Good morning and welcome to your Morning Briefing for Thursday 13 November 2025. To get this in your inbox every morning click here.
Paraplanners increasing AI usage
As regulatory pressures mount and workloads rise, paraplanners are meeting the challenge head-on by harnessing AI and digital tools to boost efficiency, according to new research from Scottish Widows.
The findings, based on a survey of over 200 paraplanners in the UK, found that almost all (94%) have seen their workload increase because of regulatory change.
To tackle these pressures, many are responding with innovation with more than one in five (22%) now using AI either as part of their core processes, or for specific tasks.
Aviva targets more cost savings follow Direct Line acquisition
Aviva is on course to almost double its cost savings after the acquisition of Direct Line earlier this year.
The insurer said it now expects to make £225m of savings from combining the two businesses – nearly twice its original estimate.
Aviva secured the largest takeover of CEO Amanda Blanc’s tenure earlier this year when it closed its acquisition of motor insurer Direct Line for £3.7bn.
Quilter makes two new senior hires
Quilter has strengthened its executive committee by appointing Jo Harris as chief customer officer and Margaret Ammon as group chief risk officer.
Harris, who will join in January 2026, brings extensive experience from senior roles across wealth management, retail and private banking. She was most recently as CEO for the mass affluent business at Lloyds Banking Group.
Ammon will join Quilter in Q1 2026, bringing over 25 years’ experience in risk management having held senior roles at Old Mutual Asset Managers, Schroders, M&G and most recently as Global CRO at Legal & General Asset Management.
Quote Of The Day
The world of investment will be poorer for Buffett’s departure, and Berkshire’s importance will recede along with the shadow of the great man
– Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, comments on the “end of an era” as Warren Buffett steps down from Berkshire Hathaway
Stat Attack
New findings from the third edition of BlackRock’s People & Money study, conducted with YouGov in 2025, show that the desire to beat cash savings rates and seize more control over their financial futures are the key drivers for people in Europe to start investing.
The survey offers an in-depth look into the motivations and financial behaviours of more than 40,000 people across 15 European countries, while tracking the evolution of ETF ownership, up by 69% across Europe since the survey started in 2022.
It found:
42%
of UK investors said they began investing was after realising it could grow their money more than cash savings.
60%
FOMO is a major driver for UK Gen Z and younger Millennials – they are around 60% more likely than those aged 35 and over to say that they started investing because they saw others grow their money and did not want to miss out.
2.1 million
The number of ETF investors in the UK, making it the third fastest growing ETF market across Europe.
50%
Half of UK investors said “not panicking when markets go up or down” is a top behaviour of a successful investor.
Source: BlackRock
In Other News
Sarasin & Partners has expanded its solutions range with the launch of the Sarasin Retirement Income strategies.
Developed in partnership with financial advisers, the new strategies are designed to help clients generate income in retirement while preserving capital amid changing market conditions.
The Sarasin Retirement Income strategies comprise two approaches, Natural Income and Structured Decumulation, each offering a framework to provide clarity and confidence throughout retirement.
Both strategies are managed within Sarasin & Partners’ established Model Portfolio Service, aligning to clients’ income goals as assessed by their financial adviser.
WBR Group has announced the launch of a new inheritance tax (IHT) calculator, available through its website.
Developed in response to forthcoming changes in inheritance tax and pension legislation, the calculator provides a three-stage estimation of an individual or couple’s potential IHT liability today, in April 2026 when the Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Relief (APR) changes take effect, and in April 2027 when new rules for unused pensions are introduced.
This functionality enables advisers, accountants and clients to start to plan with a longer-term perspective that is needed as a result of the Budget 2024 changes, adjust strategies proactively and engage in more informed estate planning conversations ahead of key legislative milestones.
The IHT calculator is accessible through the WBR Group website and is supported by WBR’s specialist tax advisory and pension/actuarial teams.
Barnett Waddingham has hired Andrew Phipps as head of Sipp proposition and supplier management.
Phipps brings over 20 years of specialist experience in the self-invested personal pension market to the role.
He joins from Embark Group, where he was product owner for Sipp and SSAS business.
In his new role, Phipps will ensure BW’s Sipp propositions remain competitive, compliant and aligned with Consumer Duty outcomes.
His responsibilities will include managing discretionary fund manager (DFM) relationships, identifying and delivering propositional enhancements, while navigating evolving legislation and regulation.
Trump signs deal to end longest US government shutdown in history (Reuters)
UK economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% in September (Financial Times)
Reeves looks to woo Budget watchdog with plan to cut inflation (Bloomberg)
Did You See?
The Financial Conduct Authority is strengthening its international footprint by partnering with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on artificial intelligence.
Announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival, the new partnership will support safe and responsible AI innovation.
The regulator said this will enable innovative firms in both the UK and Singapore to scale and operate across both markets more effectively.
The FCA will also establish a presence in Singapore with the appointment of an FCA Financial Services Attaché based at the British High Commission.
This forms part of a wider plan to establish a presence in other priority markets next year.
