The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced its decision to refer to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for an in-depth market investigation on 14 September 2017.

As set out in the FCA’s terms of reference, the investigation covers investment consultancy services, which provide advice to institutional investors (mainly pension funds) and employers on their pension schemes; and fiduciary management services, where the provider makes and implements decisions for the investor (for example, to select a fund in which to invest).

The CMA is now carrying out a thorough and independent investigation to see if there are any market features which prevent, restrict or distort competition. If it does find competition concerns, the CMA will decide whether and - if so - what action is needed to resolve them.

The issues statement sets out a structure for the investigation, outlining potential issues and possible remedies to put in place if competition problems are found. We have grouped these in the following areas:
• whether difficulties in customers’ ability to assess, compare and switch investment consultants mean investment consultants have little incentive to compete for customers
• whether conflicts of interest on the part of investment consultants reduce the quality and/or value for money of services provided to customers
• whether barriers to entry and expansion mean there are fewer challengers to put pressure on the established investment consultants to be competitive - which leads to worse outcomes for customers

The above are matters that we will be testing in our investigation. The purpose of the issues statement is to help those submitting evidence to the CMA to focus on the issues that we will investigate. We will welcome views on whether the correct issues have been identified to date and whether other issues should also be investigated, as well as views on potential remedies.

The CMA has appointed an investigation group, which will act as the decision maker in the case. This will be chaired by John Wotton, one of the CMA’s designated inquiry chairs. The other panel members are Lesley Ainsworth, Bob Spedding and Tim Tutton. All the appointees are chosen from the CMA’s expert independent panel members, who come from a variety of backgrounds, including economics, law, accountancy and business.

John Wotton, Chair of the Investigation Group, said:
“It is extremely important that the investment consultancy sector works effectively for its clients, which include many of the UK’s biggest pension funds, and we want to ensure we are looking at the right issues. That is why we are urging people to get in touch if they have any evidence to share or views about whether these are the correct areas for us to be investigating.”