Conference 2010 – A Golden Future for financial planning

PFS Conference 2011 – Due to popular demand, we’re returning to the ICC Birmingham on 10 & 11 November in 2011. The sessions will be more interactive giving you direct access to the leading experts. Make sure you save the date and watch out for more details soon.

Warwick turned out to be a fantastic conference venue with great facilities, even though some delegates were a little lost without a TV in their bedroom! Highlights included:

• Roger Bootle – A terrific address by this leading city economist. He is convinced that interest rates will remain rock bottom for at least the next four years. He has backed his bearishness on residential property by selling his home and renting. He warned us against bonds in the medium term and highlighted a potential trade war between China and the USA. He said talk of a bubble in Chinese growth was false and said strong growth would continue. Medium term he believes that the worst of the economic turmoil will be over with the economy strong enough to signal a return to the good times.
• Dame Evelyn Glennie – This passionate and hugely talented percussionist taught delegates how to feel the music long after the noise of the waterphone has ceased, and amazed delegates with a demonstration of exactly how the Marimba should be played!
• Chartered Awards Dinner – The biggest celebration of professionalism of its kind with more than 500 delegates and VIPs joining Jeremy Vine as he announced the worthy award winners – see below
• Doug Richard – Hilarious true stories of entrepreneurship from the ex-BBC dragon. From penniless to millionaire and back in the space of a few weeks, and onwards to multimillionaire status. Two tips for advisory businesses: think about cash daily; and don’t ignore the internet.
• Derek Williams – With striking examples of good and bad customer service Mr Wow highlighted how going that extra few inches to create a positive experience for your clients can reap dividends many times over and establish a trusted and respected brand.

Conference is always an exhausting two days, but hugely valuable. Many delegates reported that this year’s speakers were really educational, entertaining and inspiring and had armed them with lots of new ideas to help them become the best at what they do. Click here for the presentations from the event. Delegates can also expect a DVD containing video and audio recordings.

I am also very pleased to welcome Edward Grant as your Society’s new President. He takes over from Mike Fosberry who made a valuable contribution over the last year. Click here to read Eddie’s thoughts for the coming year.

PFS Chartered Awards ‘10

The Chartered Awards dinner was a huge celebration of professionalism:

• Joel Adams - Chartered Financial Planner of the Year
• Moore Stephens Financial Services(East Midlands) Limited - Chartered Financial Planners of the Year (corporate)
• Ian Thorneycroft - The John Ellis Award (awarded posthumously)
• Tony Cohen - Volunteer of the Year
• Thomasina McGuigan - Highest Achiever in the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
• Rachel Kitching - Highest Achiever in the Diploma in Financial Planning