The organisation’s chief executive officer reaffirmed its commitment to its flagship “financial planning” week, suggesting that it acts as a crucial gateway to professional planning.
Mr Gazzard said: “Our goal is really focused on increasing demand for the concept of planning, rather than for financial planners themselves.
“That means that we get out there and make consumers aware that they should not be bamboozled by products and that they can do simple financial planning, such as budgeting, on their own. We should then say “there may come a point when you need more help”, so we can them feed them more material about what professional planners do.”
Raising awareness of the financial planning “brand” was one of numerous objectives laid out by Mr Gazzard in his keynote address to the IFP conference in Wales on 1 October. Other goals for the IFP included making sure the “education process really works for members” hoping to obtain certified status.
He said: “Introducing the exam was a big improvement. There has been some debate recently about our process for obtaining certified status, and we really encourage feedback and constructive criticism.”
The IFP also intends to supporting a growing paraplanner community, with Mr Gazzard confirming that a working group had been set up to “deal with what this sector needs”.
Mr Gazzard welcomed NS&I’s decision that IFP accredited financial planning firms or chartered financial planning firms should tender to provide consultations to winners of the Premium Bond jackpot.
He said: “IFP members were once accused of being elitist for suggesting that advisers get better qualifications and charge fees. Lo and behold, we are now at that stage and we all should not fear that we are not on the right track.”
Commenting on research carried out by the IFP recently, Mr Gazzard added that independence “came up really high” on the agenda for 78 per cent for IFP members, as well as wraps, life planning and cashflow.
