SimplyBiz has been named as an Affiliate of the Consumer Duty Alliance (CDA), the not-for-profit, community interest company launched on 9 March.

The partnership builds upon SimplyBiz’s existing relationship with the Financial Vulnerability Taskforce, which is now incorporated by the CDA.

Membership of the CDA is complimentary and open to individuals and firms who will be required to adopt an independent Code of Professional Standards, as well as the consumer facing Financial Vulnerability Charter.

SimplyBiz will be delivering a 70-minute webinar dedicated to the fair treatment of vulnerable clients in practical terms, featuring the Consumer Duty Alliance, as part of its extensive programme of support in this area for advisers. In addition to the CDA, the event will include representatives from Comentis and VouchedFor, and is the latest in a series of Consumer Duty webinars hosted by SimplyBiz. The event is due to take place on 18 April.

Paul Bruns, compliance director of SimplyBiz, said: “SimplyBiz is delighted to be one of the early Affiliate Members of what we hope will be a growing Alliance for the good of the sector and, most importantly, the end consumer.

“The Consumer Duty is a wide-ranging piece of regulation, which has already – and will continue to – require learning and action from manufacturers and advisers. We’re proud to support this independent body and believe that a collaborative approach across the sector will ultimately lead to better outcomes for all.”

Tony Miles, secretariat, Consumer Duty Alliance, added: “We’re delighted to welcome SimplyBiz as an Affiliate Member, part of the growing support the Alliance has attracted since launch.

“We would encourage all individuals and firms from across the personal finance sector to both register and demonstrate their support, taking advantage of our collaborative network as we ultimately seek to raise the public’s perception of the financial advice and planning profession as a ‘safe pair of hands’.