The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment’s annual Financial Planning Conference will take place on Monday and Tuesday (1 and 2 October) with hundreds of Financial Planners and Paraplanners heading to the event’s new venue this year.

The two-day event headlined ‘Changing Lives’ takes place this year at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the NEC, a move from the usual venue of Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales where it’s been for the past decade.

The CISI says the new central venue is designed to give more people a chance to attend for one or both days.

There will be keynote speakers, three concurrent streams and a Gala Awards dinner as well as a large exhibition area.

Keynote address will include ‘Financial Wellness – it’s our obligation’ by Susie Logan, brand and marketing director, Standard Life and ‘The evolution of workplace savings and the true value of advice’ by Ronnie Taylor, chief distribution officer, Aegon UK

Jacqueline Lockie CFP, CISI head of Financial Planning, said she was hugely looking forward to the get together, the major event of the year for the UK’s Certified Financial Planners and CISI Financial Planning members.

She said: “This year’s conference has been designed by Financial Planners for Financial Planners and this is very much reflected in our fantastic line up of speakers and content.

“We have worked hard with our membership to provide a balance of soft and technical skill sessions.”

“We are also looking forward to being joined during the Conference by the CISI’s incoming Chairman, Michael Cole-Fontayn.”

Among the speakers will be former US Army officer Mark Horstman and neuropsychologist Dr Moira Somers.

Gold sponsors of the event are Aegon and Standard Life.

The three streams will cover: Focus on Your Clients, Spotlight on Your Business and Get Ahead Technically.

Speakers in the stream sessions will include Keith Butten, CFP; Warren Shute CFP Chartered FCSI, Lexington Wealth Management; Julian Gilbert CFP Chartered MCSI, director, Wealth Matters; David Burridge of Paradigm Norton.

Other speakers include Professor Andrew Clare of Cass Business School, Marc van Poeteren, chairman, FPSB Europe and Tom Murray, founder of Charityflow, Wealthflow.

Robin Keyte CFP and a member of the FCA Financial Advisory Panel, will lead a debate on ‘What we can learn from British Steel’ and ‘How we can offer Financial Planning advice to those who need it but cannot afford an upfront fee.’ Panel members taking part will include  Gretchen Betts CFP of Magenta Financial Planning and Wales branch president.

• Financial Planning Today will be reporting throughout the event - check out our coverage on Monday and Tuesday.