
The new president of the PFS, Caroline Stuart, has called for more people to join the financial planning profession, saying it is an essential priority for the future.
Stuart, who was officially announced as president of the pre-eminent body for the financial planning profession at the PFS’s AGM, re-emphasised the need to attract more people to the profession as vital for its future, given the number of those expected to retire in the coming years.
Stuart takes over from Sarah Lord, who served for two years as PFS president. Lord will remain as an observer and adviser to the PFS board, given her six years of experience as a member director.
Speaking on her appointment, Stuart said: “I would like to thank Sarah for the incredibly important role she has played during her term both as a board member and our president.
“I am looking forward to continuing her good work as we seek to build on recent principles of agreement with the Chartered Insurance Institute, engage with PFS members about their priorities for the wider profession and help policymakers and regulators recognise the important role our members can play during the UK’s cost-of-living crisis.
“One of those priorities must be around attracting more people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and ages, with the goal of creating a profession as diverse as the public we serve. It is the job of myself, the board, the leadership and our members to show that a career in financial planning is worthwhile, fulfilling and can deliver progression for anyone.”
Stuart becomes the first paraplanner in the organisation’s history to become president.