A 40-minute watch.   

Robert Reid is MD of Syndaxi Financial Planning, and in this wide-ranging interview with Lee Robertson, chats through his firm’s approach to clients and financial planning, the evolution of the profession, active and passives arguments, and his thoughts on fees and transparency.

Describing a typical client, Reid notes a broad range of individuals, ‘from ballerinas through to captains of industry’. His approach is very much straight-forward honesty, as ‘you don’t need a good memory if you’re telling the truth’.

He remarks that a big part of the job is how you socialise with people, not just your technical ability, and he explains why clients will want to know you’re a ‘problem solver’, requiring you to ‘work in sync’ with the paraplanners.

On investing, he remarks that for too long clients were ‘paying for alpha, and getting overpriced beta’.

Also discussed are Rob’s thoughts towards professional examinations, ad valorem and contingent charging, and headwinds currently faced by the industry.

Rob also appeared in our quick-fire question round here.