The adviser’s outsourcing dilemma

Are advisers still investment managers, or have they become relationship managers in an increasingly outsourced world? In this month’s DFM Discussion on Money, Markets and Masterminds, Citywire South Africa editor Ruan Jooste sits down with Equilibrium managing director Florbela Yates to tackle one of the biggest structural shifts in financial advice: the rise of the discretionary fund manager. They unpack why more advisers are handing over investment decisions, whether DFMs are genuinely improving client outcomes or simply helping practices scale faster, and what advisers should really be looking for beyond a three-year performance table. The conversation also explores fee pressure, operational due diligence, AI, digital engagement, alternative assets and why short-term performance chasing remains one of the industry’s biggest pitfalls.