Done

As a man who has seen all sides of the industry - not just hiding in the ivory towers of the providers' managment structures, with many years of experience (I remember working with Stephen in London when I was still a scruffy teenager!), Stephen has seen this industry pushed and pulled through a series of regulators and changes and will bring a wealth of experience and common sense to this role! Congratulations Stephen - I believe in you! No pressure there then!! Harriet

Posted by: Harriet Mackenzie-Williams

Well Done

As a man who has seen all sides of the industry - not just hiding in the ivory towers of the providers' managment structures, with many years of experience (I remember working with Stephen in London when I was still a scruffy teenager!), Stephen has seen this industry pushed and pulled through a series of regulators and changes and will bring a wealth of experience and common sense to this role! Congratulations Stephen - I believe in you! No pressure there then!! Harriet

Posted by: Harriet Mackenzie-Williams

Well Done

As a man who has seen all sides of the industry - not just hiding in the ivory towers of the providers' managment structures, with many years of experience (I remember working with Stephen in London when I was still a scruffy teenager!), Stephen has seen this industry pushed and pulled through a series of regulators and changes and will bring a wealth of experience and common sense to this role! Congratulations Stephen - I believe in you! No pressure there then!! Harriet

Posted by: Harriet Mackenzie-Williams

What we want to know is..

Many IFAs perceive they are fighting for their livelihoods and the continued ability to provide for their clients with the kind of service they have been doing over the last 20-30 years. What is needed is not a diplomat, seen many of those come and go have we not, but someone with experience at the front who has the drive, not because it's another role or stepping stone, but because they are passionate about IFAs as the top tier of customer advocate. We need a Churchill not a Chamberlain to represent us. Has Mr Gay IFA experience ? ... can I pretend to know what it's like to live on the front line just because I’ve watched a film about it ..I don’t believe one can ? In fact, given this is an IFA Assoc, can we know the IFA history of the senior people please, like we did for NFIFA ? Please let us see the full IFA CV of the senior staff. Please let us see the mandate that AIFA is now going to work on.. what are the main issues and what are the desired outcomes, from AIFAs viewpoint now ?

Posted by: Anonemouse

Stephen Gay

Who? My over-riding concern when Chris Cummings announced that he was leaving AIFA was how his successor would be chosen and by whom. I am no wiser, yet once again I am footing the bill; for who? with what qualities to represent me? How can Stephen Gay know IFA concerns from the pinnacle of AVIVA PROFLIGATE, EGO CENTRIC ORGANISATION THAT IT IS, or Sesame, an organisation that I know little about or Stephen Gay's role there. All I have is a name from nowhere, with what qualifications, who will now hold the future of my profession firmly in his hands. Stephen Gay, you had better be good. Terence P'O'Halloran Chartered Financil Planner

Posted by: Terence P.O'Halloran

who?

I too am concerned about how this appointment 'happened'. I don't seem to recall Mr Gay being a champion of the IFA. He may well be and in that case I apologise for my lack of knowledge about him. I don't think he has long to cut his teeth. If I was Mr Gay I'd be working my socks off for a bit.There's a load of stuff heading our way and some IFA's are already in the midst of it. Somebody needs to be the voice of the IFA...Can Mr Gay be it? I sincerely hope so.

Posted by: Roddy McKenzie