Sants departure will not impact RDR - PFS

Author: Laura Miller
IFAonline | 09 Feb 2010 | 11:30

Categories: Regulation

Topics: FSA| PFS| Fay Goddard| Hector Sants| RDR

fay-goddard-60x80-jpg

Hector Sants' departure as chief executive of the FSA will have no bearing on the RDR, despite it coming just two years before the 2012 implementation deadline, the Personal Finance Society (PFS) says.

In his three year stint in the role during the worst financial crisis for 80 years, Sants had more important things on his mind than the RDR, preferring to delegate out work on the changes, says PFS chief executive Fay Goddard.

"Hector was not directly involved in the RDR, so no disruption to the timetable is likely. I do not expect any problems there," she says.

Goddard says she is not surprised Sants is choosing to leave in the Summer, given the continued uncertainty surrounding the impact on the FSA of a change of government at the next General Election.

"Hector stayed during a very difficult time, but Lord Turner is now taking the reins. I think it is the right time for him to leave, given the likely change of government. He has been very vocal against the Tories' proposed changes to the FSA."

Goddard believes the perfect candidate to replace Sants will be one who engages with stakeholders.

"The FSA needs someone like Lord Turner to connect with stakeholders, reassure them," she says.

"Improving the vital lines of communication between the regulator and those it seeks to regulate will be a key part of their job."

 

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Vested interests

Cynical perhaps but what will the PFS/CII do with all of those textbooks if the RDR simply withers on the vine.

Posted by: Philip Melville

09 Feb 2010 | 12:20
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Anonymous

While he thinks that he has been top, most IFAs will think that he has been a bottom. I only hope that he can go without us having to pay for a leaving party in the way we have had to do so for his predecessors.

Posted by: John Douglass

09 Feb 2010 | 12:39
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Change & the RDR

Does the RDR have a life of its own or is somebody - Dan Waters, perhaps - pulling the strings. Whether Adair takes a more hands on approach or whether a new temporary replacement is shoe-horned in the industry needs to wake up and realise that the RDR is far from set in stone. Of course, if we all sit back and say, "Oh well, that's that then", it really will steamroller its way through.

Posted by: Alan Lakey

09 Feb 2010 | 12:53
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Alan Lakey

I agree with Alan' comments - why as an industry are we, the IFA population, so laid back in allowing the FSA to dictate to us all of our futures. I agree with implementing better standards (RDR) but at what cost to us and the public. Are their not other ways to achieve this - Why are we not fighting back and disagreeing in unison rather than letting the FSA just impliment what they want. When do we gEt a choice of what we want! Other professions would not let this happen to them - Dont let this happen to US!

Posted by: Neil Williams

09 Feb 2010 | 13:12
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No choice

Asking why we allow the FSA to crush independent advice is like asking why Poland let the Nazis invade in 1939. The bullys rule the playground and the school staff don't want to know.

Posted by: Stuart Duncan

09 Feb 2010 | 13:24
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Diplomat Speak?

Does Fay Goddard really believe what she is saying or is it just "diplomat speak"?. It is not just Hector Sants for whom we have little or no respect it is the organisation that he represents that appals us. Are we in for a bout of post Blair cronyism?

Posted by: David Yorke

09 Feb 2010 | 14:13
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"Between those it seeks to regulate"

Would it not be better for the regulater to improve communications between themselves, the public and consumers? Spend some more time asking us what is needed. The cause of most of the problems has been too cosy a relationship with those it seeks to regulate i.e. banks and insurance compannies particular. Far too many ex bankers.

Posted by: John Smyth

09 Feb 2010 | 14:27
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Shabby "leadership", cowardice and vested interests

So, Hector Sants has decided to leave the ship BEFORE it is torpedoed! His "oversight" of the FSA has been a history of mismanagement and pandering to the vested interests of the banks and building societies; has he any concept of the very poor service and advice which is routinely offered by those two sectors? Certainly a growing number of my own clients are realising just how mediocre and biased the advice on offer in the typical bank branch is likely to be, coupled with the very temporary presence of the "advisor" before he or she is moved on within the system, with no reference to customers - Treating Customers Fairly should take into account the needs of those clients, rather than the commercial aspirations of the banks and building societies. Has Hector Sants or any of his subordinates ever stopped to ponder on that issue? Methinks not.

Posted by: chris sellers

09 Feb 2010 | 17:15
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