Ascot Lloyd Financial Planning director and former British Olympic rowing gold medallist Zac Purchase-Hill MBE has become President of the CISI Cotswolds branch committee.
He replaces James Swaby Chartered FCSI who has served as President for three years.
Mr Purchase-Hill works as Financial Planning director at Ascot Lloyd Financial Planning and works with private clients, high-net-worth individuals and families.
In tandem with his role at Ascot Lloyd Financial Planning, he is also involved in professional leadership and development within the Financial Planning profession and has worked to raise professional standards and help support the next generation of Financial Planners.
Prior to joining the finance sector he spent 10 years with British rowing and Team GB, winning Olympic Gold and Silver medals for Great Britain. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2009 for services to sport.
Mr Purchase won an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and also achieved a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Both of his medals were won in the Lightweight Men's Double Sculls and he has also won three gold, one silver and a bronze at the World Rowing Championships. He is now retired from the sport.
The CISI says the Cotswolds branch region has a high density of Financial Planning, wealth management and private client services.
Mr Purchase-Hill said: "Zac said: “I’m honoured to be appointed President of the Cotswolds branch. The CISI plays a vital role in setting and maintaining professional standards and I’m proud to support that mission at a local level. I’m particularly looking forward to building on the strong foundations already in place, bringing members together through engaging events, and supporting collaboration, learning and professional development across the region.
“I’d like to thank James sincerely for his leadership and commitment to the branch. He has done a fantastic job in strengthening engagement and momentum locally, and I’m grateful for the work he’s done in handing over such a strong platform to build from.”
Tracy Vegro OBE, CISI chief executive, said: “Congratulations to Zac on his appointment. His commitment to raising professional standards will serve the Cotswolds professional community well and we look forward to supporting him. Thank you, too, to James, for all of your work chairing the committee up until this point and leading a positive, growing community.”
The CISI, which awards the Certified Financial Planner qualification in the UK among other qualifications, is based in the City of London and has offices in financial centres such as Colombo, Dubai, Sydney, Dublin, Glasgow, London, Mumbai and Nairobi. It has 57,000 members in over 100 countries.