The Personal Finance Society has postponed all its large-scale events to 2021 but the professional body will go ahead with a series of smaller and virtual events this year.

The PFS has decided that due to the uncertainty of future social distancing rules and to ensure the safety of members it will delay the Festival of Financial Planning.

The event would have seen thousands of Financial Planners gather at Birmingham NEC in November. The event attracted 3,500 people the last time it was held in 2018.

The graduation ceremony for Personal Finance Society members that was due to take place in October has also been delayed to 2021.

The Personal Finance Society’s Awards, which were due to be presented at this year’s Festival, will take place virtually on 3 November 2020.

The PFS said that over the next few weeks members will receive details of a series of virtual events and smaller scale physical events that will take place across the final quarter of 2020.

Seven physical investment events will take place across the UK. The events will be held at venues that are accessible without having to use public transport and able to meet the government’s Covid-19 safe requirements. They will take place in November for members to share good practice with their peers on how they have been working and adapting their businesses. Presentations by the speakers and content will be made available online for those that cannot attend.

Keith Richards, chief executive of the Personal Finance Society, said: “To provide greater certainty we will be converting most of our remaining events to digital but will retain a commitment to seven specialist Investment conferences later in the year, with the option to switch to digital if necessary.

“Naturally we are disappointed to have to defer the Festival as I know that many were looking forward to it being the biggest gathering of Financial Planners, with the previous Festival attracting more than 3,000 attendees.

“To continue to help our members with the challenges and opportunities they face as a result of Covid-19, we feel the best approach is to host smaller regional gatherings, videos and live streamed content for the remainder of this year.

“This blended programme of smaller regional meetings for the end of 2020 plus virtual events will ensure financial advisers can stay safe, informed and remain connected to the wider profession during these challenging times.”