The CISI’s Financial Planning Mentoring Scheme was launched in January with the aim of giving people long term support in developing careers in Financial Planning.

The CISI runs the Certified Financial Planner designation in the UK, an alternative to the Chartered Financial Planner qualification. There are just over 900 CFP holders in the UK and 180,000 worldwide.

James Hay and Schroders have already singed up to back the mentoring scheme with more expected to follow.

Mentors leading the scheme are recognised Certified Financial Planner  holders. Mentees must be members of both the CISI and its Financial Planning Forum and the scheme is free to join with a library of support and information available to all mentors, says the CISI.

Jacqueline Lockie CFP Chartered FCSI, CISI Head of Financial Planning, said: “We are so delighted to have Royal London join the CISI Financial Planning Mentoring Scheme by offering its technical helpline to support the mentors and mentees enrolled.

“This not only highlights Royal London’s unreserved support for this initiative but also their willingness to assist in the growth of the Financial Planning profession. Royal London have dedicated staff available to support our mentors and mentees with their protection technical queries.”

Ian Smart, product architect at Royal London said: “It’s great to get involved in such a fantastic scheme which offers help and support to individuals wishing to achieve more in their financial services career. At Royal London we know the importance of advice and we are delighted to be involved in helping people achieve their goals in financial planning.”

Based in the City of London, the CISI  has 45,000 members in 111 countries and offers a range of financial professional qualifications.

Details of the Financial Planning mentoring scheme are available on the CISI website.