Consumer Duty in the Age of AI & Sustainability
Business, Leadership & Management
Course overview
In July 2023, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced a new Consumer Duty aimed at ‘delivering good client outcomes’. With investing sustainably becoming a growing trend in the investment industry, more investors are seeking to align their portfolios with the need to mitigate the risks of climate change, threats to biodiversity and growing social inequality. This free, online course is expertly designed to help you manage the increased reporting and changed requirements of the Consumer Duty within your own firm and provide confident advice around ESG and sustainability.
05 November 2026 - 26 February 2027
Places: Available
Delivery mode: Online
Application deadline: 16 October 2026
Places: Available
Course features
Generously supported by Aviva Investors, we are able to provide this free, online, accredited course for Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs), Paraplanners and Compliance professionals, with a key role in delivering good client outcomes for retail investors.
This is a self-paced course involving approximately 14 hours of learning. You will be able to access and complete the course within the course dates, usually spanning four months.
|
Module 1: The new financial landscape |
Explore the foundational ideas, key concepts and principles that relate to ESG concerns. Specifically, we will consider the impact of climate risks on global financial stability. |
|
Module 2: Financial risks and opportunities of climate change |
Understand what risks climate change creates for the financial system, the role of the financial system in the transition to a low-carbon world and the opportunities created for investors from this transition. |
|
Module 3: New regulations |
Delve into the link between the Consumer Duty regulations, ESG and sustainability, and how these integrate into the financial advice process. We will consider:
|
|
Module 4: Greenwashing and how to spot it | Learn how to recognise greenwashing; what it is and why caring about it matters. Be able to detect greenwashing in fund marketing and avoid greenwashing in the advice process. |
|
Module 5: Winning with AI: The Future of Advice | Explores how AI and automation are transforming the investment landscape, from the rise of robo-advisors to the shifting expectations of clients. We examine how technological advances are changing access, costs, and perceptions of advice; and show how IFAs can use their uniquely human attributes to win consumers' trust. |
|
Module 6: Impact on the Firm | Discover tools to assess sustainable and values-based investment options for clients in a process that records key data and information, The Duty now requires senior management to have a process which allows them identify, monitor and confirm they are satisfied that the firm is delivering good client outcomes. |
|
Module 7: Impact on the client journey |
Take a fresh look at the client journey and your role in working alongside your client; how you can grow into an expert at guiding clients through the sustainable investment landscape. |
| Live webinar |
During the course, you will be able to participate in a live webinar where you can engage with your instructor, guest speakers and fellow participants as we examine the rise of AI and robo-advising. |
| Personal Project |
Empower yourself with the skills and knowledge needed to analyse real-world scenarios and make informed decisions in the financial advisory context - the personal project is the culmination of your learning journey, providing a practical and comprehensive application of the principles covered throughout the programme. |
This course taught me how to identify suitable investments, spot greenwashing and how to use the FCA Sustainability Disclosures and Labels.
This course steadily explores the why, what, how of ESG and investments and what needs to be done to stay compliant.
Entry requirements
This course is specifically designed for working professionals who want to build their understanding of the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Consumer Duty. This may include, but is not limited to, the roles of:
- Financial advisors (independent and tied)
- Paraplanners
- Compliance professionals.
Whilst the course is free, your acceptance is not guaranteed. There are limited spaces on the course therefore we are triaging applications based on applicant suitability and operating limits on number of participants per company.
Further information
During this course, you will build your knowledge in:
- The science behind sustainability.
- Climate risk, climate finance and non-financial accounting.
- Greenwashing and misinformation.
- How to assess, test, understand and evidence good client outcomes.
- How to deliver good outcomes for the client.
Upon completion of this course, you will:
- Earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
- Be awarded a digital certificate from King’s College London and receive an online badge to post on your social profiles.
- Become a member of the King's Business School Executive Education Alumni Community which gives you access to our network, events and thought leadership, plus discounted rates on future executive education short course bookings.
Credit value:
Not for credit
Duration:
14 hours
Self-paced learning
If the listed dates do not work for you, please do not take one of the limited spaces and instead register your interest to be notified about the next available intake.
Offered by:
The course is generously supported by Aviva Investors.
Who will I be taught by
Professor of Practice in Sustainability
Senior Lecturer in Finance
Senior Research Consultant, Climate Finance
Professor of Political Economy & Entrepreneurship
Senior Lecturer in Marketing Technology and Innovation
Director of In Accord
Discover more
