Tracy Vegro, CEO of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), opened this year's annual Financial Planning Conference today with an upbeat message about the future for the profession.

Ms Vegro, in a welcome address to more than 300 delegates, said that the profession was on a "growth" trajectory.

She said: "I think you should feel very proud about how the community of Financial Planning is coming into its own."

She said confidence was high and there were clear signs of growth in the profession.

She said she had never experienced more people asking her about details of joining the 50,000 member professional body which awards the Certified Financial Planner designation in the UK alongside other financial qualifications.

The event is taking place at the De Vere Beaumont Estate Conference Centre in Windsor.

M Vegro said the profession faced a bright future.

She said there would be a big new campaign soon to promote Financial Planning and the opportunity for careers in the profession.

She added that internationally the CISI had recently struck a deal to partner with Australian advisers. The CISI is also doing more in the UK to promote careers in the profession by working with a variety of education organisations.

In terms of finances and governance, Ms Vegro said the CISi was financially sound and other bodies had, "not had such a good year as us." 

She also said governance was important and it was vital for the CISI to be transparent and open so that nothing was hidden from members.

She said: "We always want people to understand what we do."

The conference will feature two days of workshops, seminars and working sessions with contributions from leading Financial Planners including Warren Shute and Justin King. 

There will also be a Gala Awards Dinner.

• Financial Planning Today will be covering the event, check back for coverage.