02/10/19

BREXIT: New FEIFA Board is Ready.

As published on internationalinvestment.net, Wednesday October 2, 2019.

At last week's AGM of the Federation of European Independent Financial Advisers (FEIFA), David Vacani was elected as a new member of the Federation's Board, as the organisation looks to help its members navigate the twin issues of Brexit and significantly increased regulation.

"David has a wealth of experience, both in the UK and across Europe," FEIFA CEO Paul Stanfield explained. "He had been co-opted onto the Board a few months ago and is now formally a member of the Executive. He has already proven to be an excellent addition, providing additional perspectives to our operations."

Vacani is managing director of Beacon Global Wealth Management, which is active in a number of European countries.

"Given the uncertainties around Brexit, and the tsunami of regulation in recent times we feel that, now more than ever, active trade bodies are a necessity for the advisory sector."

Apart from Vacani, it is very much business as usual. The FEIFA membership chose to re-elect the existing Board members, feeling that they were best placed to continue the extensive work of the non-profit trade association.

John Westwood, managing director and founder of the Blacktower Group, remains in the role of Chairman, with Chris Marriot continuing to act as his vice chairman and treasurer.

"I am looking forward to the challenges ahead, particularly as the UK and the rest of Europe face the prospect of Brexit and all the change that this may bring about for the financial services sector," Westwood confirmed.  "FEIFA exists to benefit members and consumers alike, and aims to ensure both are protected under the stringent legal and regulatory framework in place for our industry. As the UK's withdrawal from the EU progresses, albeit slowly and somewhat chaotically, financial advisers will be at the forefront in helping to ensure that consumers' financial dealings are secure."

"I would like to thank the re-elected Board members for all of their hard work over the last three years and look forward to working with them again, along with David as well now, of course," FEIFA CEO Paul Stanfield commented.

"Given the uncertainties around Brexit, and the tsunami of regulation in recent times, we feel that, now more than ever, active trade bodies are a necessity for the advisory sector. We are the only entity that is solely focused on supporting and representing the pan-European English-speaking advice profession and we will thus continue to do this in a conscientious and hard-working manner."