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Advisers and industry leaders have expressed surprise over news Chris Cummings is to step down as director general of AIFA, as well as mixed reviews of his tenure.
Cummings will leave AIFA in August to become chief executive of TheCityUK.
Alan Lakey, partner at Highclere Financial Services and founder of the Adviser Alliance, says: "He did say some time ago he wanted a job at the Treasury and those who thought this was just a rung on the ladder of life for him also expected he would move on at some point.
"Whoever takes over must have an appetite for confrontation which Chris has failed to display over the last few years.
"Cummings and his predecessor were both political animals who preferred walking down the corridors of power and sitting down to lamb chops with the politicians.
"Unfortunately they were not so fond of laying down opposition to them on regulation."
Nick Cann, chief executive of the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP), says: "I think there are elements of the role Chris has done very well.
"It is an extremely difficult job to represent such a large and diverse group as IFAs.
"Chris is a very tenacious individual and he has mode some progress with the FSA over some of the issues including RDR and FSCS costs."
Fay Goddard, chief executive of the Personal Finance Society (PFS), says: "Chris has done an absolutely brilliant job and been a fantastic advocate for IFAs.
"He has given seven years in all, five with AIFA (two with AMI), and this is a big loss to the IFA industry. In my opinion, he has made some tremendous headway politically, with both the FSA and Treasury.
"His legacy is simple: he has changed the perception of IFAs among the regulators and consumers.
Amanda Davidson, former deputy chair of AIFA, says: "I can't believe he's going, he will be a hard act to follow.
"Many IFAs don't realise what a good and hardworking director general they have had in Chris. He has done a fantastic job.
"I have no concerns about finding a replacement as the team at AIFA are also incredibly hardworking. We may get some surprise applicants and I expect there to be lots of people coming forward for the role."
David Hickey, executive chairman of the Lighthouse Group, says: "Chris is a very able fellow who =has done a tremendous job and he will be sorely missed.
"He is a very easy man to work with, and one who can tread the balance between the commercial side of the job and the regulatory side on a very sure footed basis.
"Anyone following Chris' trail is going to need to be very capable."
Tony Shah, associate director of Christcurch Investment Management, says: "He will be a loss and its a shame to see him go.
"He has been a good figure head and will leave the organisation better."
Brett Davidson, chief executive of FP Advance , says: "Chris is a really good guy in a difficult role. At times he's got some flack but he has done a good job."
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Chris put body and soul into it
People who criticise Chris for being non-confrontational don't know him very well, I too used to be one of ones jumping up and down but I was using ammunition supplied by the extremist element out there. AIFA's role is not to bash people over the head or poke fun at the regulators, it works quietly behind the scenes. However there are instances when the wrong route has been followed. The fact that an IFA past or present cannot replace Chris is a bit of a worry because without some experience of regulation at the sharp end, or 'coalface' as Hector would put it, I imagine it would be difficult to see the fundamental flaws in regulation. Another are where AIFA could be bolstered is its PR, it has failed to communicate with IFAs on a level they can all understand, too many IFAs are unable to support it because they don't believe it does anything for them and until that issue is resolved it will continue its decline. Whether that is possible given the mentality of many IFAs is a moot point. Now that there is yet another major overhaul of regulation on the cards you must engage with the powers that be or be sidelined as you have each and every time in the past.
Posted by: Evan Owen