The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) has appointed Steven McBurnie CFP Chartered FCSI (Financial Planning) as the new chair of the CISI Paraplanner Interest Group (PPIG).

He takes over from Dan Atkinson who steps down as PPIG chair after five years.

The PPIG is open to all CISI members and non-CISI members who have a drive and passion for the profession of paraplanning. The PPIG runs events over the year, with its practitioner committee playing a key role in the organising of the CISI annual Paraplanner Conference.

The group was created by CISI to support Paraplanners in the UK and around the globe who wish to network, share ideas, insight and information with other paraplanners.

Steven McBurnie (pictured) is a certified financial planner, a CISI Chartered Fellow (Financial Planning) and a CISI Chartered Wealth Manager. He is a paraplanner with Glasgow based Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie and has been on the CISI PPIG committee for five years.

McBurnie (pictured) said: “I’m extremely flattered and excited to be taking on the role of chair of the CISI Paraplanner Interest Group Committee. It is a true honour to be approved by my fellow highly experienced committee members. Dan has done an absolutely fantastic job in helping create our annual Paraplanner Conferences and online events by dedicating a lot of time, energy and effort to make them inspiring, engaging and insightful.

“Dan has set the bar incredibly high but we have high ambitions for 2025 and I’m supported by individuals who genuinely want to make an impact and promote our profession. I’m especially looking forward to working with Carly and the members of the Financial Planning Forum on delivering joint events.”

Dan Atkinson CFP Chartered FCSI (Financial Planning) said: “It’s been a pleasure to lead the CISI’s Paraplanner Interest Group’s committee as they seek to represent paraplanning professionals at every stage of their career and across all types of workplaces (small and large firms, in house and outsourced paraplanning professionals).

“Together we’ve delivered conferences and events both online and in person. With the valuable support of CISI we’ve have increasingly collaborated with other parts of the financial services industry. I’ve loved every minute and look forward to continuing to serve the profession as Steven takes the reins. Steven has demonstrated his passion for the profession in the events he’s collaborated on in Scotland recently. He will not only be ‘safe hands’ but will continue to grow the influence and reach of the committee.”

Chris Morris Chartered MCSI CISI Head of Financial Planning Policy and Engagement said: “I would like to thank Dan for all his years of leadership as chair of the Paraplanner Interest Group. Not only is he one of the nicest people in the profession, he has been, and remains, a tremendous advocate for paraplanning.

“I am delighted that Steven is stepping up as Chair. His passion for paraplanning, innovation and collaboration with others provides us with an excellent opportunity to build on Dan’s legacy and continue to raise the profile of paraplanning’.”

Morris (pictured) an experienced broker and trader, joins the CISI from Dublin-based StoneX Group Inc, where he was responsible for clearing, execution and sales. Prior to this he worked with Crux Shipbrokers in Dublin and MINT Partners in Singapore and Dubai.

He will be responsible for CISI Ireland and Northern Ireland client relationships operating from Dublin and takes over from Deirdre Lawson.

Morris said: “I am delighted to take on this role and join the CISI. I look forward to working with and meeting our members and stakeholders in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. I am excited to help build our CPD programme for the coming year and working to increase our membership and advocating the value of lifelong learning and professionalism.”

The CISI Ireland National Advisory Council President Adele Spillane MCSI said: “The Council is excited to welcome James and looks forward to working with our new country head to deliver on the charity’s objectives and strengthen our relationships with all our stakeholders on the ground.”

Nicola McMurray Chartered FCSI, Vice President CISI Northern Ireland National Advisory Council said: “We are delighted to welcome James and look forward to working closely with him to support our members and the CISI’s mission.”

Financial Planning Week is a nationwide public outreach campaign to spread awareness of the benefits of financial planning and encourage people to take control of their finances.

It allows consumers to experience the service through free introductory appointments and resources from CFP professionals. It is also an opportunity for financial planners to give back by sharing their expertise with their local communities, the statement said.

Chris Morris, Chartered MCSI, CISI head of financial planning policy & engagement, said: “In today’s world, taking control of your finances and having a financial plan is more important than ever. Not everyone has access to a qualified financial planner. This initiative provides an opportunity for the public to get the help and guidance they need.”

Delegates at the CISI Financial Planning Conference in October, where FP Week was launched, expressed enthusiasm for the campaign, including Brilliance Financial Planning, which will participate in FP Week for the first time.

Susi Taylor (pictured above), Chartered FCSI, director of Brilliance Financial Planning, said: “What we provide to people as a service can help make a big difference to people’s lives, and Financial Planning Week gets that message out there by encouraging participation in the community and raising awareness about financial planning. There’s always potential that we may find a good match in a client as well, so we think it’s a good thing for all parties.”

CISI Financial Planning Forum Committee member Andrew Elson (pictured below) CFP Chartered FCSI (Financial Planning), managing director at Berry & Oak, explained that his firm has created a service specifically designed to provide a financial planning 101 education for its clients’ adolescent children.

