Financial Planning profession pays tribute to The Queen
The Financial Planning profession has paid tribute to The Queen who died yesterday at 96 at her summer home in Balmoral, Scotland.
The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, which was created by a Royal Charter signed by the Queen in 2009 and is the UK body for Certified Financial Planners, praised her dedication to the values of professionalism.
Michael Cole-Fontayn MCSI, chair, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, said: “Her Majesty the Queen was an inspiration to us all and one of a kind.
“On behalf of the members, staff and volunteers at the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), we send our deepest condolences to the royal family at this sad time.
“Her Majesty’s tireless commitment to charity, inclusivity and the well-being of communities was unparalleled, and her strong values and integrity shone through, giving hope to many through some extraordinary times.
“Her dedication to the nations across the world, where many in our global community of financial professionals are based, and her dedication to the service of the Commonwealth and its people will be her legacy. The signing of our Royal Charter, by Her Majesty in October 2009 is one of our most significant milestones, recognising our members’ dedication to professionalism.”
The Chartered Insurance Institute, parent body of the Personal Finance Society which awards the Chartered Financial Planner designation, has sent its "deepest condolences" to the royal family. The Queen was patron of the CII.
In a statement today the CII said: "We are saddened by the passing of our Royal Patron and head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty The Queen. The Queen was inspirational in the way she lived a life of remarkable, dedicated public service. Our thoughts are with the royal family at this difficult time.
"The Queen played a key role in the Institute’s development in 1987, when she updated the Royal Charter, which requires us to ‘secure and justify the confidence of the public’. Two years ago, the CII became an accredited member of the Commonwealth by joining the category of Professional and Civil Society Organisations.
"Membership saw the CII commit to the Commonwealth’s 16 values and principles, which included a strong focus on gender equality and facilitating access to the profession for people from all backgrounds. The CII was proud to commit to the shared set of values championed by the Commonwealth and made the step to become an accredited member, out of respect for the many years of commitment from the Queen, and now her successor, His Majesty King Charles III.
"As we enter a period of national mourning, we will reflect on how our activities in the coming days may need to change so that we can show our respect to our Royal Patron, who has set the standard for future Monarchs to follow. Once further details of the state funeral and official observations have been announced, we will update members if any exam sittings or other events need to be postponed."
Many individual Financial Planners and Financial Planning firms took to Twitter yesterday evening as news of the death of the monarch emerged.
Retired Certified Financial Planner Harry Katz told Financial Planning Today: "It may sound melodramatic, but I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I feel bereft. This is the passing of an era, an epoch, the like of which we are unlikely to see again. I well recall seeing the Coronation procession near Eros as a young 6-year-old and it is testament that our dear Queen has indeed been happy and glorious and has reigned over us for a remarkably long and interesting period. Yes, like all of us she has had some difficult times, but has come through them with grace and fortitude. Her successor has an almost impossible task to live up to such a legacy.
"Everyone, from all walks of life and from all communities will mourn her passing and will have fond and precious memories of a great monarch who has made an indelible imprint on the history of this country. She will justly be remembered as Elizabeth the Great. Rest in well-deserved peace."
Dennis Hall, founder of Yellowtail Financial Planning and a former member of the armed forces, wrote: “Like thousands of others I had the honour of serving Queen and Country. I feel a deep sense of loss this evening and cannot express the sadness I am experiencing. RIP Your Majesty.”
Ex-RAF veteran and often outspoken IFA Al Rush posted on Twitter: “The queen modelled a dignity lacking in many of those who now demean her. Maybe the disquiet felt by so many British mourners is one not just reflecting on the loss of a cherished Monarch, but a realisation she embodied all that we lost and now long for in our political leaders.”
Chartered Wealth Manager Garry Hale of HK Wealth in Stirling, a former President of the Personal Finance Society, said on Twitter: “Rest in Peace Your Majesty. Thank you for your duty.”
Many other leading figures in financial services have also rushed to pay tribute to the Queen who served the country for over 70 years and will now be succeeded by her son, King Charles III.
Pensions Minister Guy Opperman MP said: “The Queen was the best of us and a constant in a changing world. The shock to our country will be profound, as all our lives have evolved with hers. Thoughts and prayers with her family. They mourn their mother, and grandmother, as her country mourns her too."
Financial Planning firm Continuum said: "We are saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and pay our respects to her incredible life devoted to public duty. We join the whole of the country in sending our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this time."
Wealth manager Dowgate Wealth tweeted: "At this heartbreaking time, our thoughts are with the British Royal Family and the entire nation, as we grieve the immeasurable loss of Her Majesty the Queen. Her reign has made, and will continue to make, history. Rest in Peace."
Tenet group tweeted: "Unwavering dignity, duty and devotion to the service of our Country and the Commonwealth. It is with profound sadness that we have heard the announcement of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We extend our deepest sympathies to all who mourn her."
Liz Field, chief executive of wealth management trade body PIMFA, said in a statement today: “On behalf of all my colleagues at PIMFA, I wish to offer my deepest condolences at this sad time to the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen’s sense of duty and service to her country were unmatched and her passing marks the end of an era in which she remained constant and steadfast, a unifying symbol of continuity regardless of the many changes our country saw. We join the rest of the nation in mourning her loss."
“As a mark of respect, we will be postponing our external events for the coming 10 days. We will continue to run meetings that are part of our governance and will be in touch with members on a case-by-case basis.”
Legal & General Investment Management Tweeted: "Thank you for a life of service. We join the world in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II."
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