Chris Cummings
Director General
Winner of the Money Marketing Financial Services Awards 2008: Outstanding Contribution to the Industry
Chris Cummings was appointed as Director General of AIFA on 1 June 2005.
It is his drive, tenacity and direction that has established a campaigning style of lobbying for the trade body which has earned AIFA and its members industry-wide respect, opened doors for discussion and ensured the 
opinions of the professional advice community are heard at the highest levels of government and regulator.
Chris' role is to bring about a better business environment for hismembers, ensure the regulatory system is proportionate and accountable, and promote the benefits of taking financial advice.
His main areas of focus today are the Retail Distribution Review, reform of the regulatory system, bringing about reform of FOS, and making sure that the new raft of European Directives on financial services support the development IFA firms.
Recent "wins" have included: reducing the FSA's regulatory fees for intermediary firms by £11.7m, protecting firms' ability to continue to receive trail commission on in force business, moving FSA away from "pure fees" as the only remuneration model possible for firms, and he is committed to delivering a system which sees good firms survive (and thrive) in the coming years.
To help with this, AIFA recently launched its on-line business transition academy: "Fast Forward" which is free to all AIFA members.
He was previously in banking, and was tempted there having spent two years at PwC as a management consultant advising government departments and financial services firms across the spectrum.
Prior to this he was with PPP Healthcare and at Mercer Fraser where he was a management consultant serving clients in financial services ˆ and aerospace!
He writes regular columns for the trade press and has published two books on regulation.
Talk to Chris about:
Chris has an in depth knowledge of financial services, has published two books on regulation and will comment on all AIFA issues. He has particular interest in:
- Financial advice
- Developing profitable, sustainable firms
- Regulation and policy
- Management practice
- Financial services industry
- Retail distribution review
- Stakes in the ground
- European financial services policy
Work: 020 7826 9036
Email: chris@aifa.net