deVere United Kingdom’s Mitch Hopkinson and Lee Grimshaw pass R08 exam
I am delighted to announce that deVere United Kingdom’s Head of East Midlands, Mitch Hopkinson, and Head of Technical Development, Lee Grimshaw have both passed the R08 exam, awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute.
This programme, recently updated in April this year following the launch of the pension freedoms, allows financial advisers to enhance their understanding and knowledge of the pension reforms and the effect they have on retirement advice.
Themes covered in the R08 exam include changes to HMRC tax regime following the Taxation of Pensions Act 2014; new compliance and legislative requirements surrounding the pension reforms; developments in the provision of pensions; changes to pension income choices and the state pension from April 2016.
Mitch, who was named a Financial Times Adviser of the Year, talks about passing the exam: “If independent financial advisers are to truly offer top quality advice, it is paramount that they are always at the forefront of change in the industry, and possess a comprehensive understanding of the evolving legislative and regulatory environments.”
Lee, who is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute, the highest accolade in the industry, comments: “I believe passing this exam is vital to prove advisers, planners and paraplanners have a detailed grasp of the changes introduced to pensions in the UK.
“Constantly keeping up to date with pensions changes is essential, so clients can continue to benefit from relevant, bespoke, independent financial advice, particularly now when the industry is experiencing such a drastic transformation.”
More of deVere United Kingdom’s independent financial advisers are preparing to take the R08 exam later this year. As such, Chris Barry, Head of Retirement has already initiated training for all staff, and an internal pensions freedom exam has now also been added to the deVere automated CPD system.
In passing the R08 exam, both Mitch and Lee have, yet again, gone the extra mile in committing to their profession and shown great drive and dedication.
Congratulations both of them!
