It started well, unlike the very first session, when I had forgotten to connect the laptop, so the battery faded after the first hour! Nick Edwards CFP^CM from Consultniks, took the floor, with an informative talk on the selection of wraps and the optimal solution that planners can consider from a tax point of view.
He also pointed out very clearly that advice is an extremely important part of any client's investment plan, in order to select the right asset allocation/funds and so on.
For those of you who are unaware, The Carriage Hall was an old goods shed for a now closed railway station (which has since turned into a lovely restaurant and banqueting hall). Unfortunately, we managed to have the only train this month pull up alongside, and which remained at a very noisy standstill for at least 20 minutes. The diesel fumes luckily dissipated after a while! Nick heroically managed to overcome this and continue to the end.

Our next speaker, John Craven, director of Exchange Traded Products at Société Générale, gave an extremely insightful talk on ETFs and some of the myths surrounding them. It was a very useful perspective for delegates looking to extend their knowledge in this key area ahead of RDR.
As we head closer to the January deadline when RDR proposals come into effect, we then had a show of hands as to who has applied for their Statement of Professional Standing. Surprisingly, only a small number had done so. A discussion then ensued about the dangers of leaving this too late and also of the benefits of using the IFP as our Accredited Body.
I am keen to get suggestions from members as to exactly what topics and speakers you would like to listen to at our meetings in 2012. Our next three sessions on 12 September, 7 November and 7 December all have excellent line-ups including Tracey Underwood, Tim Hale and Brett Davidson presenting among others. Make sure the dates are in your diaries and I look forward to hearing your ideas and welcoming you to the meetings soon.