On the road again

Welcome to Professional Broking's second annual regional roadshow, incorporating - and building on - all of the well-received elements of last year's inaugural outing.

Last year, the roadshow's theme of incoming state regulation was very much the focus of many brokers, keen to ensure their businesses survived under the new regime. This year, it is the continued survival of brokers' business that will take centre stage.

Many hours of consultation with the industry have resulted in the various speeches and presentations that you will have opportunity to take part in during the course of the event. And, I believe the value of these and the debate - both formal and informal - that will follow will be of great benefit to delegates in forming and refining their opinions on the issues that will face them in the coming year and beyond.

Now that brokers are acquainted with the regulatory framework - within which they will operate from January - many remain concerned, even disgruntled, about the direction the Financial Services Authority has taken with certain issues. Its late ruling on the rules covering commingling of client money triggered speculation about the adequacy of the FSA's expertise in the insurance broking sector. On this issue, I hope the pre-recorded interview with Sarah Wilson, director, high street firms, division at the FSA, may offer brokers further insight into the regulator's decision-making on this and other issues of concern to brokers.

At the event, please pick up a copy of the October issue of Professional Broking, which is this month packed with additional material designed to inform and entertain brokers. This includes the Norwich-Union-sponsored Little Book of Broker Management plus the results of our first quarterly readership sentiment survey.

I sincerely hope you enjoy the schedule and the networking and I look forward to meeting friends old and new in your region.