Matt Timmins, joint CEO of The SimplyBiz Group, has praised the “proactive, flexible and supportive” approach of the majority of product providers for the adviser and broker community during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

Timmins has written to CEOs of the UK’s major life offices, investment houses and platform providers to thank them for demonstrating that their support for advisers and brokers during what he described as a time of “unprecedented uncertainty, and challenge, both socially and economically, across the globe.”

Timmins said: “In order to safeguard the wellbeing and safety of not only our staff, partners and member firms, but also their families and the people with whom they live, we recently moved our face-to-face events programme to one of digital delivery. 

“Our partners moved to support this programme with a speed and flexibility which demonstrated, once again, that their belief in the importance of the service provided by advisers goes far beyond words. 

“Due to the willingness of the industry to create a unified front in its support of the needs of the adviser community, The SimplyBiz Group has continued to be able to offer high-quality events to its members, allowing them access to vital insight, updates and – crucially – education and CPD without attending in person.

“In difficult times, clients turn to advisers for comfort and guidance.  Advisers also need somewhere to turn for reassurance, information and support. I am delighted that providers and lenders have joined us in saying that, in these most difficult times, they are here to bolster the adviser community – and its clients – in whatever way they can.”