CISI chief executive Simon Culhane, Chartered FCSI, says that expanding the CISI’s Financial Planning membership and international growth will be the two key strategic aims for the body in the coming year.

Fast-growing Chartered Financial Planning firm Fairstone has added two Financial Planning firms to its downstream buy out (DBO) programme which will ultimately see them acquired.

The CISI is to make significant changes to the pathway to its Certified Financial Planner qualification but it will not be “watered down,” the incoming CISI head of Financial Planning Jacqueline Lockie told the annual conference this week.

The latest digital edition of Financial Planning Today, our 40-page magazine for Financial Planners and Paraplanners, has now been published and is available online.  

Sanlam UK - part of Sanlam Limited, the South African-based group - has speeded up the development of its HNW client Private Office arm by appointing two new experienced recruits, Jonathan Moon and Will Cayzer.

Sir Steve Webb, the former pensions ministers, has warned that Labour Party plans for reduced state pensions at 64 “face serious practical obstacles.”

Brexit fears have knocked confidence within the financial services sector where sentiment deteriorated in the three months to September, according to the latest CBI/PwC Financial Services Survey.

The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association has raised concerns about the way the FCA wants information provided to clients considering a pension transfer.

The CISI says that membership of its Financial Planning Forum has risen 22% since the merger with the IFP from 2,100 to 2,700 – as the body prepares for its annual Financial Planning Conference next week.

Sir Steve Webb, a former pensions minister, believes there is a strong likelihood the Chancellor will have to cut pension tax reliefs in the November Budget or soon after to make up for revenue shortfalls.