Well done to all the Financial Planning firms who have been taking part in the CISI’s Financial Planning Week this week. I applaud your efforts. I just wish there were more of you.

We’ve seen lots of free one-to-one virtual sessions with consumers, social media activity and other promotion of the long-term benefits of Financial Planning for consumers.

This year, for the first time, the PFS backed the campaign and has been supporting the drive to inform more people about the potentially life-changing nature of good Financial Planning advice.

Naturally the campaign has been somewhat Covid-subdued this year with events taking place virtually. This is a shame but it will change.

In the meantime, for those planners who did not get involved now would be a good time to think about getting involved next year or even doing more to promote Financial Planning all year round.

Financial Planning can be one of the financial world’s best kept secrets. It is ultimately, and sadly, still a service for the few, not the many and that needs to change.

I hope that change will come and the rapid growth of the Financial Planning profession could help spur that. As firms grow in size and more younger people join the profession the opportunity to get the message out grows by the day.

The CISI has thrown significant effort and enthusiasm into Financial Planning Week with head of Financial Planning Jackie Lockie CFP deserving a lot of credit, along with colleagues, for never wavering. The PFS has also run some excellent campaigns to encourage members to engage with schools and armed forces personnel. 

I would like to hope that in coming years most Financial Planning firms will take part in this laudable campaign, not just a minority. Financial Planning is of modest value to society unless the whole world knows about it. That has yet to happen.

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Kevin O’Donnell is editor of Financial Planning Today and a financial journalist with 30 years experience.  This topical comment on the Financial Planning news appears most weeks. Follow @FPT_Kevin