Dan Atkinson, has been appointed as chair of the CISI Paraplanner Interest Group, taking over the role from Farida Hassanali who held the position since the Group was established in early 2016.
The Group is run by volunteers and organises events over the year, with its practitioner committee playing a key role in the organising of the CISI annual Paraplanner Conference.
The CISI said the Group is open to all CISI members and non-CISI members “who have a drive and passion for the profession of paraplanning”.
Dan’s day job is head of Technical at EQ Investors and he has been a CISI Interest Group member for four years. He has achieved several industry accolades, including IFP Paraplanner of the Year in 2014, Professional Paraplanner Personality of the Year 2017 and Money Marketing Best Paraplanner 2017.
A regular contributor to Professional Paraplanner, Dan recently passed with distinction the CISI Level 6 Certificate in Advanced Financial Planning. Outside of work he is a deacon with his local church and married with a young daughter.
Jacqueline Lockie, CISI head of Financial Planning, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dan as chair of our Paraplanner Interest Group. He is passionate about both the paraplanner profession and the development of its people. We look forward to building in 2020 on the excellent leadership provided by his predecessor Farida Hassanali and would like to thank her for her dedication and commitment to the Group. We wish her well for the future.”
Dan added: “I’m excited to be a part of the growing paraplanner community – a part of our financial profession which is passionate about sharing best practice and new ideas. It’s an honour to belong to this community and help CISI provide support to the members of the Paraplanner Interest Group.
“I am looking forward to taking on the role of chairing the committee which gives structure and direction to the work that CISI does with paraplanners. Together with the other committee members and the CISI team we look forward to providing support and professional development opportunities to members whatever their career path or position.”
