Commenting on the move, an AIFA spokesperson said: “The Council is tremendously pleased that so prominent a political figure has been attracted to chair the Association. We all believe that AIFA has been greatly strengthened over the last three years by having, in David Hunt, a chairman who is above industry politics and has been able to unite the Council in looking to the interests of independent advice and IFAs as a whole, rather than any section of the market. We believe that John will continue in this tradition.”
Gummer served in the Cabinet in several departments in the 1990s. He has a long track record in Government at the highest levels and is highly regarded especially for his continuing work on environmental issues. His independence is highly regarded on both sides of the House.
He will be, of course, a non-executive chairman and the running of AIFA will remain in the hands of Paul Smee and his team.
