Bonus interview: The campaign to get people investing - Simon Lambert speaks to Karen Northey

In this episode of This is Money Podcast, Simon Lambert speaks with Karen Northey of the Investment Association about the newly launched 'Invest for the Future' campaign. The initiative aims to motivate Britain’s savers to become investors and is supported by 20 firms from the financial services sector, though it is not government-funded. The campaign is designed to demystify investing and normalise conversations around personal finance, addressing fears and misconceptions that many have about investing.

Karen explains that investing should be seen as a long-term commitment rather than a one-off action. The campaign will not suggest specific products but aims to build confidence and provide resources for those interested in investing. It addresses common misconceptions about investing not being for everyone and encourages people to start small. The episode highlights that social conversations around money are often lacking, and the initiative seeks to create a culture where discussing investing is common.

In discussing success metrics for the campaign, Karen emphasizes that real change will take time and will focus on shifting attitudes towards investing before expecting to see increases in investment participation. This includes reducing the perception that investing is risky or only for wealthy individuals, thus opening the door for more people to start investing in their future.