The Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB), owner of the global Certified Financial Planner certification outside the US, has named South African Gerhardt Meyer CFP, as chairperson-elect of its board.

Following his one-year term from April 2018 as chairperson-elect, he will become the FPSB board chairperson.

In the UK the CISI is the professional body for Certified Financial Planners and runs the CFP certification in this country, one of 26 territories around the world with Certified Financial Planner professionals. At the end of 2016, there were over 170,000 CFP professionals worldwide, said the FPSB.

Mr Meyer currently serves as a volunteer director of FPSB and is employed as head of governance for the wealth division of Old Mutual South Africa. He has been a member of various South African and international industry bodies and committees and is a past chairperson of FPSB’s member organisation in South Africa – the Financial Planning Institute (FPI).

He said: “I have been committed to the development of Financial Planning as a profession in South Africa and internationally for many years, and am enthusiastic about leading the development and execution of FPSB’s global strategy.”

“I look forward to guiding the FPSB network as we focus on the impacts and opportunities of fintech and regulatory shifts, and as we increase awareness among more consumers globally about the benefits of Financial Planning and working with financial advisers and Financial Planners who are competent, ethical and who work in their clients’ interests.”

Mr Meyer previously held the positions of President of the Pension Lawyers Association of South Africa, chairperson of the FPI’s Tax Committee and Chairperson of FPSB’s Regulations Advisory Panel. He has a BCom (Law) degree and an LLB degree, is a CFP professional and an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.

Pamela Packard, 2017 FPSB board chairperson, said: “As a CFP professional with experience leading the board and guiding the regulatory engagement strategy of a national CFP certification programme, Gerhardt brings tremendous experience to his role on the FPSB Board.”

The FPSB board of directors comprises nine volunteer leaders from Australia, Brazil, China, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States, and the FPSB CEO, as a nonvoting member.