At Christina Clegg Financial Planning Services, all our staff are members of the Chartered Insurance Institute. This membership is very important to us as a firm and we are committed to following their code of ethics.
The Chartered Insurance Institute is committed to setting, maintaining and supporting high professional and ethical standards in insurance and financial planning.
In order to uphold these standards, the Chartered Insurance Institute requires all members to adhere to its Code of Ethics. The Code sets down the principles which all Chartered Insurance Institute members must follow in the course of their professional duties.
As such we are required to:
- Comply with the Code and all relevant laws and regulations.
- Act with the highest ethical standards and integrity.
- Act in the best interests of each client.
- Provide a high standard of service.
- Treat people fairly regardless of: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation
1. We must comply with the code and all relevant laws and regulations.
This includes, but is not limited to:
1.1 dealing with the Chartered Insurance Institute in an open, clear and co-operative manner.
1.2 dealing with regulators in an open, clear and co-operative manner.
1.3 ensuring regulators and the Chartered Insurance Institute are treated courteously and not in a vexatious or frivolous manner and that all queries are dealt with promptly.
1.4 meeting any Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
1.5 working not only within the law but also within the spirit of the law.
1.6 if within our control, making sure our organisation is suitably regulated and has effective compliance arrangements.
1.7 ensuring, where required, that we are individually authorised or regulated; and
1.8 reporting any breaches of the Code to the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Where this core duty conflicts with another core duty this duty will have priority over the others. By way of example, notwithstanding core duty 3, it is our duty to give confidential information to the relevant authorities where the information relates to a criminal act or fraud by our client.
2. We must act with the highest ethical standards and integrity.
This includes, but is not limited to:
2.1 being honest and trustworthy.
2.2 being reliable, dependable and respectful.
2.3 not taking unfair advantage of a client, a colleague or a third party.
2.4 not bringing the financial services industry or the Chartered Insurance Institute into disrepute whether through our actions in work or outside work.
2.5 not offering or accepting gifts, hospitality or services which could, or might appear to, imply an improper obligation.
2.6 promoting professional standards within the industry.
2.7 encouraging our organisation to produce an ethical code.
2.8 making sure our Chartered Insurance Institute membership or chartered status is described correctly.
2.9 informing the Chartered Insurance Institute of any change in our work or circumstances which affect our membership or chartered status; and
2.10 operating both professionally and in a financially responsible manner including avoiding personal insolvency
3. We must act in the best interests of our clients.
This includes, but is not limited to:
3.1 encouraging our organisation to put fair treatment of clients at the centre of our corporate culture.
3.2 basing our decisions on a clear understanding of client needs, priorities, concerns and circumstances.
3.3 giving our client all the information, of which we are aware, which is needed for our client to make an informed decision provided that information is not confidential to another client.
3.4 making sure the promises we make to clients about a product’s performance and the after-sale service are true.
3.5 respecting confidential information of clients, former clients and potential clients.
3.6 ensuring we do not use information from work improperly and/or to our personal or business advantage.
3.7 turning down work where a conflict of interest exists between us and the client; and
3.8 refusing to act where a conflict of interest exists, save where acting in these circumstances is expressly permitted by a regulator.
4. We must provide a high level of service.
This includes, but is not limited to:
4.1 communicating with each client in a way that is accurate and straightforward and expressed in a way that the individual client can understand.
4.2 being transparent about fees and other costs.
4.3 making sure reasonable steps are taken to ensure all advice is accurate and suitable for the individual client.
4.4 obtaining and providing clear information before, during and after the point of sale.
4.5 ensuring adequate and correct records are kept.
4.6 acting with skill, care and diligence.
4.7 acting only within our ability and authorisation and seeking help where necessary.
4.8 ensuring our knowledge and expertise is kept up-to-date and relevant for our work.
4.9 ensuring those who work for us have appropriate training and supervision and contributing to their learning and development; and
4.10 making sure our firm has a clear written complaints procedure which is followed.
5. We must treat people fairly regardless of:
age,
disability,
gender reassignment,
marriage and civil partnership,
pregnancy and maternity,
race,
religion and belief,
sex and sexual orientation.
This includes, but is not limited to:
5.1 treating each person as an individual.
5.2 challenging and reporting unlawful or otherwise unfair discriminatory behaviour and practice.
5.3 always acting openly and fairly and treating employees, colleagues, clients, potential clients and suppliers with equal respect and opportunity.
5.4 making reasonable adjustments to assist people with disabilities or particular needs you may deal with at work.
5.5 encouraging our organisation to produce and promote an equality and diversity policy setting out how the business plans to promote equality, diversity and inclusion, prevent discrimination and deal with any instances of discrimination which might happen; and
5.6 making sure processes and procedures do not discriminate
We are aware that:
- Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which lasts, or will last, for over a year and which adversely affects the individual’s capacity to undertake day to day activities. It includes conditions as diverse as dyslexia and cancer.
- Race includes ethnic or national origin, colour and nationality.
- Religion and belief include non-religious beliefs (including no-religion) and philosophical beliefs which impact upon the way in which an individual chooses to live their life.
