More than 1,200 attendees have registered to attend this week's PFS Annual Conference taking place in Manchester just days after PFS interim CEO Don Macintyre quit after two years in role.

As the PFS searches for a new chief executive, the PFS AGM will take place this afternoon in person and online followed by the annual conference tomorrow.

Mr Macintyre has not disclosed his reasons for leaving but is looking for new opportunities elsewhere as he felt it was the right time to do so. He has rebutted criticism that the CII has misused PFS reserves.

Some PFS members unhappy with the influence of PFS parent body the Chartered Insurance Institute are expected to ask challenging questions at the AGM about the future of the 40,000 member professional body which awards the Chartered Financial Planner qualification.

The PFS Conference itself, one of the biggest events in the Financial Planning calendar, will take place tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Manchester Central event venue in the heart of Manchester

Christine Elliott, chair of the PFS board, told Financial Planning Today that the PFS was listening to members and wanted to hear all views at the AGM and conference.

She said: “My board colleagues and I want to thank all the dedicated volunteers who give so much to our profession outside of their day jobs. I am especially pleased to see the response to our AGM meeting invitation. Members should be at the centre of our decision-making and policy formation, the PFS exists to serve their best interests. Whatever members' views, we need to hear and take them into account.

She said the conference was the flagship event for the PFS.

She said: “The PFS National Conference is our flagship event of the year and will bring our brilliant profession together to share insight and inspiration. We’re very excited to welcome more than 1,200 PFS members to Manchester, who will be able to join discussions with a stellar cast of speakers, from tech entrepreneurs, to journalism, to Formula 1 and much more.

“I look forward to meeting as many people as possible and continuing our work to enhance a magnificent profession that is fundamental to understanding how best to manage money and so to building a thriving UK economy.”

This year’s event will look at the impact of the digital world on the Financial Planning profession. The conference title is: 'Rewired - Planning for a hybrid world'.

The conference will look at every aspect of financial advice including advice for millennials and Gen Xers. It will also look at finluencers, TikTok and how an increasingly remote world may impact the profession.

The PFS says: “This year’s conference will explore how advisers can meet both traditional and digital client needs, and communicate across generations.”

Keynote speakers include Jason Bates, tech entrepreneur and co-founder of both Monzo and Starling bank; Iona Bain, founder of the Young Money blog and a financial journalist and broadcaster; Guenther Steiner, former team principal of the Haas F1 teams and Karun Chandhok, former F1 racing driver and commentator.

There will be 20 sessions in five theatres covering all aspects of Financial Planning plus coverage of Consumer Duty, the Sustainability Disclosure Regime, inter-generational wealth planning and AI.

• Follow Financial Planning Today tomorrow for regular coverage of the event.