The Personal Finance Society has tasked Lee Travis with delivering business-relevant CPD through a national schedule of conferences and events to meet the needs of its 36,000 members.
Mr Travis will be responsible for the society’s professional development programme, which saw in excess of 10,000 advisers attending PFS events in the first six months of 2015 – more than double compared with the same period last year.
By the end of the year, it is anticipated that the schedule will have attracted more than 20,000 delegates.
PFS chief executive Keith Richards said demand is expected to increase further in 2016, making it the biggest professional development programme for the advice profession within the UK.
Mr Richards said: “Our support programme must continue to develop in line with the changing needs of our members and their clients.
“The need for professional advice was on the increase even before the government’s introduction of pension freedoms, which have seen the trend accelerate further.
“Lee brings extensive, relevant experience to the executive team at a crucial point of further evolution for all of us. We have some exciting plans for the future and need the right people in place to deliver against our strategic objectives.”
Mr Travis said: “I admire the way that the Personal Finance Society has increased both its presence within the market and enhanced its engagement and support for members over the past couple of years.
“I feel privileged to join at such a key time and to have an opportunity to play a part in influencing future progress.
“I have very much enjoyed the last five years with the New Model Business Academy and leave in the knowledge that it is an organisation in great shape for the next phase of its own development.
“The last 11 years have enabled me to work closely with many advisers around the UK, actively supporting them in their own personal and business development.
“I now hope to put my knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to good effect in the on-going implementation of the Personal Finance Society’s comprehensive professional development programme.”
The Personal Finance Society also confirmed the appointment of two new directors to their board: John White and Jonathan Rees.
John White has been a partner and head of financial management at Robson Rhodes, Bentley Jennison, RSM Tenon and Baker Tilly.
In October 2014 he became chief operating officer at Arthur J Gallagher Employee Benefits & Wealth Management.
Over the last few years he has also led on the acquisitions of financial services businesses, including Giles Financial Services, Hornbuckle Mitchell IFA, Vantis Financial Management and the Chancery Group.
Jonathan Rees joins as a non-executive director, focussing on regulatory issues and promoting consumer interest, having originally been appointed as a lay director in April this year.
He is currently a lay director of the Lending Standards Board, a director of Ombudsman Services (energy, telecommunications and retail sectors) and the Employers Network on Equality and Inclusion, as well as a trustee of Citizens Advice and the NACAB pension fund.
emma.hughes@ft.com
