Former IFP chief executive Steve Gazzard will be among the Personal Finance Society’s line up of key speakers for the national Financial Planning Symposiums.

He will deliver presentations on the future of Financial Planning at four events, starting with one at Celtic Manor in Wales on 10 November.

Three other conferences take place in the weeks after in Scotland, Birmingham and Wembley Stadium, London.

Mr Gazzard left his role as interim IFP chief executive in September, as the merger with the CISI was about to be finalised. Mr Gazzard informed the IFP of his decision in August and the bodies joined forces officially on 1 November.

Mr Gazzard set up his own consulting business after leaving. His firm is described as aiming to offer product providers and advice businesses support across areas including strategy, distribution, policy, professional standards, MI and governance.

At the PFS symposiums, Mr Gazzard, whose long career in financial services including spells at Save & Prosper, Egg and Fidelity, will discuss the “great future” ahead for Financial Planning.

The PFS stated: “This session will look at the evolution of advice, the emergence of Financial Planning, and how the Financial Planning profession can learn from the past, provide greater access for consumers, and continue to prosper in a changing regulatory and economic climate. All of this will be positioned within four broad themes of Consumer, Conflicts, Culture and Cooperation.”

Prior to taking over as interim CEO, Mr Gazzard was chief operating officer of the IFP, joining the organisation in February 2008. In his role as chief operating officer he was responsible for the day to day management of the organisation including responsibility for finance and personnel, operations, membership, business development and key projects.

The PFS events are going to “celebrate the evolution of the story of Financial Planning” by taking inspiration from William Shakespeare.

The PFS stated: “Never before has professional financial planning been so central to Government policy and never before has it been so important for us to tell our story to a public desperately in need of our services.

“Successful Financial Planners know only too well the power of storytelling in helping clients to understand and prioritise their goals as well as realise the potential consequences of inaction.”

Other speakers include PFS chief executive Keith Richards on the evolution of advice and Chartered Financial Planner Jason Butler, who will discuss how the way that people access, experience and pay for financial advice is going to undergo a radical transformation due to technological innovation.