Serving you better: PFS President welcomes ‘new era’ at national conference
Publication date:
03 November 2023
Last updated:
25 February 2025
Today, the Personal Finance Society (PFS) held its annual national conference in Newport, Wales, where members were invited to explore how ethical duty to clients can evolve, as part of a greater focus on contributing positively to our environment and wider society.
Anthony Ward, PFS President, opened the event by thanking over 1000 delegates for braving the weather in order to attend, and recognising the shared benefit that PFS membership brings to building and maintaining trust in the financial planning and mortgage advice professions. He said: “What sets the PFS apart from other bodies is the passion and endeavour that our members collectively have for their profession.” He also noted the evolution of the PFS Board over recent months and how it is now better able to serve members. “The PFS Board is now comprised of a group of individuals who each bring a unique set of experiences, skills and knowledge – and who are fully invested in our members. We have directors drawn from within the membership, alongside those who have excelled in other industries and professions. As the Board has come together over recent months, we have initiated a new era for this wonderful membership body. And we have made some terrific progress in a short period of time. It truly is an exciting time to be part of the PFS.”
Keynote speakers included Matt Watkinson, consultant and expert on customer experience, and Catherine Morgan, a multi-award-winning qualified financial planner whose mission is to reduce financial anxiety and increase financial empowerment and resilience.
Members in attendance received over 4 hours of CPD, covering financial planning skills, leadership, business ethics, advice & wealth management, sustainability, diversity & inclusion, and technology.
Sessions included:
- A golden age of financial planning is upon us
- AI and how we use it
- Tomorrow’s world – shaping the future
- Ace your annual review
- Taming your transactional advice monster
- A guided tour of sustainable, responsible and ESG investments.
Don MacIntyre, Interim CEO for the PFS, said: “This PFS National Conference has demonstrated how bright the future is, both for our profession and our membership body. It was terrific to experience the positive attitude and outlook of so many attendees. Stability and growth will be key drivers for our organisation over the coming year, and I’m looking forward to engaging even more with our volunteers and wider membership, building on the great foundations that this event has shown are already in place.”