Angus Scrace
Director, ARCS Solutions Ltd
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because there are still far too many instances of hubris, excess and selfishness at the highest levels of management in an industry that keeps professing that that it is acting in the best interests of all its investors."
Alex Varley-Winter
Head of Investigative Reporting and Media Relations, Transparency Task Force
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because of the public interest."
Alister Sneddon
Senior Product Manager - Investments, CMC Markets
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because restoring customers trust in us is to the benefit of both users and businesses. Success comes from truly solving a customers issue and being open about it."
Ben Goldby
Principal Associate, Gowling WLG
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because trust is essential and is being erroded."
Chris Connelly
Principal Consultant, Aquila Heywood
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because we look after other people’s money and therefore their futures. It’s as simple as that.”
Denis Kilroy
Managing Partner, The KBA Consulting Group
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because being in business is an opportunity to create wealth by being of service to society, not an opportunity to appropriate wealth at the expense of non-shareholder stakeholders. Transparency is an important defence against wealth appropriating behaviour"
Dr Kara Tan Bhala
President and Founder, Seven Pillars Institute for Global Finance and Ethics
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because transparency is a pro-ethical condition that enables us to fulfil our fiduciary duty and to achieve justice and the common good. Assiduous transparency yields continuous trust.”
Erik Conley
Founder, Zen Investor
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because, as Vanguard founder John Bogle says: ‘the tyranny of compounding costs takes about two-thirds of the gains clients make. The client puts up 100% of the capital, and takes 100% of the risk, but only gets one-third of the return.’ Something is very wrong with our financial system. Investors deserve to know exactly what they’re buying and how much it will cost, today and over time.”
Gary Savery
Member, Henley Retirement Benefit Scheme
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because of the high demand in policing our pension schemes"
Gavin Palmer
Managing Director, Waddon Court Properties Ltd
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because trust and being your word as my bond generates win-win situations. Without transparency in the internet world reputations will be shredded with their organisations.”
Henry Tapper
Director, First Actuarial & Founder, Pension PlayPen
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because people want to know what they’re buying. We cannot be trusted. Our system depends on trust and fiduciaries managing our money. Until people consider themselves investing in a trustworthy way – we will remain untrusted. Transparency is the only way to break this vicious circle.”
Iain Cowell
Head of Investment Solutions; UK & Ireland, Allianz Global Investors
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because sharing clear and understandable disclosures will drive positive innovation and can empower the customers of the industry to improve their long-term outcomes.”
JB Beckett
Author, New Fund Order and Assoc. of Professional Fund Investors
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because optimum economic value has become remote and distorted and by virtue active fund management and professional fund buyers fragile to digitalisation. Unless we put the City in order, technology will obsolete us, like Godzilla looming over us.”
Jon Parker
CEO, Jonathan Parker Consulting
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because without it, customers will simply continue to mistrust the industry and lose out financially. However, we would be wise to remember that more information and data can itself be a hindrance to improving outcomes”.
John Belgrove
Senior Partner, Aon Hewitt
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because consumers and clients need to trust the industry through having access to clear, open, honest, jargon-free information in order to make informed choices to meet their financial objectives.”
Julian Fernandes
Project Coordinator, Hertfordshire Constabulary
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because there isnt enogugh at the present to deal with issues"
Martin Palmer
Head of Corporate Funds Proposition, Zurich
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because it will help to provide a level playing field as well as helping to restore trust and confidence amongst consumers that they are receiving value for money. This is particularly important at a time when increasing consumer engagement and understanding is so critical.”
Mike Stafford CFP
Director, Stafford Wealth Management
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because the more informed the client is the better decisions he/she can make. So for our part we are happy to display our charges on our website for both lifestyle financial planning and for regulated investment services.”
Nicholas Morris
Academic Visitor, St Anthony’s College
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because financial services are key to our economy and society, and transparency is necessary to encourage trustworthy behaviour by financial services professionals. It is important that we define their obligations and responsibilities clearly, and then hold the industry and those who work within it to account.”
Nigel Bradshaw
Treasurer, Volt Bank
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because what was once a well respected industry and key contributor to society has become completely self serving and at odds with sustainable flourishing in the communities in which it operates."
Paul Lewis
Owner, Paul H. Lewis Business Services
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because complexity and secrece leads to customers paying more"
Rachel Haworth
Policy Officer, ShareAction
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because ensuring institutional investors are directly accountable to the people whose money they look after is the only way to transform the system into one that serves savers, society and the environment”.
Renny Biggins
Pension Technical Officer, TISA
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because the industry is currently perceived as confusing by consumers. In order to promote engagement, we need to break down those barriers and make it easier to understand. However, we should be mindful that too much information will confuse consumers.”
Richard Emery
Bank Fraud Investigator, 4Keys International
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because transparency is a prerequisite to trust."
Richard Ellis
Institutional Relationship Manager, Sarasin and Partners
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because savers / pensioners need to be properly informed about the products they invest in; they achieve the outcomes they expect; and to help build trust in the investment industry that is lacking at present.”
Richard Metcalfe
Principal, Richard Metcalfe Consulting
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services, and particularly in pensions, because we cannot afford for people not to save for retirement”.
Robin O’Grady
Head of Business Development, Hawksmoor Investment Management
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because consumers & their advisers need to regain trust in a hugely competitive market and be certain of all the facts before being able to make informed choices.”
Samantha Bryant
Administrator, Motorbelle
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because scammers need to be stopped"
Scott Henderson
Partner, Henderson Hotels
the bank and their legal teams have hidden their true crimes for to long! These have to be made public and all held to account.
Shyam Moorjani
Partner, RSM
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because pension scheme members are entitled to know the full cost, including all transactions, for the administration and investment of their money. Transparency will also allow benchmarking and informed comparisons to allow investors to make informed and better investing decisions and to enable them to improve outcomes to reach their financial goals.”
Simon Rowell
Director, Economic Policy, Department of Premier and Cabinet
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because we need to ensure financial services serve society and meet its changing needs"
Sophia Morrell
Independent Media Consultant
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because I’m passionately committed to a fair and functioning City which benefits everyone. We have a world-class financial services industry in London and by working together, we can ensure it serves equal purpose and value to its participants and users.”
Steve Conley
Business Development Director, Workplace Pensions Direct
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because Transparency is a means to an end, where the end game is greater accountability, good decision-making and trustworthiness … which leads to better commercial outcomes for members, sponsors, markets through investment, and in the long-run – via improved reputation, public engagement and a reduced savings deficit – for the asset managers themselves and the financial services industry as whole.”
Thomas Clarke
Professor; Director Centre for Corporate Governance, University of Technology Sydney
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because trust is what financial services are based upon"
Tim Williams
Business Development Director, Finocomp
“I believe there ought to be higher levels of transparency in financial services because encreased transparency can only be a good thing for all parties of the industry and, most importantly, the end customer. I support this initiative and would urge others to do so. The Symposium’s are a great forum to hear views from across the industry and shine a light on those areas that could be improved."