"We know that when people get access to good advice they get better outcomes in their lives, so the PFS is uniquely positioned within the CII to help close the gap between the profession and the public."
Overcoming internal issues
Hill joined after a lot of the inner wrangling, which came to a head in December 2022 after the CII intervened to put its own members on the PFS board after "failed mediation".
This precipitated crisis talks and fears of a rift between the PFS and the Institute.
But the new chief executive said he feels the relationships between the PFS and CII are on a great footing.
"The first thing I would say is the PFS and CII are perfectly capable of having a sensible, grown-up conversation about where the future lies for professional leadership in this sector.
"Every PFS member is a CII member too. You could be forgiven to thinking that there are two entirely separate groups of members that never overlap or intertwine, and that is just not the case.
"Our members have a love for the Charter and see their future as a world in which the PFS and CII are in lockstep, delivering for members."
And that, he said puts the Institute on a strong growth trajectory that will extend a "purpose" to the whole of society.
Hill explained: "I met dozens of professional bodies in my career but this is the first time I've been asked to come in and lead one.
"What strikes me is that we have to think beyond the transactional - getting members signed up. I mean, numbers go up and down every month and if you are only focusing on that, you're not understanding how to help the membership thrive and unlock their 'professional power'.
"We need to develop a notion of a membership for a purpose. How do we build up our communities so that members can have that sense of identity and pride and purpose and excitement about what they do?
"How can we help them bridge that advice or insurance gap with the public and show that these services are fundamental to the operation of our society?"
Hill said Britons still might be nervous about using an adviser or getting insurance, so "we need to help education them on how much value they get".
He added: "We need to open channels of connection with the public to help members express those values. They are a force for good in society."
Consumer duty
Consumer duty, which came into force in 2023, has affected everyone in financial services - insurers and advisers alike.
For Hill, this means there must be a focus on driving ever-higher professional standards amid regulatory change.
