PARAPLANNING - FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

The PFS Paraplanning Panel welcomes two new members and provides an update on its activities

The Paraplanning Panel is continuing its key role in developing skills, knowledge and good practice as part of the PFS’s wider programme of continuing professional development (CPD) and making sure the paraplanning community is represented in the profession.

This month, the panel has welcomed two new members: Scott Buchanan APFS, technical support consultant at Chartered financial planners Principal & Prosper; and Raveen Kaur Sethi, client relationship paraplanner at Quilter Private Client Advisers.

“I am delighted to be able to play a part in helping to promote and develop a profession that I love,” Buchanan tells us on joining the panel.

“Paraplanning is increasingly being recognised as a profession in its own right that requires a different skillset than being a financial planner. I look forward to working with the other panel members to build on the fantastic work they have already done developing and promoting paraplanning as a profession.

“Outside of the financial planning profession, I think there is a real lack of awareness of paraplanning, which is resulting in a shortage of paraplanners – most people that have not worked in financial planning have no idea what a paraplanner does. I would like to see this change by raising awareness of paraplanning with people outside of the industry.

“I also look forward to getting involved in the upcoming events tailored towards paraplanners that the panel is working on and engaging with the wider paraplanning community,” says Buchanan.

Kaur Sethi explains: “As a south Asian woman, I am a minority in my profession for two separate reasons. It would be inspiring to see more exposure through role models, which is one of the main reasons I have joined the panel. Having representation makes the profession and the success that comes with it much more attainable.

“I started paraplanning five years ago and, although sometimes overlooked, there is so much value and technicality that comes with the role. No two days are the same for a paraplanner. There is a range of qualities and comprehensive knowledge required and I want to encourage and provide greater insight on: working with advisers, having the confidence to confident enough to challenge advisers, qualifications we can benefit from and overall tips and tricks to help us flourish in our profession all while creating a community.”

Join the Paraplanning Lab

The panel also continues to hold its monthly paraplanning lab sessions, which take place virtually during lunchtime on the first Wednesday of each month. The members welcome all paraplanners and aspiring paraplanners to join them in an open discussion session on an ‘in the spotlight’ topic, each time with a different expert guest speaker.

In November, the most recent session focused on career paths and development, while upcoming sessions include a Christmas quiz on 7 December and a look at imposter syndrome on 11 January.

To register for any of these sessions, please email: pfsevents@thepfs.org.

Image credit | IKON