Chartered Financial Planner Brendan O’Ciobhain has been appointed as the new Personal Finance Society president for 2015/16.

O’Ciobhain succeeds retiring president, David Thomas, who has completed his 12 months in office during which time his focus was on the sharing of ‘good practice’.

O’Ciobhain has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, including early advisory roles with MI Group (now City Financial Partners Ltd) and Inter-Alliance. In 2002 he became a partner in Phoenix Wealth Management LLP then Managing Director of the company in 2009.

He has been a member of the Personal Finance Society since its formation and passionately believes in its mission as a professional body and was elected to the board in September 2010, becoming vice president in 2013.

Keith Richards, Personal Finance Society chief executive, said: “Brendan brings a wealth of experience and focus to the role from a practitioner perspective which will help drive further evolution of the Society. We have a fantastic board which provides broad representation of the profession.

“I look forward to working closely with Brendan over the coming year and would also like to thank outgoing President, David Thomas for his support and guidance during the past year.”

O’Ciobhain added: “It is a privilege to be elected president of our professional body which is seeing a huge increase in engagement with our membership over recent years.

“I find it extremely encouraging to see the society take a very positive and pro-active role in supporting professional financial planning across all areas and really build a united profession.”