In the latest senior role turnaround at The Personal Finance Society, President Carla Brown has taken on the additional role of chair to replace Christine Elliott, who has left after only eight months.

In a brief statement the PFS - the 40,000 member professional body for Chartered Financial Planners - said the move had been made, “following a decision by Christine Elliott to stand down from the PFS.”

The PFS, part of the Chartered Insurance Institute, declined to provide any more details when asked the reasons behind her decision to stand down.

The organisation has been beset with a large number of board departures in recent times and continuing unhappiness from some members about the direction of the organisation and the usage of financial reserves.

The PFS said in a statement it, “is very grateful to Christine Elliott for her contribution during two periods as chair, and one as senior independent director.”

The PFS added: “Carla’s appointment will re-establish the tradition of the PFS President holding both roles concurrently.”

Ms Brown is a Chartered Financial Planner, managing director of Oakmere Wealth Management and Director of CL Wills and Estate Planning.

The organisation has undergone several changes at the top in recent years.

PFS interim chief executive Don MacIntyre stepped down from his role in November. His two years in the role saw him face a challenging time as head of the organisation. He has yet to be replaced and there is no word yet on a timetable to replace him or if his role will be replaced.

At the time the PFS said it wanted to reassure all members that the organisation is in good hands. It said: “The executive team remains fully committed to advancing the goals of the PFS and will continue to work closely with the board to ensure a smooth transition and sustained support for the society’s valued members.”

Later that month PFS members rejected two key motions at the AGM in Manchester in a serious blow for the board.

In an unexpected vote, motions to accept the Report and Financial Statements for the society and reappoint the auditors were both rejected at the AGM.

The PFS board then wrote to rebel members saying it was aiming to "understand" why they voted against the two motions.

It appointed two new board members last month. Kate Gannon and Craig Palfrey join the Board on 3 March. Ms Gannon is a Chartered Financial Planner, a Fellow of the PFS and a founder of Themis Wealth Management in Cornwall.

Mr Palfrey has been Certified Financial Planner since 2007 and managing director of Penguin Wealth Planners since 2010, where he leads the Financial Planning team.

Later in March Chartered Insurance Practitioner Ian Callaghan of Wales became a director of the PFS while Matthew Mallett was terminated as a director on 4 April.

Mr Callaghan is currently insurer relations director at Kingfisher Group and has been a past president of both the North Wales and Chester Insurance Institute and Kendal Insurance Institute.