The Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC) today announced the appointment of Ralph Vizl as Chief Strategy Officer for FP Canada and Head of the FP Canada Institute.

On April 1, 2019, FPSC will be rebranded FP Canada. It will have two divisions: the FP Canada Standards Council and the FP Canada Institute.

Vizl will be responsible for driving strategy for FP Canada and, in his role of Head of the FP Canada Institute, for the development and delivery of products and resources for financial planners and students, says the FPSC. He will also lead all strategic communications and marketing efforts for FP Canada to advance the organization's public profile and the profile of its professional designations: CFP® certification and QAFP™ certification.

"I am delighted to welcome Ralph to the leadership team during FPSC's exciting transition to FP Canada," says Cary List, President and CEO of FPSC. "Ralph is an exceptional strategic leader, with an extensive background in the financial services industry."

Vizl has extensive experience in senior strategy and marketing roles within the financial services industry. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Marketing Delivery in the Individual Customer business unit of Great-West Life. Prior to that, he spent several years at Manulife and its US division, John Hancock Financial Services, in various senior executive roles. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto (BComm) and holds the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation.

"I am thrilled to be joining FP Canada in this newly-created role at such an exciting time for the organization, and for financial planning in Canada," says Vizl. "Financial planning is critical to the financial health of Canadians, and FP Canada and the Institute will play an important role in advancing professional financial planning for the benefit of all Canadians. I look forward to working closely with Cary and the rest of the leadership team to bring the FP Canada vision to life."