Five of the IFP’s 22 UK branches are in new hands for 2012. As well as welcoming the five new branch chairs, the IFP would like to extend the warmest of thanks to the five chairmen stepping down, for the significant contribution they have made to the development of the profession in their regions.

All IFP branch chairmen are volunteers and commit large amounts of time and effort into organising and running branch meetings throughout the year, . Taking over from former chairman Damien Rylett for 2012 is Julian Frere CFP^CM of AWD Chase de Vere.

All the Bristol branch meetings continue to take place at the offices of branch sponsors Clarke Willmott in the heart of Bristol. There will be nine meetings in total, each starting at 4pm. Replacing Tony Larkins CFP^CM as East Midlands branch chair is Gini Bolton CFP^CM of Accredited Financial Planning Firm and Norton Award winners Fiscal Engineers. Gini has moved meetings from Peterborough to Nottingham due to member demand. The branch is sponsored by Transact and plans to hold seven meetings in 2012, each taking place from 15.30 to 18.00 with two separate sessions and speakers each time including Tim Hale, Paul Etheridge FIFP CFP^CM and Nick Cann CFP^CM.

Nicola Jackson CFP^CM took over the reins of Scotland branch from Stephen Walters in the autumn. She has organised seven meetings for 2012, and has committed to hold meetings in both Glasgow and Edinburgh for members’ convenience. The branch kicks off its 2012 programme on 2 February when it welcomes Brian Sweeney CFP^CM as speaker.

South Wales branch is holding 2012 meetings at the offices of Brewin Dolphin in central Cardiff. Chairing of the branch has switched from Gareth Tregidon CFP^CM to Craig Palfrey CFP^CM of Accredited Financial Planning firm Penguin. Craig has organised four meetings for 2012, two in the morning

from 8.30 until 12.00 and two in the afternoons, from 12.30 until 16.00. Each meeting will have two invited speakers followed by a roundtable discussion.

Finally, Diane Weitz CFP^CM of Ashlea Financial Planning has taken over the chairmanship of Cotswolds Branch from Steve Kirby CFP^CM. With afternoon meetings taking place at the Cheltenham offices of Zurich and evening meetings at The George Hotel, Cheltenham, Diane has included a mix of times as well as topics covering business practice, technical matters and personal development.