Editorial independence enforcement

jamesd

Who are those responsible for assessing and auditing the editorial independence and whether the contractual penalties are to be applied? What auditing and other investigative penalties do they have? Who receives the money from the penalties?

If the code is breached and Martin Lewis leaves, how does that protect the user data that has now been compromised, if that's the reason for the compromise?

StaffsSW

Responses are conspicuous by their absence...


I'm also curious to know more about these targets that result in a further £27m to ML.

jamesd

Do remember that Martin was negotiating from morning one day to the morning of the next. Even if he wants to reply to questions he's probably got some sleeping to do first. It's also routine for there to be both regulator limitations when a listed company is involved and non-disclosure agreements limiting what can be said and by whom.

It's also good to be aware of the concerns his employees will have. I've been through two takeovers in the last few years and it's always unsettling. I've done well out of each of the ones I was involved with.

One obvious potential concern is in the MoneySupermarket.com "customer commitment" that "We are independent and impartial" and how that interacts with the meaning of independent and impartial here, which includes products and services not paying a marketing fee. For an Independent Financial Advisor to qualify to use that important "independent" word they would have to offer products from the whole market, not just those paying them referral fees, and to recommend those products impartially when they are appropriate for their customer.

The lack of independence and impartiality (in the IFA meanings of those words) is my own personal main reservation about standard comparison sites, which are typically listing only products that provide them with remuneration.

Try to give plenty of benefit of doubt to Martin. He's conducted himself well over the years and it's wise to assume that he hasn't suddenly changed his focus. This will, if anything, increase some aspects of his freedom to do the campaigning that he seems to value greatly.

If you haven't seen it yet, here's the MoneySupermarket.com press release. There's additional information in the regulatory announcement. More details of at least some terms will presumably be made available to investors prior to the general meeting.

Mandelbrot

jamesd wrote: »

There's additional information in the regulatory announcement.

As a shareholder of MoneySupermarket.com, it is intended that Martin Lewis's interests and those of the Group will be aligned.

interesting ...

mynameistallulah

jamesd wrote: »

Do remember that Martin was negotiating from morning one day to the morning of the next.

No he wasn't, there have been whispers of this for months - there is nothing sudden about it!

StaffsSW

jamesd wrote: »

If you haven't seen it yet, here's the MoneySupermarket.com press release

MoneySupermarket.com's stated objective is to ''help every household to make the most of their money''. In order to meet this objective, part of MoneySupermarket.com's strategy is to ensure that the MoneySupermarket.com brand is at the front of customers' minds and needs

One of MoneySupermarket.com's strategic priorities is to develop an Everyday Brand which is at the front of customers' minds and needs, and which will result in the development of a long term relationship with MoneySupermarket.com's customers. MoneySavingExpert has sought to position the MoneySavingExpert brand as a trusted, independent source of information regarding saving money for its users.

MSE - from MoneySavingExpert to MoneySupermarketEveryday?

jamesd

mynameistallulah wrote: »

No he wasn't, there have been whispers of this for months - there is nothing sudden about it!

Unless I was mis-recalling it, that's the duration of the contract closing discussions he gave during his Radio 5 interview earlier today. This doesn't preclude there having been previous negotiations. It, his obligations to his employees and such do explain why he may not be immediately available, even if he's not also off celebrating over the holiday.

mynameistallulah

jamesd wrote: »

Unless I was mis-recalling it, that's the duration of the contract closing discussions he gave during his Radio 5 interview earlier today. This doesn't preclude there having been previous negotiations. It, his obligations to his employees and such do explain why he may not be immediately available, even if he's not also off celebrating over the holiday.

Do you never stop to question whether anyone is not being entirely honest?

jamesd

I suggest that you try to find a recording to listen to. You'll find that it does not contradict what either you or I wrote.