Evidence Based Investing: Changing the Minds of Advisors and Investors with Robin Powell (EP.27)

Jan 2, 2019

Robin Powell, a journalist and documentary-maker dedicated to evidence-based investing, shares his transformative journey in financial education. He discusses his shock upon discovering hidden research and his motivation to create impactful documentaries. Powell reflects on influential figures he met, including Jack Bogle, and analyzes the effects of the UK Retail Distribution Review on investor access. He emphasizes the media's bias towards flashy active investing stories versus the simplicity of index investing, while envisioning a future with better-educated investors and the vital role of both robo-advisors and human planners.

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ANECDOTE

Documentary Sparked A Career Shift

Robin Powell discovered abundant evidence favoring low-cost, diversified investing while making a documentary for a UK wealth manager.
He was shocked that the industry encourages the opposite despite clear research supporting passive approaches.

INSIGHT

Films Achieve Global Reach

Robin's films and related content have reached nearly one million views worldwide and spawned multiple follow-ups.
He expanded versions for US and Canadian markets to increase global impact.

INSIGHT

Commissions Ban Reduced Conflicts

The UK Retail Distribution Review banned commissions to align advisor and client interests.
Removing commissions reduced a major conflict but didn't automatically end recommendation of expensive products.

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In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast we welcome Robin Powell. Robin is a journalist and content creator who has dedicated the more recent part of his career to helping spread the word on research backed investing and turning the tide on the history of investment advice. For Robin, this all came about from an assignment he was working on and the feeling of shock he experienced when he discovered the wealth of information that is available to investors but how it is shielded by the majority of investment advisors. Robin explains these experiences and why we still see this in today’s marketplace. He chats to us about the films he has produced on the subject and the great characters and thought leaders with whom he has met. Robin is kind enough to open up about his thoughts on the future of investing, regulation and his hopes for the spread of this information. For all this and more, be sure to join us!

Key Points From This Episode:

Some of Robin’s background and previous work experience. [0:01:40.6]
Why Robin started spreading the evidence based investment message . [0:02:38.9]
The experience of speaking with industry leaders to make a documentary film. [0:04:07.7]
The impact of this and the subsequent films Robin has produced. [0:05:44.0]
Robin’s perspective on the Canadian financial industry. [0:06:57.8]
The impact of the change of rules for financial advisors in the UK. [0:09:21.6]
The effect of RDR and claims about reduced access to advice. [0:12:24.2]
Difficulties in sharing information and changing people’s minds. [0:15:06.0]
The role of the press in this dynamic and whether it can change [0:16:52.2]
Robin’s favorite interviews and encounters over the years. [0:18:07.4]
Looking to the future of the financial industry. [0:19:53.5]
Considering the role of the human financial advisor with the rise of robo-advisors. [0:21:40.1]
Robin’s own measure of success in his work [0:22:59.9]
Regulation in the pursuit of changing the approach of advisors. [0:24:28.9]
And much more!

For more information or to contact Cameron and Ben, visit pwlcapital.com