Mumbai: FPSB India, the Indian subsidiary of Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB), has announced the appointment of Ramesh Vishwanathan as its new Chief Executive Officer. He will assume the role later this month and will be responsible for driving the organisation’s strategic direction, growth initiatives, and efforts to advance professional standards in financial planning across India through the promotion of CFP® certification.
FPSB is the global standards-setting body for the financial planning profession and owner of the internationally recognised CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification programme, which is regarded as a global benchmark for excellence in financial planning.
Vishwanathan brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the financial services industry, with a strong track record in business building, strategic partnerships, customer-centric innovation, and profitable growth. His appointment comes at a time when demand for professional financial planning services continues to rise in India.
Commenting on the appointment, Dante De Gori, CFP, CEO, FPSB, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ramesh to the FPSB family. India continues to be one of the fastest-growing markets for the CFP certification globally, and we are confident that his leadership and industry expertise will further strengthen the financial planning profession and the CFP professional ecosystem in India.”
FPSB also acknowledged the contribution of Chandrakant Sureka, who oversaw executive business operations for FPSB India on an interim basis during the leadership transition.
The appointment comes against a backdrop of strong growth for the financial planning profession in India. According to FPSB, the number of CFP professionals in the country increased by 9.9% year-on-year in 2025, taking the total count to 3,534 professionals. Globally, the CFP professional community expanded to 236,300 professionals across 29 territories, with a net addition of 5,652 professionals during the year.
The organisation also highlighted progress in diversity within the profession, with women accounting for 23.6% of CFP professionals in India, reflecting growing participation across the sector.
Speaking on his appointment, Ramesh Vishwanathan, CEO-designate, FPSB India, said, “I am honoured to join FPSB India at an exciting phase of growth for the financial planning profession. I look forward to working closely with industry stakeholders and CFP professionals to further enhance awareness around financial planners who commit to ethics and competency standards and contribute towards the vision of a financially empowered Viksit Bharat.”
Industry observers note that the growing number of CFP professionals reflects increasing awareness of financial planning as a profession and rising consumer demand for qualified advisors who prioritise clients’ interests. The trend also underscores a broader recognition of the role financial planning plays in helping individuals make informed financial decisions and achieve long-term life goals.
With Vishwanathan at the helm, FPSB India aims to further strengthen the CFP professional ecosystem, expand awareness of financial planning standards, and support the development of a more financially informed and empowered society.
