The PFS is looking for an interim CEO to support its members’ interests during 2022, ahead of the recruitment of a full-time CEO in 2023.
This interim role will provide executive leadership as the professional body works to evolve its working practices, to better meet its members’ interests, the PFS board said.
Explaining the background to the appointment, Sarah Lord, president of the Personal Finance Society, confirmed: “The role of PFS CEO was dissolved by the former CEO of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) in June 2021. Over the last year the PFS has worked with the CII to establish the most effective way to manage the organisation. It has become clear that the best way to represent and advocate the PFS members’ interests and preserve and protect its assets and deliver tailored member support is through the appointment of a full-time executive CEO role
She continued: “Our members provided feedback supporting the need for a dedicated executive championing their interests within the CII’s ‘Shaping the future together consultation’ last year. The CII executive is supportive too. This is why we are commencing an executive search process immediately and will appoint an Interim CEO in the first instance while we seek a permanent appointment.”
The Board has established some priority programmes for the remainder of 2022, including to:
• Ensure there is a dedicated champion that is able to deliver a laser-like focus on members’ best interests and reflect the divergence of the personal finance sector and that of general insurance, while maintaining public confidence in the professional services of members.
• Promote the PFS strategic business plan and to deliver a successful Annual General Meeting in September 2022.
• Enable the PFS to deliver a world-class show-case event in November 2022, the Festival of Financial Planning.
• Support the volunteer Board to ensure that the PFS continues to meet its purpose and, through the CII, is able to provide members with valuable Chartered status.
The interim CEO will then work with the incoming permanent CEO to ensure there is a smooth transition in leadership.
A professional consultancy will be used to find the right candidate who is expected to be in place before the end of summer 2022.
