Role remains for asset consultants: Trafford-Walker


Forecasts predicting the demise of asset consultants in recent years are wide of the mark, a leading investment consultant says.
Speaking after Frontier Advisory was recognises as the leading innovator amongst investment consultants globally, for its Partner Platform, at the CIO Industry Innovation Awards in New York, Frontier's director of consulting, Fiona Trafford-Walker, said consumers backed the need for asset consultants, despite reports of their demise.
"In the last five or so years, people have forecast the demise of asset consultants, but talking to other consultants and investors from around the world the need for, and role of, consultants is as strong as ever," she said.
"That role just needs to evolve with the market… Consulting has always been about the calibre of people and the integrity and rigour of your processes.
"But now it's also about providing access to your thinking, collaborating on ideas with your clients, and providing sophisticated but simple to use technology."
Recommended for you
Sequoia Financial Group has declined by five financial advisers in the past week, four of whom have opened up a new AFSL, according to Wealth Data.
Insignia Financial chief executive Scott Hartley has detailed whether the firm will be selecting an exclusive bidder for the second phase of due diligence as it awaits revised bids from three private equity players.
Insignia Financial has reported a statutory net loss after tax of $17 million in its first half results, although the firm has noted cost optimisation means this is an improvement from a $50 million loss last year.
With alternative funds being described as “impossible” for fund managers to target towards advisers without the support of BDMs for education, Money Management explores the evolving nature of the distribution role.