The Personal Finance Society (PFS) has revealed that 400 individuals have so far expressed interest in its Pathway to the Profession initiative, its campaign to support students taking their first steps towards their Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.

The Pathway initiative was launched in July with the PFS investing £1 million in initiatives aimed at attracting and "nurturing talent" for the benefit of the Financial Planning profession.

There are a maximum of 500 places available and the PFS has urged members and the industry to get in touch to ensure all the places are filled.

The campaign is designed to find new blood for the profession at a time when recruitment generally has been plateauing.

Among the initiatives is a £200,000 investment to support 500 students taking the Financial Protection (R05) module as a first step towards gaining their Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. They will also benefit from free PFS membership as they begin their professional careers.

The R05 module is a recognised Financial Planning qualification focused on financial protection, which also aims to build essential financial literacy skills for the future. Successful candidates will gain a range of member benefits, including CPD events, networking opportunities and mentoring.

The are a maximum of 500 spaces available on the student initiative element and the PFS is encouraging Financial Planning professionals to circulate the opportunity across their networks, in a bid to boost growth for the sector and fill the remaining spaces.

Carla Brown, President of the PFS, said: “It’s fantastic to see such a positive response to the investment the PFS has made in attracting and nurturing talent with its Pathway to the Profession initiative.

"Over 400 expressions of interest in getting started with the Financial Protection (R05) module is a big win, especially as many of these individuals are currently employed in other sectors, or returning to work after a career break.

"With spaces still remaining, we would like to encourage the wider professional community to share this opportunity within their networks, to support the growth and longevity of our sector.”

At the Pathway to the Profession launch event in London, PFS President Carla Brown was joined by fellow board members Edward Grant and Gill White to announce details of the initiatives. These include nearly £200,000 of funding for collaborative activities with Coventry University, everywoman, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, UCAS, and upReach, to support education and career development for future professionals.

A further £50,000 has been allocated for a new annual symposium to showcase the profession to young people. The PFS board has also received hundreds of suggestions from PFS members about how to invest the remaining £500,000. The board announce where it will invest the funds after their first board meeting of 2026, in late January.

• More details about expressing an interest in PFS Pathway to the Profession initiative.