Johnston is PFS’s youngest chartered champion

Lisa Johnston of Glasgow-based VWM Wealth is blazing a trail for up-and-coming financial advisers by becoming the youngest chartered champion of the Personal Finance Society (PFS).

Johnston, 31, was appointed chartered champion for west Scotland earlier this year, just 12 months after becoming an adviser at VWM.

She graduated with a financial services degree from Glasgow Caledonian University and completed the PFS exams while working as a paraplanner in Belfast.

Johnston said it could be difficult to explain the chartered brand to other professions but that the movement was gaining recognition.

‘The biggest challenge is articulating the importance and value of the chartered financial planner title among other professions, individuals and clients,’ she said.

‘Momentum is certainly building in this area and it really is an exciting time to be involved in promoting the gold standard of financial planning.’

She added: ‘I would also like to get involved in helping other paraplanners to prominence, through attaining their chartered status and encouraging them to be involved with the events and support that the PFS provides locally and regionally.’