The Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB), the global non-profit standards-setting body for the profession, has released a statement followng its conference held in Sydney recently reaffirming members' commitment to its vision of Financial Planning as a distinct global profession.
The FPSB says it wants CFP certification to be seen worldwide as its symbol of global professional excellence in Financial Planning. There are now more than 150,000 CFP professionals worldwide.
At the meeting in Sydney, hosted by the Financial Planning Association of Australia, FPSB's board, FPSB member organisation leaders, including IFP chief executive Steve Gazzard, and invited guests advanced strategies to "lead, grow and influence Financial Planning as a profession through standards-setting, advocacy, outreach, research and educational activities over the next three years."
Steve Helmich, FPSB Board chairman, said: "Given our 10-year anniversary next year, and in light of the significant changes affecting the Financial Planning profession worldwide, the time was right to revisit and refresh FPSB's strategy."
"To lead effectively and promote a global Financial Planning profession working in the public's interest, FPSB and its member bodies committed to review the organisation's vision, mission and mid-term objectives. In Sydney, we had a laser focus on the Financial Planning profession's future, and committed as a global community to collaborate on rigorous professional standards for CFP certification, support new entrants and career paths in Financial Planning, and help the public to identify competent and ethical Financial Planners who will place their clients' interests first."
By the end of the strategy session, FPSB's board and member organisations had developed a strategic blueprint for the global network outlining a "picture of success for 2016", along with key priorities and performance indicators, and an action plan for FPSB's strategic initiatives.
FPSB's management team will refine these documents by year-end and develop supporting budgets and activity plans for final approval by the FPSB board of directors and the FPSB Council in January 2014.
FPSB Council chairman Barry Horner, CFP, of Pardigm Norton in the UK, declared the organisation's Sydney meeting a success, recognising FPSB member organisations for their readiness to tackle the complex issues facing FPSB as it establishes Financial Planning as a global profession.
He said: "The member organisations that belong to FPSB include some of the most respected thought leaders in Financial Planning globally. FPSB counts on this knowledgeable group for strategic counsel on critical issues, and to help FPSB's board of directors and management navigate the journey to recognition of Financial Planning as a distinct profession globally."
In a keynote address at the Sydney meeting, Peter Kell, deputy chair of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), noted that regulators were focusing on helping consumers manage complexity driven by technology and product innovation in the markets. Mr Kell added that Financial Planners have a strong role to play in helping protect consumers.
FPSB has a nonprofit member organization in the following 25 territories: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
 The FPSB's website is at fpsb.org.