The Association of IFAs (Aifa) has instigated a move on two fronts into the political arena with the...
The Association of IFAs (Aifa) has instigated a move on two fronts into the political arena with the establishment of its European Advisory Committee and the launch of its finance guide for MPs and their constituents.
The representative body has started the committee in order to offer advice to the European Commission in regards to policies originating from across the English Channel that affect IFAs in the UK.
The 60 page guide, which includes fact sheets and lists of organisations to aid individuals who need financial guidance, has been launched in conjunction with a group of trade associations known as the Financial Fringe.
Chris Cummings, director general at Aifa, stated the body had decided in 2007 to become more politically engaged. He said: "In the middle of last year, we decided that as a trade body we need to start advancing a more public policy agenda."
He added that the establishment of the advisory committee and the launch of the guide for MPs had been well-received both in Europe and in the UK.
Cummings said Aifa had a number of initiatives it was planning to implement throughout the year, including an examination of the effect of European regulation on British financial services companies.
He added: "We've got five public policy documents to be published over the year that say what we want to see in terms of regulation and public policy. It's ambitious but all political parties have been very receptive to it."
