Personal Finance Society appoints interim CEO

The Personal Finance Society (PFS) has announced the appointment of Don MacIntyre as interim CEO to provide executive leadership for the professional body, starting this week. The announcement comes as the PFS evolves its working practices and governance to “further its members’ interests” and the “positive reputation” of the personal finance and financial planning profession. MacIntyre joins the PFS after having recently led the UK Cyber Security Council, a self-regulating body for the UK’s cyber security profession. In his new role, he will have a number of priority programmes for the remainder of 2022, including to promote the PFS strategic plan, and enable the PFS to deliver the Festival of Financial Planning event in November 2022. MacIntyre will also support the board to ensure that the PFS continues to provide members with their Statements of Professional Standing through the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), contemporary training and chartered status. Additionally, he will work with the board as well as an executive search consultancy to secure a permanent CEO and undertake a “smooth” transition in leadership early in 2023. Sarah Lord, president of the PFS, said: “The Board is delighted that Don will bring his varied expertise and extensive experience to this important role. Not only will he represent and advocate for PFS members’ interests, he will also work closely with the board to preserve PFS assets and enhance our governance.” MacIntyre added: “Maintaining public confidence and a laser focus on members’ interests and the means by which the PFS can meet their needs, efficiently, effectively, and consistently will be a significant part of my work in the coming months.” Jonathan Clark, outgoing interim CEO of the CII, said: “One of the key findings from our Shaping the future together consultation was that members wanted continued collaboration between the CII and Personal Finance Society (PFS) Boards and a new PFS leader within the group. This was both welcomed and supported by the CII Board. “We look forward to closer collective engagement, so we have a united understanding of the challenges the professions face. We can then deal with those challenges in a simple, clear way; a way that – without compromise – always has our membership at heart.”