Alan Gow, director of Argonaut Paraplanning and member of the PFS Paraplanner panel, introduces the panel participants from autumn 2023.
Earlier in the year, we set out to recruit some new members for the Personal Finance Society (PFS) Paraplanner Panel; paraplanners who had a vision for what they wanted to achieve by joining. Honestly we were a bit spoilt for choice! Paraplanners remain as passionate as ever.
We’re really pleased to introduce our new members to you now, and each has a focus for the coming year.
New joiner! Hannah Wynick
“Hi, I’m Hannah and I run Core Financial Paraplanning Limited. I live in Leeds with my partner Ben and our dog Eddie. Being one of the new members of the PFS Paraplanner Panel, I know that there are a lot of great things already happening and in the pipeline that I cannot wait to be a part of. In addition to these, I want to encourage and champion more education in schools to encourage young people to want to make other areas of Financial Services (such as paraplanning) a career option and choice, rather than a job that they just fall into.”
New joiner! Jessica Streeter
“I’ve been working as a paraplanner for a little over two years now. My qualifications include holding the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and the Certificate in Securities Advice and Dealing, both accredited by the PFS.
The field of paraplanning has experienced significant transformation over time, each day brings new challenges and opportunities, and it has become an increasingly vital role in the finance industry.
This is precisely why I sought to become a part of this panel – to make a meaningful impact and help fellow paraplanners reach their objectives. Whether it involves enhancing technical expertise or developing essential soft skills, my aim is to contribute to the advancement of our industry, the paraplanning community and assist others in achieving their aspirations.”
New joiner! Phil Greenwood
“I’m Phil, I’m a Fellow of the PFS and have been paraplanning in various guises for around 10 years, the last five have been heading up paraplanning departments and getting quite heavily involved in how the company operates on a wider basis; from process, to training, to technology and most things in between. Through this I’ve seen first-hand how pivotal paraplanners have become.
I am focussed on helping to define the scope of the role and providing guidance to the paraplanning community on best practice. I am passionate about paraplanning as a profession and would love to help provide the next generation of paraplanners a solid foundation to build their careers on.”
New joiner! Laura Royle
“I’ve been a paraplanner for seven years or so and have gained an insight into a range of experiences and challenges that can arise for us. I am currently balancing full time work with finishing studying for Chartered and spending time with my funny and energetic two-year-old daughter. As an ADHDer I like to keep busy (and promote neurodiversity awareness)! I hope to ensure there is inclusive support for paraplanners at all stages of their careers and study paths, reinforce the position of paraplanning as a career in its own right and meet and learn from more members of the Paraplanning community.”
The existing panel members want to say hello and share their thoughts for the next 12 months too.
Scott Buchanan
“I joined the panel around a year ago and I’ve enjoyed playing a part in promoting and developing paraplanning as a profession.
I’m passionate about raising awareness of the paraplanning profession outside the financial planning industry, with the goal of ensuring that people who don’t work in financial planning can comprehend the role when I say ‘I’m a paraplanner!’ I also hope that by raising awareness of paraplanning, we will see more people choosing paraplanning as their career path intentionally, rather than stumbling into it by chance.”
Lyndsey Fraser
“I have been working as a paraplanner for over 17 years and I am a Fellow of the PFS. I would like to bring the knowledge and experience I have gained over the years to share my ideas with other paraplanners, to celebrate and promote paraplanning and to help build an industry of dedicated paraplanners. As a member of the PFS Paraplanner Panel I can do this by providing ongoing and friendly support to paraplanners, by writing best practice guides and articles and by helping organise and taking part in our monthly Paraplanning Labs (which are interactive virtual workshops that are open to all to attend) and our annual Paraplanning Conferences.”
Sasha Wakefield
“I have been paraplanning for around 4.5 years and run The Paraplan Project, a small outsourced paraplanning firm. I obtained Fellow of the PFS back in 2020 and have been on the PFS Paraplanner Panel for a few years now, however, I feel that the next year is going to be the most exciting for our panel audience! I am really looking forward to supporting both new and experienced paraplanning professionals through our various channels, including our Paraplanner Lab webinar sessions, social media networks and most importantly in person. I am most looking forward to our Paraplanning Conference next year where I think we can achieve even greater things than last year, with content hand-picked for us paraplanners!“
Alan Gow
“That leaves me then! I’m Alan and I’m one of the directors at Argonaut Paraplanning, which I set up in 2011. I’ve been on the panel for about 8 years and it’s helped force me to challenge myself, getting involved in things I never thought I’d do, like speaking on stage! My focus this year is on our report writing guide, which will be launched next year, and finding interesting speakers and informative topics for our monthly Paraplanner Labs and the Purely Paraplanning Conference, which will take place in May 2024.”
So that’s your panel! We collectively represent your interests at the PFS, so if you have any comments, ideas or points you’d like to raise with your professional body on behalf of the paraplanning community, do get in touch with any of us. You can also join our LinkedIn group, ‘PFS Paraplanner HQ’. We’d love to hear from you!
