The two newest members of the IFP board have said they wanted to give something back to the profession and help spread the word to a wider audience about the importance of Financial Planning.
Martin Ruskin CFPCM and Craig Palfrey CFPCM have set out their views and visions for the IFP after taking their seats on the board.
The pair were officially confirmed as winning the election to the board at the October AGM, which was held during the IFP conference week.

{desktop}{/desktop}{mobile}{/mobile}

In a letter to Financial Planner magazine, Mr Palfrey said: "I feel the message the IFP is trying to share is important and it's vital we find a way to connect with more advisers and, more importantly, the public about the benefits of Financial Planning."
He wrote: "The IFP board was something I always planned to try to get involved with during my career as I have always felt I wanted to give something back. The opportunity has probably arisen a little earlier than I had planned but I didn't want to miss the chance."
Mr Palfrey, a Certified Financial Planner at Penguin Wealth, said the "enormity of the role, task and trust only really hit me an hour or so after the AGM" and was delighted to "have the opportunity to be involved with shaping the future of Financial Planning in the UK and contributing to this wonderful industry of ours in a major way".
He believes more should be done to "demystify complex subjects" through using tools such as social media. He said: "Financial Planners should consider how they can present ideas in a creative manner."
Mr Ruskin, head of business development at Paradigm Norton, said he was inspired by attending the Australian conference in 2013.
He wrote: "With 125,000 CFP holders around the globe, we as a profession influence the financial well-being of millions of people and this fact truly awakened me to the potential for us in the UK to move beyond the almost secret professions that exists.
"That's the reason I wanted to play whatever part I could to help spread the message to the wider advisory/planning community, the general population and other professionals."
He wanted to get more involved at grass roots level and has taken on the South West Branch Chair role from Pete Matthew.
He said: "I now find myself as Branch Chair and board member. Being in a firm that has produced three former IFP Presidents (David Norton, Jane Wheeler and Barry Horner) and with Paradigm Norton seen by many as at the forefront of the profession, I do feel a burden of responsibility to help and build the profession in a way that they were able to. And I very much hope my contribution will do just that." 

Get FREE daily news summaries direct to your inbox. Sign up on the homepage now.

Follow us on Twitter  and get frequent news alerts @FPM_online.

Or follow Editor Kevin O'Donnell - @FPM_Kevin or staff writer James Nadal - @FPM_James.

For the latest Sipp, SSAS and retirement news visit our sister news site www.sippsprofessional.co.uk and on Twitter @SippsPro.