In this episode of Accord Talks, Elly and Lee explore the growing focus on consumer understanding under Consumer Duty and what it means for financial advisers in practice.T hey discuss the FCA’s latest guidance on communications, sustainable investment labels, and the Climate Change Committee’s latest carbon budget analysis.

With insights from Graeme Devlin and Sam Buckingham, the episode looks at how firms can better understand clients, test communications and align investment solutions with real client needs.

Show Notes

Full episode transcript: https://www.inaccord.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Episode-13-Transcript-Shownotes.pdf

FCA Sustainability Disclosure Requirements labels: good and poor practice - https://

www.fca.org.uk/publications/good-and-poor-practice/sustainable-investment-labels

Climate Change Committee Supplementary analysis of the Seventh Carbon Budget - https://

www.theccc.org.uk/publication/supplementary-analysis-of-the-seventh-carbon-budget/

FCA Consumer understanding: good practice and areas for improvement | FCA https://

www.fca.org.uk/publications/good-and-poor-practice/consumer-understanding-goodpractice-

areas-improvement

Miggins - Putting the customer at the heart of financial communication - Comprehensive insight for clarity, compliance, and trust in UK financial services - https://miggins.co/

Buckingham Research Investment Insights for Financial Advisers and Asset Managers

https://buckingham-research.com/

Client Preference Ready Badge - consumer page - https://www.inaccord.co.uk/clientpreference-

ready/

Client Preference Ready Badge - adviser page - https://www.accordinitiative.com/public/

page/Client+Preference+Ready+Badge/236

Episode 12 | 02/03/2026 - Vulnerability by omission: The risk firms don't see coming What does it mean to know your client fully when risk is no longer just financial?

This episode connects global risk, client preferences, Consumer Duty and vulnerability - and explains why understanding how clients feel about risk is now central to good advice. What happens when advisers don't ask about values?

With guests Richard Farr (Telos Solutions / Comentis) and Mike Head (Ethical Investors / Ethical Screening), we examine vulnerability, resilience and the emerging risk of "vulnerability by omission" - and why foreseeable harm isn't limited to financial loss.

Plus: Client Preference Ready, stewardship reform and CP26/5. A practical look at knowing your client fully.

SHOW NOTES

Client Preference Ready badge - consumer page - https://www.inaccord.co.uk/clientpreference-

ready/

Client Preference Ready badge - adviser page https://www.accordinitiative.com/public/

page/Client+Preference+Ready+Badge/236

IA report: Realigning Stewardship: Delivering Sustainable Value Through Stewardship report - a roadmap to strengthen the UK’s stewardship ecosystem and support long‑term value creation -

https://media.licdn.com/dms/document/media/v2/D4E1FAQEdhaQRkDfvcA/feedsharedocument-

pdf-analyzed/B4EZwonM2bKgAc-/0/1770207892531?

e=1771459200&v=beta&t=dpCfH9wckAxdMURMpO8DZwOMaqR50EUvZN8gSifzcn4

CP26/5: Aligning listed issuers’ sustainability disclosures with international standards -

https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp26-5-sustainability-disclosures

In ACCORD Vulnerability, protected characteristics & client values - practical guide & checklist - https://www.esgaccord.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Vulnerabilityprotected-

characteristics-client-values-practical-guide-checklist-.pdf

Comentis - https://www.comentis.co.uk/

Telos Solutions - https://www.telossolutions.co.uk/

Ethical Investors - https://ethicalinvestors.co.uk/

What does it mean to know your client fully when risk is no longer just financial?

This episode connects global risk, client preferences, Consumer Duty and vulnerability — and explains why understanding how clients feel about risk is now central to good advice.

Episode Transcript:

https://www.inaccord.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Episode-11-Transcript-Shownotes.pdf

SHOW NOTES

World Economic Forum - Global Risks Report 2026 https://www.weforum.org/publications/globalrisks-

report-2026/

Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security A national security assessment

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nature-security-assessment-on-global-biodiversityloss-

ecosystem-collapse-and-national-security

Consumer Duty https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/policy-statements/ps22-9-new-consumer-duty

COBS9 https://handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/COBS/9?date=2023-06-22&view=chapter

Accord Initiative -free-to-access education, practical resources and compliance support for advisers, including accredited learning, structured guidance and tools designed to ensure client preferences are identified, evidenced and reflected consistently across advice processes. Resources are made freely available with the support of industry partners. www.accordinitiative.com