Personal Touch Financial Services is launching a new business development programme, providing its member firms with training and support.

The network’s member firms will be invited to attend specialist workshops focused on building strategic long-term business plans which incorporate mitigation against regulatory risks and embrace sound business and people practices – all aimed at ensuring good consumer outcomes.

The programme will be split into three clear modules and facilitated by external industry experts to support key areas such as business planning, recruitment skills, managing people effectively and budgeting.

Karen Pearson, people and development director at Personal Touch, said: “Our business development programme is a new initiative to help principals focus on running their business more efficiently, getting more out of their people and increasing profits for their own benefit.

“Prior to this, virtually all industry network development support focused on products or selling but this new initiative focuses on the advisers themselves which is why it is different. We are treating our principals as professional business people not just financial advisers.

“This development programme will give us the opportunity to support both multi adviser firms and sole traders to ensure they are reaching their full potential. Our aim is to provide members with the skills to grow their businesses with a clear direction and we believe these workshops are key to delivering that aim.”