IFP past Presidents have been lining up to sing the praises of Mr Cann after he was handed a special recognition award on Tuesday night.
Prestwood founder Paul Etheridge FIFP CFPCM said: “As member number one and founder President of the IFP it’s not surprising that I’ve taken a special interest in those holding key appointments in the institute. In Nick we have a very special person – admired, respected, dedicated, tireless, fun to be with, a friend and mentor to everyone, utterly committed to all that is good and constructive in building a professional body of which we are all proud.”
Marlene Outrim FIFP, CFPCM, of Uniq Family Wealth said Mr Cann remained “a wonderful figurehead for the IFP”.
She said: “He has an uncanny knack of being able to be completely nonplussed by situations, whilst remaining totally in command. Nick is a great leader and I hope he still has a role to play in the future growth of UK Financial Planning. If anyone deserves this award, it truly is him.”
Despite having some “difficult issues to work through” when she was President they were always dealt with “by Nick’s warmth and good nature”, she said, describing him as a “very astute guy who doesn’t stand any nonsense”.
A fantastic tribute to a great man - well deserved and good to see you in the bar too @Nickcanncfp ! https://t.co/O61ZFTEZC4
— Paul Spires (@SoundFinancial) October 8, 2015
Simon Williamson CFPCM, chairman of Broadway Financial Planning, said: “His unflappable approach and balanced analysis of important issues was invaluable and his understanding of the different nuances within the sector was remarkable.
“Over time he became a really well known personality, much liked and respected not only by his IFP colleagues, but by many others within the financial arena including the regulator.
“Nick, you were a great guy to work with. Like many, I was devastated for you and your family when I heard of the illness that struck you so cruelly and have nothing but the greatest admiration for your determination and resolve in overcoming it.”
Ian Shipway FIFP CFPCM from HC Wealth Management said: “I am sure that all Past Presidents will agree that Nick was a pleasure to work with – always smiling and doing the heavy lifting. However, for me the thing that stands out was accompanying Nick to the meetings of the International FPSB Council. I shall never forget the sense of anticipation from the assembled gathering of the great and good of the international planning community when the formal dinner was reaching its conclusion and Nick, as MC, was about to start on one of his ‘speeches’.
“Everyone looked forward to him taking the floor, and no-one ever took offence even though Nick would mercilessly take the micky out of every nation. The high spot was at the Tokyo meeting (2001 I think) when after the dinner in a quiet tea garden Nick took to the stage, adopted the pose of a Buddha, and treated the audience a 20 minute soliloquy that had everyone rolling in the aisles.
“Perhaps not the contribution to financial planning some would select, but it kept the UK very much in the forefront of the international movement and helped our profile at a point in time when we were struggling to make progress.”
Nick Cann so deserve the special recognition award - embodied all that is great about IFP #ifpconf
— Ian Smith (@Iancfp) October 6, 2015
Magic moment @IFP_UK Nick Cann recognised for outstanding service. pic.twitter.com/eKjQNuTWn7
— Patrick Ingram (@Patrick_Ingram) October 6, 2015