9 November 2012
IFA announces appointment of new chief executive
The Institute of Financial Advisers (IFA) has announced the appointment of its new chief executive, Penny Mudford.
Board chairman Tony Vidler said he is delighted to have Ms Mudford join the IFA. Her knowledge and experience of how
professionals operate and what makes them professionals will be very valuable to the IFA and its members.
Vidler says: “Her proven leadership and communication skills will put the IFA in a stronger position to be heard on
critical issues that affect its members and to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.”
Ms Mudford has a strong background in professional standards, ethics, and professional conduct. She is a highly
respected professional in her own right as a Fellow of the Arbitrator’s and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand. She is
an experienced dispute resolution practitioner, has sat on registration boards and disciplinary tribunals for a variety
of professions and has extensive experience in establishing and maintaining professional standards. She is an
experienced chief executive, previously of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute.
"Penny is well versed in the challenges of developing a professional body like the Institute, and meeting the needs of
its members. She brings to the IFA the unique skill set of maintaining a constant balance between assisting members who
are voluntarily adopting higher standards than the wider industry and enhancing the business operations of the IFA,
whilst remaining focused on the professional obligation to improve the consumer experience and confidence in the value
of good advice," Vidler said.
Ms Mudford says she is excited about the opportunity to work with the IFA and its members and is looking forward to
further developing its role as the professional body in the financial advice sector. She says she strongly believes in
the value of good advice and understands the importance of the role that advisers play in helping clients make sound
financial decisions in order to achieve their financial goals.
Ms Mudford will be responsible for the leading the IFA and ensuring its members have everything they need to help them
and their clients to succeed through the benefit of the professional support and services of the Institute. She will
also be responsible for the overall management of the office in Wellington and the services that the IFA provides to its
members. She takes up her position on 26 November 2012.
ENDS
IFA Vision
To be recognised as the professional body for financial advice in New Zealand
IFA Mission
To help our members reach their full potential to deliver professional, quality financial advice
to New Zealanders
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IFA Background
The Institute of Financial Advisers is the professional body for some 1,000 members, representing financial advisers in
New Zealand. All members are individual members, not corporate members. We estimate that our members provide advice to
some 200,000 New Zealanders each year, many of whom would be couples rather than individuals, with an overall client
base of around 600,000.
Our members provide advice to their clients in the areas of insurance, investments, financial planning, work-based
savings and insurance, retirement planning, estate planning and financial services generally. Their professional
practices reflect the broad spectrum of New Zealand businesses – they operate as local SME’s, are part of large regional
or national dealer groups, are associated with strong financial organisations, services companies in banking, funds
management, or insurance, work in employee benefits organisations, or sometimes practice as lawyers, accountants and
other professional advisers.
The Institute reinforces compliance with a code of ethics and practice standards, runs a Professional Conduct Committee
and Disciplinary Tribunal that are independently chaired, offers education pathways that can lead to professional
designations and the attainment of internationally recognised adviser marks, maintains and ensures compliance with a
continuing professional development programme, and provides networking, education, development, and business practice
forums at a national and regional level for members