The ‘bias’ in question is ‘gender imbalance’ and much discussed in our trade press this week, not least because our regulator has decided that it’s an issue. The adviser male/female ratio is currently 80/20 at best and has barely changed in the odd few years I’ve been in the business. Although at Philip James Financial Services, things are a little different/better as we’re 50/50, higher still if you include the up and coming. OK, a small sample and pool, and I can’t claim it’s been a policy decision, it’s just sort of happened that way, ‘organic growth’ in management speak. But that’s not going to stop me blowing the ’Top Firm in more ways than one’ trumpet.
“Why most won’t need to worry about IHT on pensions”
Many a government has made the point that only a minority will be affected by this or that tax change or tinker. It is, however, both perception and aspiration which are important, and they are what makes IHT the ‘most hated’ of all taxes – along with all the others, of course.
