A fresh approach to PFS events in 2024

Have you heard about PFS XCHANGE yet? It’s our new approach to delivering events for everyone who works in financial planning.

During 2024 we’re going to be delivering fewer – but larger, more impactful – multi-streamed events offering a choice of content for a wide variety of roles.

Come and experience technical masterclasses, balanced with skills development, career pathway workshops and interactive good practice development sessions.

From advisers and paraplanners to compliance specialists and those in back-office roles, we will be offering something for everyone across the financial planning community.

We recently opened registrations for the first series of events which will focus on Later Life Planning Conundrums – I’m delighted to see that 300+ members booked their place within the first week. A huge vote of confidence in our new approach.

Ready to find out more? Visit www.thepfs.org/xchange for the low-down on what to expect, where and when the events are taking place and to register for your free place today.

Why our events are evolving

The Personal Finance Society’s Board recognised that the Covid pandemic has been a catalyst for changes in the way CPD events are delivered, including a proliferation of digital content.

Keen to invest in improving the quality of our events as well as broadening their appeal to a more diverse range of roles, the Board commissioned an independent research study, which revealed that:

• physical events delivering high quality development content with opportunities to network and share good practice with peers are still very much in demand
• but some members felt that events were only relevant to experienced advisers
• whilst others were under the impression that sponsors had undue influence over content.

We have responded by evolving our programme to be more relevant to a wider range of our members roles and career stage needs. We have committed to significantly increase centralised funding and work with fewer, like-minded partners to secure independent subject specialists and drive enhanced quality content for members.    

PFS Local

Activity at a local level remains integral to what we offer. During 2024, our committees of selfless practitioner volunteers across all 26 PFS Regions will deliver a programme of local engagement, offering both in-person and digital events for everyone working in financial planning in each region. As I write, the first events of the new year are being developed; look out for more information in January.

PFS Digital

We recognise that digital/online events form a core part of the mix too. In 2023 we’ve delivered 200+ webinars for PFS members, including events under our popular PFS POWER umbrella as well as a series of events dedicated to paraplanners. We will continue to offer a wide variety of digital events throughout 2024.

We believe our new approach will educate and inspire you to deliver excellent client outcomes. But don’t just take my word for it – come and see for yourself!

Don MacIntyre – Chief Executive Officer, Personal Finance Society