Simplified Advice: What Firms Need to Make It Work, Simon Harrington, PIMFA (#44)

<p><strong>A narrower financial recommendation should cost less to provide. The difficult part is deciding when that service is suitable and making its limits clear.</strong></p><p>In this episode of Regulated Digital, we speak with <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simon-hs-harrington" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Simon Harrington</a><strong>, Head of Public Affairs at the </strong><a href="https://www.pimfa.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Personal Investment Management &amp; Financial Advice Association</a><strong> (PIMFA)</strong>, about whether simplified advice can widen access to personal recommendations without recreating the cost and complexity of holistic advice.</p><p><a href="https://www.pimfa.co.uk/pimfa-staff-members/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Simon joined PIMFA</a> in 2017 after roles at Nest and HM Treasury covering automatic enrolment, pension freedoms, and the UK&#39;s response to the financial crisis. His policy background gives him a close view of the regulatory intent and the practical questions facing advice firms.</p><p>The FCA&#39;s <a href="https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/policy-statements/ps25-22-consumer-pensions-investment-decisions-rules-targeted-support" target="_blank" rel="noopener">targeted support regime</a> went live on 6 April 2026. Its <a href="https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp26-10-simplifying-pensions-investment-advice-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">consultation on simplifying pensions and investment advice rules</a> closed on 22 May 2026, with a final Policy Statement still to come.</p>