The Personal Finance Society, the 40,000-member professional body for Chartered Financial Planners, has launched a new expert panel to boost sustainable financial advice standards.

The panel of advisers, policy professionals and sustainable finance experts will include an FCA observer.

The panel will aim to "enhance" advice standards and consumer outcomes on climate change and other sustainability challenges, the PFS says.

The PFS believes the new Sustainable Financial Advice Panel will help PFS members to “embed sustainability” into the advice they provide to consumers. 

PFS CEO Don MacIntyre, PFS CEO said: “Personal finance professionals have a vital role to play in making the urgent changes needed to meet the Paris Climate goals and the transition towards a sustainable economy.

"Our new panel will set standards for advisers as well as providing PFS members with the support, guidance and training that will enable them to give consumers consistent, high-quality advice on sustainable finance and related areas.”

The Panel comprises 10 external experts, chaired by Don MacIntyre, CEO, PFS and facilitated by PFS parent the CII Group.

The panel members are:

Don MacIntyre (Chair), PFS

Clémence Chatelain, CCLA

Lee Coates OBE ESG Accord (Accord Initiative)

Petra Deavall, St James Place

Elly Dowding, ESG Accord (Accord Initiative)

Julia Dreblow, SRI Services

Sebastian Elwell, Switchfoot Wealth

Rebecca Kowalski, Overstory Finance

Nicole Sykes, Pro Bono Economics

Alan Whittle, Director, Unburdened Solutions

Alena Zbirenko, Hugh James

Ian Simons, Content and Capabilities Director, CII

Dr Matthew Connell, CII

The panel also includes Nicoletta Paraskeva, senior associate at the FCA, in an observing capacity.

Clémence Chatelin, ESG integration manager at CCLA, said: “Financial Planners and advisers play a key role in guiding clients on investing in line with their values but also in a way that is sustainable for the long-term, sometimes beyond their immediate client’s lifetime. The sustainable investing space has become increasingly complex to navigate and therefore it is an imperative that the profession receives clear, actionable support.”

Sebastian Elwell, director at Switchfoot Wealth, said: “Financial Planners and Advisers have an opportunity to reform the profession into a regenerative force for good in society, simultaneously supporting the transition to net zero and building the resilience of our clients to the inevitable impacts of climate breakdown.”

Petra Lee, responsible investment consultant at St. James’s Place, said: “Our industry has the privilege and responsibility to help clients. Improving skills, competency and knowledge around sustainability can help advisers align client’s goals and objectives to deliver meaningful recommendations which is something we are all passionate about.”

Julia Dreblow, the founder of SRI Services, who has specialised in sustainable investment for over 25 years said: “The alternative to delivering a sustainable future is seriously bleak, and progress to date has been painfully slow, so I am delighted to welcome, and be part of, this important initiative - which is very much ‘part of the solution’.  Ensuring the financial advisory community and colleagues are well placed to understand sustainability risks and opportunities so that they can meet clients' needs better is vital.”

Rebecca Kowalski, founder of Overstory Finance, said: “It’s great to see the CII bringing us together to support and encourage our fellow finance professionals. We all want to make the world a better place and know that personal wealth cannot protect against planetary system overload. Finance is key to the sustainable transition and advisers and planners have a unique opportunity to be instrumental in this.”