23 April 2008
Winterthur has appointed Mark Wilson as a new consultant to its Professional Edge advisor support team as a recent survey finds that IFAs increasingly value additional expertise and support.
As a Professional Edge consultant, Mark will be helping IFAs explore areas of regulation within the developing financial landscape, including the implications of the RDR and TCF, and the potential impact these could have on their current high net worth business. Mark has over 13 years of industry experience, having worked with companies such as Midland Life, HSBC Bank and regulatory body the FSA.
75% of IFAs asked* said that they have had contact or worked with one of Winterthur's professional edge consultants and a massive 86% of those said they were 'very satisfied' with the service. The importance of the Professional Edge service is underlined by 66% of IFAs saying that they felt there is no other company currently providing this kind of service, which includes:
- Business management and people development, including 'Winterthur Chambers'; a special service designed to help advisers build professional partnerships between advisers, lawyers and accountants.
- Adviser solutions and strategic business planning.
- High quality, specialist workshops and study support sessions on subjects including pensions and investments.
- Quality technical support for advisers.
Nick Lee, head of marketing and value added services, Winterthur said: "It is a credit to the team that IFAs rate the service and the consultants so highly. We're pleased to welcome Mark to the Professional Edge team, he will be a great asset."
-End-
*Internet-based survey via Survey Monkey conducted throughout December 2007 of 367 IFAs. Response of 70.
For further information:
Paul Riddell, Press Office, +44 (0)1256 798099
Becky Holmes, Press Office, +44 (0)1256 798310
Christine Wood, FD, +44 (0)20 7269 7253
Notes to Editors
Professional Edge
Winterthur Life has implemented a range of expert support services to help IFAs with everyday business activities and future planning, offering these advisers the 'Professional Edge' over their competitors. The package of services has been designed following research into the business needs of IFAs and currently includes the following services:
- Business management and people development, including 'Winterthur Chambers'; a special service designed to help advisers build professional partnerships between advisers, lawyers and accountants
- Adviser solutions and strategic business planning
- High quality, specialist workshops and study support sessions on subjects including pensions and investments
- Quality technical support for advisers.
Winterthur Life UK Ltd
An AXA UK company, Winterthur Life UK Limited is a specialist producer of wealth management solutions to the high net worth marketplace.
Winterthur Life UK Limited provides focused investment and retirement solutions and support services predominantly distributed through quality IFAs as part of AXA Life's AXA & Winterthur Wealth Management business proposition.
The company is recognised as having an innovative approach to financial products and its products feature simple, transparent charging with access to a wide range of carefully selected investment funds and fund managers via its Tailored Selection fund platform. Winterthur is also differentiated in the market through its focus on service excellence, which was reflected in the company winning Company of the Year and two Five Star service awards at the Financial Adviser Service Awards 2007.
Winterthur Life UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
www.winterthur-life.co.uk
AXA
AXA UK is a part of the AXA Group. AXA Group is a worldwide leader in Financial Protection.
AXA's operations are diverse geographically, with major operations in Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific area. IFRS revenues amounted to €94 billion for the full year 2007.
The AXA ordinary share is listed on Compartment A of Euronext Paris under the ticker symbol CS (ISIN FR0000120628 - Bloomberg: CS FP - Reuters: AXAF.PA). The American Depository Share is also listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol AXA.
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