This initiative, which received positive feedback from a trial in support of last year’s Financial Planning Week, underscores Berry & Oak’s dedication to fostering financial literacy across generations, helping younger clients establish a strong foundation for their financial future.

Financial planners can get involved by signing up to support CISI Financial Planning Week in a range of ways including:
• Spreading awareness on social media
• Hosting pro bono consultations
• Sharing press releases with local news outlets
• Speaking at local schools and community centres about financial literacy, or financial planning careers
• Sharing resources, including financial health checklists

The CISI’s Wayfinder website, financialplanning.cisi.org, lists CFP professionals and CISI Accredited Financial Planning Firm businesses for consumers to find and book an introductory free appointment. Also, new for this year, CISI financial planners supporting the FP Week initiative will be listed in a Financial Planning Week supporters directory, which will be hosted on Wayfinder.

The FP Week campaign logo, along with the slogan accompanying it: “Live your today. Plan your tomorrow.” symbolises a path to a fulfilling future. The slogan also aligns with the Financial Planning Standards Board’s slogan to signify the campaign’s efforts to make financial planning more globally accessible.

The CISI is again calling for support from its financial planning community. Everyone can download the campaign toolkit, which includes social graphics and a presentation aimed at a younger audience, from the Financial Planning Week Toolkit which will continue to be updated. Everyone is encouraged to also post on social media using the hashtag #FPWUK. If members have any ideas, they are invited to send them to FPWeek@cisi.org.

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) has appointed Carly Dunningham CFP MCSI as chair of the CISI Financial Planning Forum Committee.

The Financial Planning Professional Forum encourages CISI’s financial planning members to share their ideas and best practices whilst helping to develop the existing and next generation of financial planning professionals. The Forum provides an opportunity to meet other professionals and engage in open discussions in a confidential setting, as Forums are conducted under the Chatham House rules.

Dunningham (pictured) is a director at Verso Wealth Management. She has been in the profession for over 22 years and enjoys working closely with her clients to help them uncover and achieve their life goals.

She has been a member of the CISI Financial Planning Forum Committee since 2023, taking over the chair from Amyr Rocha Lima CFP Chartered FCSI (Financial Planning), who is stepping down in November 2024.

Dunningham said: “I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Chair of the CISI’s Financial Planning Forum. It was a true honour to be voted in by my fellow committee members. As a passionate advocate for the power of proper financial planning, I’m excited to have this opportunity to help the forum make a real difference to our profession and for the people in it. I am looking forward to raising our profile to get more people into this amazing career and increasing public awareness about what good financial planning actually is.”

Chris Morris Chartered MCSI CISI head of financial planning policy and engagement said: “I would like to thank Amyr for all his years of support as Chair of the financial planning forum. He has been a tremendous advocate for CFP professionals in the UK and has made a significant contribution to raising the profile of financial planning.

“I am delighted that Carly will become the new Chair of the forum in November 2024. Her passion for financial planning is second to none and I look forward to working with her and the committee.”

The global body has 10 professional forums which include, in addition to Financial Planning, the practitioner areas of: Bonds and Fixed Interest, Compliance and International Regulations, Corporate Finance, FinTech, Operations, Risk, Wealth Management, Paraplanner, Training, Competence and Culture.

The aim is to raise awareness of the wide-ranging benefits of financial planning and of working with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional. The CFP is the highest global financial planning certification in the UK. A CFP can help people to organise their finances to achieve specific life goals, support in building financial confidence, combat anxiety and stress about money and deal with life’s challenges around day-to-day financial decisions.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals are committed to rigorous standards of professionalism and to putting clients’ interests first. World Financial Planning Day will coincide with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) World Investor Week (WIW) from 7 to 13 October.

The CISI in the UK is part of the FPSB Network, which represents more than 223,770 CFPTM professionals worldwide.

Sally Plant, assistant director financial planning and education development said: “As FPSB global consumer research* has shown, improved financial well-being and financial decision-making confidence are key benefits when working with a financial planner. Financial literacy, so essential to overall well-being and mental fitness, is a real testament to the actual value of financial planning.

“We are therefore delighted to support this eighth World Financial Planning Day alongside the FPSB. We are hosting our annual Financial Planning Conference and Awards 15 and 16 October in Manchester where the UK financial planning community will gather to learn and discuss best practice relating to the transformative power of financial planning and its ability to give people financial security and freedom.”

CISI WFPD activities for this year include raising awareness of financial planning, sharing widely across CISI social media channels as well as celebrating the annual initiative in-person at the CISI flagship annual Financial Planning Conference 2024.

The CISI is proud to work with FPSB and its global network of organizations to celebrate World Financial Planning Day and support IOSCO’s World Investor Week to raise awareness about the importance of financial education and investor protection so individuals and families can achieve their life goals. For those in the UK looking to find out more about financial planning, or find a UK financial planner, visit financialplanning.org.uk.

Since 2017, FPSB and its global network has celebrated World Financial Planning Day on the Wednesday of World Investor Week. Together, with international regulatory organisations, educational programs and resources are provided to help individuals make informed financial decisions and increase investor protection.