Former IFP chief executive Nick Cann, who suffered a major stroke in 2013, received two standing ovations at the annual CISI-IFP Financial Planning Conference today with a moving account of his battle to rebuild his life.

Giving the closing keynote of the three day conference, Mr Cann - whose powers of speech were severely affected by the stroke - won his first standing ovation for his presentation on his battle to recover and give meaning to his life by fund raising and striving to get back to health. Using video, slides and some single words he was able to speak he described what happened.

He won his second ovation for entertaining delegates at the end of his presentation by singing two songs, one from Les Miserable, one of his favourites, and the hymn 'You'll Never Walk Alone.' While aphasia caused by the stroke has damaged his ability to speak more than a word or two, he has found that he can sing as it uses a different part of the brain.

Mr Cann also announced at the conference his targets in the coming year were to raise £100,000 for the Stroke Association (he has already raised £68,000 with sponsored cycle rides and other events). Among his other personal targets are to play tennis using his weakened right arm, doing more sport and making the wedding speech for one of his daughters who is getting married in November. 

Mr Cann's stroke happened four years ago as he was about to speak to a group of students about careers in Financial Planning. He explained to delegates about the physical impact of his stroke and how it had affected him and his family both physically and mentally. He said his family and friends had been key to encouraging him to carry on and try to rebuild his life. 

He spoke of his deep pride in his family and particularly wife Jo, who he called "a star", and his children who had all gone on to do well in jobs and study and continued to look after him and stay close.

Mr Cann was the chief executive of the Institute of Financial Planning until it merged with the CISI in late 2015.

Since his life-changing illness Mr Cann has set out to raise awareness and funds for the Stroke Association. This has involved him completing distance cycle event and he has completed a 5km run.

Jacqueline Lockie CFP Chartered FCSI, CISI deputy head of Financial Planning, said: “Nick Cann's story and progress is truly inspirational and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for coming to conference and telling his story."

The CISI’s nominated charity for this year’s conference is Breast Cancer Now and it will also be making a donation to the Stroke Association.