More Chartered professional bodies would be welcomed to join a new alliance which includes two of the leading Financial Planning organisations.

The Chartered Body Alliance – comprising The CII (parent of the Personal Finance Society) , the CISI and Chartered Banker Institute - was announced yesterday morning.

Bosses have said they would keep the door open to extending the partnership to similar organisations.

Asked if other Chartered bodies would be welcomed in, CISI chief executive Simon Culhane said: “Yes, providing they meet the same criteria. It’s not a closed shop.”

He added: “Professional bodies are a force for good.”

Sian Fisher, chief executive of the Chartered Insurance Institute, said all of the organisations already work quite closely with other bodies.

With Chartered bodies existing for various related specialisms, she said there was scope for more to come on board, adding: “We would be very keen to incorporate with other Chartered bodies.”

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Below: Watch the press conference

The trio stressed that they would not take on a lobbying role in dealings with the regulators or Government but where there is a public interest concern they hope to have “a more concerted voice” as the alliance.

Regarding joint events, Ms Fisher said she would like the alliance to run about five a year on subjects such as ethics in regulated environment - but not technical specialist areas like Financial Planning.

The organisations pledged to “restore the pride for people working in financial services” and to create a new “gold standard of professionalism.”

The bodies have stressed the move is a co-operative alliance, not a merger.

The three organisations will jointly fund any initiatives under the banner of the new alliance. Membership fees will not be affected as existing budgets will be used.

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Video: Simon Thompson, chief executive of the Chartered Banker Institute, explains more.

More from the Chartered Body Alliance press conference this morning as @charteredbanker chief sums up aims pic.twitter.com/8cUoelxavh

— FP Today (@FPTodayNews) March 1, 2017

@charteredbanker chief talks about Chartered Body Alliance with @CII@CISI pic.twitter.com/rFyUcIq5Ua

— FP Today (@FPTodayNews) March 1, 2017

Watch Below - the chief execs sign the Alliance agreement:

It's official! @CISI @pfsconf @CIIGroup @Charteredban sign new Chartered Body Alliance agreement this morning pic.twitter.com/YTrrRCWh4D

— FP Today (@FPTodayNews) March 1, 2017