Nick Bamford is Executive Director of Informed Choice Ltd a firm of Chartered Financial Planners based in Cranleigh, Surrey. In 2000 he became a Board Director of SOFA and in 2001 was elected Vice Chairman. He was appointed as Chairman in 2002 and served in that position until SOFA merged with the Life Insurance Association (LIA) at the end of 2004 to form the PFS. During his Chairmanship application was made to the Privy Council for Chartered Status for Financial Planers. He subsequently served on the CII Examiners Committee and the Financial Services Skills Council Accreditation Committee. He has a CII Advanced Diploma in Risk Management. Please note: The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by our contributing authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of unbiased.co.uk.