“There was something different about Expo this year.
“Maybe it was because I had retired from being a front line intermediary, maybe it was that a few more lenders were about (one notable exception - Lloyds don’t be party poopers), or maybe those still involved with the business had just got used to the awful market conditions and had survived somehow and were just being more phlegmatic.
“Whatever it was, it just had a better feeling to it and that some freebies were back in fashion, that the very lovely young ladies were back in cat suits and alike and adding a bit of glamour and colour back into the business.
“Be that as it may, the serious side of the business – the seminars were well attended and the day I chose to attend on Thursday had not seen the place empty by early afternoon as it had in recent years.
“This I think was mainly due to the very cunning plan of the ‘too nice to the FSA’ (Treasury Select Committee) AMI director, Robert Sinclair, who moved the key note speech by the FSA to Thursday afternoon from its traditional Wednesday afternoon slot.
“Standing room only left for the delivery of the speech from Sheila Nicoll, director of the conduct policy division at the FSA, who handled the delivery of the FSA, MMR review very well in a somewhat intimidating atmosphere with no mention of McDonalds Shift Managers.
“It was pleasing to see how well behaved and polite the audience was, although underneath no doubt many were baying for blood.
“I must say I did manage to slide in my observation and eventual question to her, which was handled with good grace by both Shelia and Lynda Blackwell who accompanied her.
“So congratulations to the organisers of the event, to Robert for his ‘cunning plan’ and his hosting of the seminars and others involved in them.
“A final thought. Don’t forget to submit your observations of the FSA’s MMR paper by 16th November and use this opportunity of telling the FSA your thoughts rather than just a moan from the sidelines.”
