Either, they can sell a simple range of products, which will have commission built in, so you don’t have to pay up front for their work.

Or, they can be professionals – highly qualified and charge fees for their work.

There’s a lot of argument at the moment about the finer points, but that is the upshot.

Please forgive the gung-ho marketing, but I’ve been waiting for this development since 1995.  I am already running with the second path for my business, three years early.  If you need advice about your money, and you want to know what you’re paying for that advice, we need to talk.

Just imagine if this was common in all jobs? Teachers leaving their schools to set up new schools, new refuse collection services springing up everywhere as the binmen (forgive me if that’s un p.c.) all leave their yellow trucks.

Don’t tell me it’s about high-barriers-to-entry, ‘cos there are a LOT of cheaper businesses to start up than regulated financial advisers.

Of course, I’ve also been thinking a lot about what my proposition will be.  I’ll tell you.  Because (obviously) I think it’ll be the best out there.

I’ll start with what I don’t want.

I don’t want to advise everybody.  I don’t want a client list as long as a phone book. I don’t want to act for anybody who doesn’t want my advice at that time.  I don’t want my wealthier clients to subsidise the others, ie over-charge Mrs A because Mr B isn’t paying enough.

I want my clients to know in advance what I’m going to do to improve their financial strength, and know what they’re going to pay for that.

I want to advise people who need and welcome impartial guidance.  I want my clients to know that “impartial guidance” has a price attached.

A lot of my existing clients do know that.  I love them for it.  They understand that there’s the risk of a conflict of interest when the adviser stands to gain money from recommending “A” instead of “B”, and commission is settled behind closed doors.

I want a business model that gives prospective clients the confidence that they are paying the same as anybody else for the same advice.  To that end, I will publish my price list..