The IFP's second Paraplanner conference in May welcomed over 100 delegates who enjoyed a first class programme of speakers and excellent networking among their peers.
High points in the agenda included speaker Steve Head who reminded delegates about rewarding the positive and not concentrating on the negatives. The FSA stood up to the plate and provided a speaker who had actually worked as a Paraplanner in the past and therefore had great empathy with the audience and the role that they fulfilled.
Richard Allum CFPCM, Kim Bendall CFPCM, Jane Holt and Claire Goodwin ran a session on the differences in the role, particularly comparing internal and outsourced roles and Richard talked through cashflow modelling and the impact that this had on Financial Planning.
The unorthodox and wonderful BJ Cunningham finished the day in style, with an entrepreneur's view on marketing and brand building and the importance of the message and communication.
The IFP's annual Paraplanner Survey confirmed that the average age of Paraplanners was still nearer to mid-30s with a high proportion of females in the role. The important news is that the outside world is now getting more comfortable with the importance of the Paraplanner role within the Financial Planning profession and how it fits into a winning proposition for the future.