The CISI’s chief executive says he would not rule out the organisation changing its name in future to reflect Financial Planning’s importance following the IFP merger.

Simon Culhane Chartered FCSI suggested he was open to the idea, when questioned by a delegate at a Q and A event at the CISI Financial Planning Annual Conference yesterday.

But he stressed, however, that there were no plans at the moment to make a change.

Mr Culhane and other leading CISI figures fielded various questions from attendees, with the future of the IFP name and branding also mentioned.

A delegate suggested to Mr Culhane that the CISI should consider changing its name to The Chartered Institute of Financial Planning and Investments or something similar and dropping the word securities.

Mr Culhane responded: “I wouldn’t rule out one day changing the name but it’s not on the cards now.

“Things do not stay the same forever but there’s no immediate plan to change the name.”

The delegates said the CISI name was not well known and did not sound consumer friendly.

Mr Culhane and the CISI panel, including Rebecca Taylor, former IFP President and now CISI board member, also discussed the IFP brand and whether it would continue after questions from the audience.

One delegate suggested that it was time to dispense fully with the IFP name and go full throttle with the CISI as the body to push Financial Planning forward.

Mr Culhane said that members should offer their views on this and that originally the agreement was to keep it going for three years.

Ms Taylor said she was “neutral” about keeping the IFP name but added it does give a distinctive brand for Financial Planners‬.

Meanwhile, the CISI's head of Financial Planning, Campbell Edgar, said he wants at least three Financial Planning reps at each branch meeting.

Other snippets from the Q and A:

CISI chief urges ex-IFP members to return to flock https://t.co/5WxrdSV2x0 #CISIconf

— Kevin O'Donnell (@FPT_Kevin) October 5, 2016

#CISIconf CISI board director Richard Waistcoat congratulates former IFP members for getting involved in the CISI

— Kevin O'Donnell (@FPT_Kevin) October 4, 2016

#CISIconf CISI CEO Culhane says board is considering changes to CPD and integrity requirements for all members echoing IFP requirements

— Kevin O'Donnell (@FPT_Kevin) October 4, 2016

#CISIconf CISI CEO Culhane says members and their learning are always major focus for CISI

— Kevin O'Donnell (@FPT_Kevin) October 4, 2016

#CISIconf Q&A: Question on why is the IFP brand being continued as "it should be dropped" - Culhane says agreement is to keep it for 3 years

— Kevin O'Donnell (@FPT_Kevin) October 4, 2016