Adam Owen DipPFS, Certs CII (MP & ER) has been confirmed as President of the Personal Finance Society (PFS).

Mr Owen, who takes over the role from John White, is currently curriculum and training director at NextGen Planners.

He joined the profession in the mid-1990s and has held advisory roles within direct sales and the IFA sector and provided technical compliance support to both DA firms and networks.

He was a founding director of support provider EQI Consultancy and has held a variety of senior compliance and supervision positions. 

More recently, he has focused on developing career pathways throughout the profession, becoming a CII and PFS-accredited trainer.

Commenting on his election, Mr Owen said: “Over the next 10 years we will see many stalwarts of the profession taking a step back as the inexorable march to retirement continues.

“We are seeing many new entrants to the profession and there is more focus than ever in supporting career development and recruiting new talent with initiatives like the PFS Aspire apprenticeship programme.

“As a profession, we now need to support the next generation as they make the transition into senior management and leadership positions.

“The PFS Connect e-mentoring programme which looks to support careers through mentorship has made a great start with many Personal Finance Society members getting involved.

“Since the launch of the scheme in the summer, 215 members have signed up as mentors.

“During this presidential year I would like to build on this and support the development of leaders throughout the profession.

“I am looking forward to my year as President of the PFS as the profession faces challenging times.

“My theme for the year will be supporting and empowering the future leaders of our profession whilst also raising the profile of professional advice and highlighting the positive impact in can have in society.

“The launch of the Connect mentoring programme is a great start in supporting people making the transition into senior management and leadership positions and I see supporting the development of future leaders as the natural evolution to the work of previous PFS Presidents.”

Keith Richards, PFS chief executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome Adam as President of the PFS.

“His broad experience of both our profession and of working with us over the past couple of years as a board member, will be invaluable in supporting our ongoing commitment to evolve as a modern professional body.

“I would also like to offer the warmest thanks to past President John White for his contribution to the profession over the past year.”