Key Financial Planning figures are meeting in Dubai today to discuss the future of Financial Planning in the Middle East.

The Financial Planning Standards Board, owner of the CFP mark, is holding a global meeting from 23-27 April.

Marlene Shalton FIFP CFP^CM, president of the Institute of Financial Planning, Nick Cann CFP^CM, chief executive of the IFP, and Barry Horner CFP^CM, board member of FPSB and former IFP president, are all attending the meeting to represent the UK.

The organisation has members from 24 different countries including the UK, USA, China, India and South Africa.

The meetings aim to discover how a Financial Planning profession could be developed in Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

It is the first time a FPSB meeting has been held in the region.

It follows a series of earlier meetings FPSB members have had with Middle Eastern representatives.

Karen Schaeffer CFP, chair of the FPSB board, said: “FPSB’s mission is to benefit consumers by establishing rigourous standards for the Financial Planning profession, and we believe we have a lot of experience and know-how to bring to the Middle East region.

“We’re looking forward to engaging with financial service regulators, educators and firms to learn more about the region’s needs and the opportunity for collaboration with FPSB and our network of member organisations.”