If you are a practising Financial Planner I’m guessing that you have been pretty busy over the last remarkable year. Whether it was reassuring existing clients as markets took an initial battering, helping them to recognise the opportunities afforded by a long-term plan, or helping new clients to build a secure future for themselves based on time-honoured principles, there has been plenty to keep us occupied.
CPD Woes
In the middle of all the activity I suddenly realised that my CPD was turning into a significant mountain to climb as my membership year drew to a close. I was extremely thankful for the outstanding Professional Refresher modules available on the CISI website, together with CISI TV enabling me to increase my knowledge in a wide range of subject areas whilst automatically accruing vital time to set against my requirement. If you haven’t looked at these facilities before, I strongly recommend that you log onto the CISI website and make full use of them. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience represented in these excellent facilities.
First Virtual Branch Meeting
I have to admit that, as a Branch, we’ve been a bit behind the curve when it comes to online meetings during the lockdown. However, we held our first zoom-powered Branch Meeting on 11th March and it was a great success, with excellent feedback from attendees. We welcomed Andrew Walker from Dimensional who provided a fascinating insight into the importance of relationship in the client/planner interaction, using data based on wide research to deliver conclusions about how planners can work more effectively with clients.
We then heard from Amyr Rocha Lima, Partner at Holland Hahn & Wills Financial Planning and recently installed Chairman of the CISI Financial Planning Forum Committee. Amyr took over this role from Martin Ruskin, who has been a great ambassador for Financial Planning, and a hard act to follow. However, Amyr has risen to the role magnificently, as evidenced by his energetic and inspiring talk. If you missed it, I recommend that take the next opportunity to hear from Amyr, his passion for Financial Planning is highly infectious. Among lots of things that I wrote down was “In a product led world you are relying on hope.” I suggest that you write that quote on your office wall.
Annual Dinner
You also won’t be surprised to know the Committee has taken the decision to postpone this year’s Annual Dinner until 2022. I’m sure you will understand planning an event like that even if restrictions are relaxed in the current conditions would have been nigh on impossible.
We are working on organising our next virtual Branch Meeting and perhaps an exciting summer social, look out for further details.
Promoting CFPTM
Equally passionate about Financial Planning is Sally Plant, who took over from Jackie Lockie as the CISI’s Head of Financial Planning in November. Sally previously worked for the CISI, including taking responsibility for expanding the Institute’s schools, university and apprenticeship programmes. It is an area that we’ve discussed as a Committee, with some good work being done to forge relationships with education with the objective of building a long-term pathway from higher education through to qualified CFPTM Professional. The CFPTM remains the primary benchmark for practical Financial Planning skills, and the Institute has been working hard to continue to refine its solid examination structure and robust process to ensure both candidates and the public that achievement of the CFPTM licence is primary evidence of competency.
Toward a More Representative Branch
Before Christmas I attended a virtual Presidents Day, designed to help Branch Presidents to understand more about the Institute and how to be effective in their role. I was disappointed to learn that our Branch is the least diverse in the country, being populated exclusively by males. This is a statistic that I am anxious to change, and I would like to invite all members within the region to consider joining the Branch Committee. I can personally testify that doing so will not only introduce you to some great people within the profession, but will also assist your own growth, development and learning. It would be great to have a more representative mix of age, ethnicity and gender driving the Branch forward and making a real difference as we go. Your commitment can be as much or as little as you can manage. Please give it some thought and contact me if you would like to know more.
Indeed, if you have any ideas or suggestions for how we can improve the Branch, whether that is ideas for speakers, new initiatives, educational connections or social events, please let me know. I’ll be delighted to hear from you.
Andy Jervis
Branch President
East Midlands and Lincoln CISI
andy.jervis@chestertonhouse.co.uk