60 SECONDS WITH...ROBERT SINCLAIR
Share
ROBERT SINCLAIR, DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATION OF MORTGAGE INTERMEDIARIES
How is the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries coping with a reduced broker market?
We’ve looked at our income and costs just like any other business over the last two to three years. We have had to work harder than in previous years to secure memberships, but we have done so and secured funds for the future.
What are the reasons for the current review of AMI and the Association of Independent Financial Advisers?
AIFA has been in place for over 10 years and the industry is going through significant change, so we felt it was time for us to stand back and look at what we represent. In terms of AMI we have a content membership that supports what we do. There are few voices of discontent within it.
What’s your personal opinion of the regulator?
The Financial Services Authority has always been good at printing a rulebook but it has not been as good in applying it through its supervisory process.
Should the FSA regulate products?
It should look at the product development process, but not regulate them. We don’t want to get to a place where the FSA is saying a certain type of product is suitable for a certain type of borrower, although that would put the FSA entirely on the hook.
If you were in charge of the FSA for the day, what would you do?
Send all the staff to mystery shop banks or just stop it doing more policy and rules and focus on supervision using what it already has.
Who has influenced you most in your career?
Former decathlon gold medalist Daley Thompson. He won the decathlon gold medal at the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1984, and broke the world record for the event four times. I admire how he combined total professionalism and humour, which was a joy to watch.
Do you have any secret talents?
In 1975 I was crowned pole vault champion at the Scottish Indoor Championships athletics event as well as British University Champion in 1978. I was also captain of the top athletics team in Scotland between 1979 and 1983.
What book are your reading?
Michael McIntyre’s autobiography Life & Laughing. I need humour in my life.
- Interview by Natalie thomas
If you enjoyed this article, sign up here to receive daily email updates from Mortgage Strategy and Follow @mortgagestrat
