The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment has elected its South East president.

The professional body, which represents wealth management and financial planning professionals, will be led by Katie Presland an investment manager at the Tunbridge Wells office of Charles Stanley.

The institute, known as the CISI, has a global community of about 400,000 members in 116 countries.

More than 40,000 CISI exams were sat in 80 countries last year.

Ms Pesland, who has been vice-president of the branch since its inception three years ago, said: “I am proud to have been elected as the president of the CISI’s South East branch.

“Over the past three years, we have been trying to raise the profile of the CISI locally and have organised many events in the Tunbridge Wells area.

“This year our events have proved a great success, bringing over 60 local members of the CISI together.”