Having completed his 50th industry anniversary in 2021, Ian is an acknowledged leader and sought-after presenter. After starting on the Administrative side of the house, he moved to the field in 1976 and completed the Life Underwriters Association Training Course in 1979 along with the LUAC Financial Planning Skills Course. Throughout his career, he has attended numerous schools in Agency and Sales Management through the Life Insurance Marketing Research Association. He attained his CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) designation in 1987 while also completing the Investment Funds Institute of Canada Mutual Fund qualification and Fellowship in the Life Management Institute with a specialty in Financial Services. In 1989, he qualified as a Chartered Financial Consultant.
In 1992, he became qualified as an Associate of the Academy of Home Office Life Underwriters (Head Office underwriter qualification) and in 1993, he completed his Associate, Customer Service designation program through the Life Office Management Association. In 1997, he qualified as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and completed the courses and exams to obtain the Associate, Insurance Agency Administration designation. In 1999, he completed the study and examinations to qualify as a Trading Officer and Partner for Mutual funds with the Mutual Fund Dealer’s Association. In early 2018, he successfully completed the ETF Marketing Course with the Canadian Securities Institute. In 2021, he qualified as a Registered Retirement Consultant (RRC) and successfully completed Exempt Market Products training in 2022.
Long known as an innovative, creative, and forward thinker in the financial services world, Ian enjoys the challenge of learning new material and planning for the future evolution of our profession. As a past Senior Editor and Contributing Writer for MONEY MAGAZINE, Ian is recognized throughout the financial services community in Canada. He also teaches a variety of courses through Ashton College, based in Vancouver. (HLLQP, CIFC, and the CLU, CHS, and CFP programs). As a strong supporter of ADVOCIS, FP Canada, and the IFB, Ian has been an active member of the Disciplinary Hearing Panel for the FPSC from 2015 through 2017. He was a Quarterback for the IAFE for four and a half years. Ian is also an Associate of the Certified Fraud Examiners. He is a past qualifier for MDRT.
As a Marketing Director and Senior Advisor/Financial Planner with Customplan Financial Advisors Inc., he uses his knowledge, skills, and qualifications to expand advisors’ proficiency in both operating their businesses effectively and serving the needs of their clients. He is also the Branch Compliance Manager for advisors associated with Monarch Wealth Corporation (an MFDA Dealer) in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
Ian is life licensed in BC and Mutual Fund registered in BC, AB, SK, and MB. He can be reached at 604.888.3078 or iwhiting@customplanfinancial.com or iwhiting@monarchwealth.ca.