The chairman of the new IFP Professional Forum committee has called for members’ help with developing the Level 4 Financial Planning exam in 2016.

Financial Planners have been urged to generally lend their “passion and expertise” for various projects.

Alan Dick CFPCM Chartered MCSI told members in his column in sister publication Financial Planner magazine, that it was essential members helped to take Financial Planning forward, following the IFP’s merger with the CISI in November.

The IFP Professional Forum committee, which consists of the old IFP board, has held its first full meeting to plan for 2016.

The new Level 4 Financial Planning exam is top of the agenda for next year and Mr Dick hopes a pilot will begin in the next few months.

Mr Dick stressed that in the development stages, the CISI needs input from Financial Planning professionals to ensure it is the best it can be.

He said: “We need members’ help to ensure that the content and learning materials are the very best available, so that we test students on the most important knowledge to be a well rounded Financial Planning professional of the future and not simply delivering yet another financial advice exam.”

He said: “Although there are many great initiatives taking shape, we need you, our members, to get involved and contribute your passion and expertise. Several people have told me recently both at conference and branch meetings that they want to help and I’m sure there are many more members who want to get involved but just aren’t sure how to go about it.

“The good news is that it’s easy to do. Just visit www.cisi.org/ifp where you’ll find a section labelled ‘become an industry specialist’. Here you can complete the web form and let us know which particular areas you would like to get involved in shaping.

“If you have a story to tell that would help other planners and Paraplanners please register your interest whether it’s speaking at events, writing articles or blogs as well as formulating qualifications.”

He also asked members to consider helping out on one of the committees and to help shape the content at branch meetings as well.