The Chartered Insurance Institute has launched its first Apprenticeship Awards.

Platform and retirement provider Embark has launched The Paraplanner Room, a new hub for Paraplanners providing topical information and tools.

In an exclusive column for the latest issue of Financial Planning Today Magazine, Nitu Mehra, founder of i-Paraplan, talks about the reasons she decided to launch her own business.

In this exclusive Guest Column for Financial Planning Today, Caroline Stuart of Sparrow Paraplanning looks at differing views of Paraplanners.

The Personal Finance Society (PFS) has appointed Caroline Stuart as the professional body’s new President.

One of the biggest events in the Paraplanning calendar, the ‘Big Day Out’, will return next week after a three year gap due to the pandemic.

Fast-growing Financial Planning group Kingswood has hired Jessica McGuigan from Schroders Personal Wealth as the firm commits to increasing its number of female advisers from 15% to 25% this year.

Paraplanners are feeling increasing appreciated by the advisers they work with, according to a new report from platform Embark.

Male Paraplanners are over four times more likely to want to become financial advisers than female Paraplanners, according to new research.

Leading Paraplanner and former President of the PFS Caroline Stuart shares her tips on networking at events for those a little apprehensive of meeting new people. A full version of this article, which has been inspired by a LinkedIn post, will appear in the Sept-Oct edition of Financial Planning Today magazine. 

September is the beginning of financial services Conference Season, but for many, the thought of going to an event, particularly alone, can be at best daunting and at worst, bring them out in a cold, terrifying sweat.

I’ve never been a natural networker and always seemed to feel like a peanut in a packet of crisps at events. I’d be the one in the corner pretending to read a hand-out or ‘checking emails’.

That was until I went to my very first Paraplanners' Assembly in 2013, which was filled with people just like me. They were also super friendly and easy to talk to. Striking up conversation with new people was still way out of my comfort zone but I forced myself to do it and I’m so glad I did.

As a result of that very first Assembly, I now have a great group of friends, peers and colleagues and I’ve gone on to do things in my career I'd never have done if not for the confidence I’ve built, starting from that very first event. So if getting out to events feels like a real challenge, here are some of my top tips I’ve learned over the years that have helped me:

1. Get prepared – think about a few simple universal questions you could ask anyone – where are they from?, what has been their favourite session?, etc
2. Get Involved - If there’s an app or social media chatter about the event, try and connect with people beforehand so you have a familiar face when you get there
3.  Take a pal! – Things are always easier with some support, can you go with a colleague or peer?
4.  Get Introduced – If it’s more comfortable, you could ask colleagues to introduce you to people to get the ball rolling.
5.  Remember, you are not alone – Don’t forget, others may also be nervous – if there’s someone else on their own looking a bit unsure, why not buddy up with them

Failing all of those though, if you see me at an event, you can come and practice your networking skills on me – I’m always very happy to have a natter!  

Caroline Stuart APP Chartered MSCI Caroline Stuart is the founder of outsourced Paraplanning firm Sparrow Paraplanning in Melton Mowbray. She is a multi award winning Paraplanner providing Paraplanning, report writing and technical support to UK Financial Planners and advisers. She also runs Sparrow Solutions, providing training, workshops, CPD events and operational support to Financial Planning and Paraplanning businesses www.sparrowsols.co.uk

www.sparrowparaplanning.co.uk