The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, the professional body which provides the Certified Financial Planner designation in the UK, has appointed two new branch Presidents.

James Swaby, Chartered FCSI, has become the new President of the Cotswolds branch and takes over leading industry figure Sandra Paul, consultant at Prestwood Software.

Mr Swaby is a senior investment director at Investec Wealth & Investment and leads the portfolio management team for the region.

He oversees strategies for private clients, trusts and charities, including multi-asset fund portfolios and international direct equities, and co-manages a family unit trust. He also sits on the CISI Disciplinary & Appeals panel.

He has lived in the Cotswolds for over 15 years.

He said: “I am very pleased to assume the role of President of the Cotswolds branch. I would like to thank my predecessor, Sandra Paul, for all her hard work and dedication particularly as her time in office was longer than she had anticipated and coincided with the Covid pandemic.

“Despite this, she raised the CISI’s profile with many local schools, making sure that as many young people as possible could see financial services as a viable career. I look forward to continuing her work with schools and developing the CPD programme with the branch committee and my fellow members.”

Tracy Vegro, CISI chief executive, said: “I want to offer congratulations to James on behalf of all at the CISI. As James notes, Sandra has done a great job and we too want to thank her for all her work at the Cotswolds branch.”

Tom Perks, Chartered FCSI, an investment manager within the Birmingham office of Quilter Cheviot, has been appointed as the new branch President of the CISI in the city. He takes over from Mark Rogers, Chartered MCSI, of Succession Wealth.

Mr Perks started his career in investment management in 2008 and joined the CISI shortly afterwards. Having previously held positions at Rathbones and Tilney (now Evelyn Partners), he joined Quilter Cheviot in 2017, the same year he joined the Birmingham branch as a committee member.

During his time with the CISI, Mr Perks has launched the Young Professionals’ Network and organised many other social events for members in the region. In addition, he has presented to students of all ages from across Birmingham to encourage those looking to pursue a career in financial services.

He said: “It’s an honour to be made President of the CISI committee and I am thrilled to carry on the fantastic work of our incumbent president, Mark Rogers, Chartered MCSI. Mark led the committee excellently, both before and throughout the pandemic, and played a key role in our adaptation to a new way of delivering for our members.

“I’m also excited by how many new faces we have on the committee in Birmingham and look forward to working with them over the years to come. We will continue to deliver our financial education service to those from across the city of Birmingham and build upon our relationships with local schools and universities.”

Tracy Vegro said: “On behalf of all of us at CISI I am delighted to welcome Tom’s appointment as the next president of the Birmingham branch. He is following in Mark Rogers’ stead and the Birmingham committee is thriving. Huge thank you to Mark and many congratulations, once again, to Tom.”