Some of the UK’s leading Financial Planners gathered in Worcestershire today for the annual Institute of Financial Planning Fellows’ Day.

The day was exclusively for the members of the IFP Fellowship, recognised as one of the most prestigious Financial Planning qualifications, and aimed at discussing Financial Planning information at the highest level.

Some 23 Fellows attended the day and speakers included former IFP President Jane Wheeler FIFP CFP^CM, Bob Freeman from Voyant, IFP board member Richard Antrum and Richard Gough FIFP CFP^CM.

At the end of the day Ms Wheeler discussed the future of the IFP Fellowship. This covered the election of a chair and vice-chair for the Fellowship, Fellowship services to the IFP, training on writing white papers and how the Fellowship will work in the future.

The event ended with a drinks reception and dinner.

Particularly popular was Richard Gough, himself a Fellow, who spoke on capacity for loss.

Sue Leech, education director at IFP, said: “Richard Gough’s session posed a question to the group ‘how can we best assess and document our clients’ capacity for loss?,’ this was a great interactive session on how to meet the FSA’s COBS requirements and arrived at a broad consensus approach.”

There are currently 77 IFP Fellows and it is regarded one of the most leading qualifications for Financial Planners in the UK. Fellows include former IFP Presidents Julie Lord FIFP CFP^CM and Jane Wheeler, new IFP vice-president Rebecca Taylor FIFP CFP^CM and Financial Planners such as Jeremy Deedes FIFP CFP^CM and Neil Bailey FIFP CFP^CM.

Fellows must have five years financial-related experience and take two exams on personal Financial Planning and planning for business owners.