Insurance And Financial Practitioners Association Of Singapore

The Insurance and Financial Practitioners Association of Singapore (IFPAS), under the leadership of its President Derrick Yip, continues to advance its role as a professional body committed to elevating standards, strengthening practitioner capability, and reinforcing public trust in Singapore’s financial advisory sector. The leadership approach is anchored in a collective, ecosystem-driven direction that positions IFPAS not only as a representative body, but as an active shaper of industry professionalism.

In recent years, IFPAS has strengthened its focus on raising professional standards and reinforcing ethical practice across the financial advisory community. A key milestone in this direction is the introduction and development of the Trusted Financial Practitioner (TrFP®) Awards, established under Derrick Yip’s leadership to recognise advisers who demonstrate strong ethical conduct, client-first service, and professional excellence. This framework reflects a broader intent to embed trust and accountability as core pillars of the profession. In parallel, efforts have also been made to refresh and modernise the association’s identity, ensuring relevance to today’s financial advisory landscape while reinforcing its core values of professionalism, integrity, and trust.

A consistent priority has been the development of structured pathways for practitioner growth. IFPAS has supported the expansion of certification programmes, training initiatives, and continuous professional development frameworks designed to enhance advisory capability across different stages of a practitioner’s career. Alongside this, there has been a strong emphasis on mentorship and peer learning, with community-based structures strengthened to enable experienced practitioners to guide and support newer advisers, reinforcing long-term sustainability within the profession.

Recognising the importance of public confidence in financial advisory services, IFPAS has also strengthened its public engagement and advocacy efforts. These initiatives aim to improve awareness of the value of professional financial advice while reinforcing the importance of ethical and competent advisory practices. Through media engagement, stakeholder partnerships, and industry outreach, the association continues to advocate for higher standards of professionalism, contributing to a stronger perception of financial practitioners as trusted advisors in Singapore.

Under Derrick Yip’s leadership, a clear strategic framework has been articulated to guide IFPAS’ long-term direction, built on five interconnected pillars: Integrity & Identity, focusing on strengthening ethical standards and professional unity; Future-Ready Practitioners, expanding access to upskilling, certifications, and relevant competencies; Public Trust & Professionalism, enhancing credibility through sustained education and stakeholder engagement; Advocacy for All Practitioners, ensuring inclusive support across career stages; and Supportive Professional Community, building structured mentorship and peer-learning ecosystems. This framework reflects a shift towards ecosystem leadership, where impact is defined by the collective uplift of the profession rather than individual or isolated initiatives.

The leadership philosophy guiding this direction is grounded in a simple principle:

“To protect, promote, and professionalise financial planning in Singapore is not only a vision, but a shared responsibility measured by the standards we raise and the trust we earn.”

Under this direction, IFPAS continues to evolve as a professional body that actively strengthens industry standards, builds practitioner capability, and enhances public trust. Through a structured ecosystem approach, the association is advancing a more unified, credible, and future-ready financial advisory profession in Singapore.