A panel of expert Financial Planners answered questions posed by mystery delegates at the CISI Annual Financial Planning Conference in Birmingham this afternoon.

A light-hearted Financial Planning-themed version of ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’ saw the panel take on pressing issues in the profession.

Topics from insistent clients to work-life-balance and engagement with employees were asked of the panel, which included Keith Churchouse CFP Chartered FSCI, Gretchen Betts CFP Chartered FSCI, Keri Carter CFP, Sylvia Bentham CFP Chartered MSCI and Andrew Elson CFP Chartered MSCI.

Asked whether insistent clients should be accepted Mr Churchouse said they should not and urged Financial Planning firms to “control the situation from the outset, make sure you know who you’re dealing with.”

The worst thing about running a business was the subject of next question and Ms Carter said it was having to sack people, whereas Mr Churchouse said it was “the relentless nature of it.”

On engaging with teams Mr Churchouse added that his firm, Chapters Financial Planning, had regular team meetings and he issued delegates a challenge with three months left in 2018, to think of “one change to make a difference.”

He said: “Ask that question to your team to see if you can engage them.”

Ms Betts said her firm, Magenta Financial Planning, encouraged wellbeing, “yoga at the desk” and “learning about team values.”

She added: “It reiterates that social nature you need to have with your team.”

Keri Carter said it was important to make sure “every one feels they have an ownership in the future of the firm to continue that success.”

Asked what the biggest concern was for 2019 Andrew Elson, managing director of Berry & Oak, said it was “coping with the demand from new clients and the capacity issues.”

Finally, one mystery questioner asked whether Financial Planning should be seen as an industry or a profession. All agreed it was a profession.

Keri Carter, managing director of Broadway Financial Planning, said: “We need to be proud of the profession that we work in.”

Mr Elson added: “It needs to be in our minds and in our hearts that we’re a profession.”