The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, the body which awards the Certified Financial Planner qualification, has announced the first three people to pass its new-style Level 6 exam in Advanced Financial Planning.

They passed a pilot exam which will pave the way for the new CISI Level 7 Diploma in Advanced Financial Planning, believed to be the highest UK Financial Planning qualification.

London based David Hearne CFP of Satis Wealth Management, Scot John Reynolds of Expert Pensions Advice based in West Lothian and Somerset-based trainer Crispin Glascow of Glascow Consulting are the first three to pass the new CFP pathway, Level 6 Certificate in Advanced Financial Planning.

The pilot exam was sat by Mr Hearne as an existing CFP professional and a number of Accredited Training Providers to ensure that the new CFP pathway materials and exam are “robust” for candidates to sit from this month, the CISI said.

All three are now on track, having passed their Level 6 exam, to complete the new CISI Level 7 case study assessment, thereby achieving the Level 7 Diploma in Advanced Financial Planning,

Mr Reynolds, in addition to running his own business, has also trained 4,000 financial advisers and Financial Planners. He is also a Chartered Financial Planner but said he felt that the CISI Level 6 Advanced Financial Planning exam complemented his skills.

Mr Hearne decided to undertake the study and exam to challenge himself as he was already a holder of the CFP designation.

He said: “I have always wanted to maintain the highest professional standards as a Financial Planner. Taking this exam and the case study that follows will ensure that I am up to date on the latest thinking and best practices. It will also enable me to support my colleagues and future recruits at Satis Wealth Management to do the same.”

Crispin Glascow said: “The Advanced Financial Planning exam acts as an excellent bridge between the Level 4 Financial Planning and advice exam paper and the case study report required to achieve the Level 7 Financial Planning qualification.

The candidates have fed back their experiences to the CISI.

Jacqueline Lockie CFP said: “We are so very pleased to see John, David and Crispin’s successes in our new CFP pathway. As a global certification there is nothing which matches the CFP designation for the breadth and depth of financial planning knowledge. John, David and Crispin’s clients can be assured that these expert’s Financial Planning guidance will have their well-being at the very heart of their process.”