Keith Richards is to stand down as chief executive of the Personal Finance Society, bringing an end to his eight-year tenure at the professional body.
Richards will leave the role on June 30 but his future plans have not yet been disclosed.
He joined the PFS in May 2013, after spending nine years at Tenet.
In 2016 he took on the additional role of managing director of engagement at the Chartered Insurance Institute following the instigation of the CII’s strategic manifesto.
Under his leadership, the PFS recorded positive membership growth year on year, totalling over 40,000 individuals and over 200 associate firms whilst also strengthening the society’s overall financial performance.
Sian Fisher CEO of the Chartered Insurance Institute said “Keith has been a committed and much valued colleague who has contributed significantly to the PFS and the CII change programme in the last eight years. We all wish him every success for the future”.
A respected voice with both regulators and governments, Richards was behind several consumer initiatives including the pro-bono programmes of MoneyPlan with Citizens Advice, Forces MoneyPlan for Veterans of the Armed Forces and My Personal Finance Skills, working with schools across the country.
He has also overseen the setting up of the European Financial Planning Association-UK mutual recognition qualification programme and the cross-sector Pensions Advice Taskforce and Financial Vulnerability Taskforce launched in January 2021.
Sarah Lord, president of the Personal Finance Society said Richards had played a pivotal role in the development of the body.
She said: “He has led the evolution of the society to the financial planning community’s leading professional body and, importantly, through his work with members, policymakers and consumers he has played a significant role in raising the profile of our profession, for which, we are all grateful.”
Tom Higgins is a freelance reporter for FTAdviser
