Taking part for the first time were the four new CFP^CM professionals elected by IFP members, Melony Holman, Richard Allum, Ian S Howe and Chris Williams. Nick Cann, IFP chief executive, sees 2013 as a "game changer" of a year for the profession. He said: "The new regulatory environment means that advisers really need
to embrace Financial Planning if they are to deliver the valued added service that their clients will come to expect. Having such a positive and enthusiastic board behind us is a great advantage, and one we plan to fully exploit."
The board agreed to establish a new Consumer Affairs committee to build strategy to engage more effectively with consumers. A number of working groups were also set up to review areas of key strategic importance such as Paraplanners, Accredited Firms and, through FPSB UK, the CFP^CM certification assessment process. The working groups will report findings back to the IFP board.
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Ian S Howe, managing director of Baigrie Davies, said: "Being the new boy, you never know quite what you've signed up for until you're in the thick of it. My new colleagues on the board and the senior management team could not have been more welcoming. It was quickly clear that all involved bring different and complementary skills and knowledge to the team. Crucially, all of us are as equally committed to the challenges and opportunities ahead, pushing our profession to the fore."
Mel Holman said: "Like Ian, I found it interesting and exciting as people volunteered to sit on committees and working parties and get involved in different ways to develop our profession. It was lovely to get to know the IFP team and other board members. There was a general sense of purpose among the team and an emphasis on how we can develop IFP services for the benefit of members."

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