The CISI is encouraging consumers to seek free Financial Planning sessions from qualified Financial Planners as part of its annual Financial Planning Week 2017 campaign which will take place during the week beginning 8 May.

The professional body says Certified Financial PlanningTM and other CISI professionals will be uniting to offer all UK consumers free money management sessions during Financial Planning Week, an annual campaign to promote the benefits of Financial Planning to the public through PR and local promotions by members.

The one hour consultations are worth up to £500, says the CISI, and are being offered by CFPTM professionals throughout the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Consumers are being encouraged to book a session with a local financial planner via cisi.org/fpweek emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 020 7645 0708.

So far 40 Financial Planning firms have signed up to support the campaign. The aim of the drive, says the CISI, is to shine the spotlight on Financial Planning, which it says differs to “financial advice” in that Financial Planning helps people to organise their money to achieve specific life goals, whereas “financial advice” focuses more on financial services products. Firms wishing to take part in Financial Planning Week 2017 should contact Cisi.org/fpw.

Jacqueline Lockie, deputy head of Financial Planning at the CISI, said: “Financial Planning is a relationship-based process, which aims to help everyone, no matter what their age or financial circumstances. It allows those with money to plan their spending and saving wisely, but also those without, to work with a qualified CFPTM or CISI professional who can support them in reaching their financial goals. Financial planners do not just work with wealthy individuals.”

Financial Planning firms will be offering:

• Free consultation surgeries, either in person, via Skype or over the phone
• ‘Ask a Planner’ online sessions
• Talks to schools across the country about the merits of the financial planning profession

Ian Painter APFS FCSI CFPTM of Affinity Integrated Wealth Management, Kent said: “We are here to support people with the big questions in life, for example when can I afford to retire? Most of us don’t take time to think about these or even know where to begin. Issues such as making sure family are ok, that you can afford to do the things you want to and protect what you have.”

Duncan Hannay Robertson CFPTM who runs Hannay Robertson Financial Planning in Cambridge, said: “It doesn’t take much to get financially organised. We owe it to ourselves and our families to try to understand our finances. Even if you’ve gone off-track, a Financial Planner can help take the weight off your shoulders and save you from those money management worries we all experience at varying points in our lives.”

Martin Bamford CFPTM, managing director at Informed Choice Ltd in Cranleigh, Surrey, said: “We are pleased to help support Financial Planning Week again this year. The best way to share the benefits of Financial Planning is to talk about the work we are doing with clients on a daily basis, changing lives and helping achieve long-held goals.

“Throughout the week commencing 8 May we’ll be writing, podcasting and making videos about various aspects of Financial Planning, which we hope will be shared with a wide audience and encourage readers, listeners and viewers to take positive action.”

Joanna Hague, CFPTM, Chartered MCSI Paraplanner and Chartered Financial Planner of Investment For Life in Doncaster, said: “Working on your finances is complex. There are so many different options for what to do with money that many people can feel overwhelmed with the choice, not to mention all the technical details that go along with making decisions. Financial Planning is different. We take a step back and ask our client’s ‘What is it you want to achieve?’ We help you take a path that makes your money work for you, no matter what your objectives are.”