The 2023 National Conference of the Personal Finance Society's (PFS) gets under way this morning at the prestigious new International Convention Centre near Newport, Wales.

Hundreds of Financial Planners and Paraplanners are expected to attend the event organised by the 40,000-member professional body for Chartered Financial Planners.

The theme of this year’s one-day event is ‘Duty Bound - Loving Your Clients to Death’ and there will be 15 sessions, with many focusing on client service.

The PFS has been in the news recently after questions were asked by some members in an open letter about where and how PFS reserves were being held by parent body the CII. The PFS has refuted claims any funds are 'missing' or have been removed by its parent body.

Today's event is expected to focus mostly on professional development and Financial Planning education and not on debates about the PFS's finances. The event runs from 10.15am to 4.45pm and is followed by a networking drinks reception and live entertainment. 

The PFS said the conference promises an “educational and insightful look” into the future of the Financial Planning profession and will offer an opportunity for PFS members and others to learn from experts and peers, with over four hours of CPD available.

Sessions will cover Financial Planning skills, leadership, business ethics, advice and wealth management, sustainability, diversity and inclusion and technology.

Sessions include:

• 'A golden age of Financial Planning is upon us'

• AI and how we use it

• Tomorrow’s world – shaping the future

• Ace your annual review

• A guided tour of sustainable, responsible and ESG investments.

Speakers include familiar names such as including Chris Budd, Melissa Kidd, John Dashfield and Julia Dreblow while the keynote speakers will be Matt Watkinson, an expert on customer experience, and Catherine Morgan, an award-winning Financial Planner and coach. The event compere will be Chartered Financial Planner Ruth Sturkey FPFS.

The PFS said about the event: “The conference will explore how our ethical duty to clients can evolve as part of a greater focus on contributing positively to our environment and wider society."

The conference is free to attend for all PFS members. Non-members are charged £200 inc VAT. More details at www.pfsdutybound.org

The hashtag for the event is: #pfsdutybound

• Financial Planning Today will be reporting from the conference. Check back later for coverage.