DECEMBER 2019
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DECEMBER 2019
THIS ISSUE
Where are they now?
For this issue’s Paraplanner Profile Rob Kingsbury revisited three of our cover stars to see how their careers had progressed since last we spoke with them.
Viewpoint: Suitability report writing
When engaging with clients it’s all about ‘you’, says Dan Atkinson, head of Technical at EQ Investors
Vulnerability and capability
Does being vulnerable mean a client isn’t capable of making financial decisions? Jacqueline Lockie, head of Financial Planning at the CISI, uses a case study to delve deeper into this question
Millionaire ISAs and Tax
We might all like to be an ISA millionaire but with it can come a range of financial planning headaches, says John Humphreys, Inheritance Tax Specialist, WAY Investment Services
Protection
Obtaining insurance for clients with diabetes is being made easier by improvements in underwriting, explains Helen Dick, senior manager Underwriting and Claims Strategy, Scottish Widows
Guide to…
Curtis Banks’ Greg Kingston looks at key considerations when considering property purchase within a SIPP
TDQ: Tax
Self-assessment dates and fines imposed may seem like a fairly straightforward piece of knowledge but that is why they are often forgotten and exam marks are lost. Exams include the CII’s R03 and AF1
5 minutes with…
Rob Kingsbury talked to Andy Schleider, director and paraplanner at Tunbridge Wells-located Haven Paraplanning Ltd
Pensions and divorce
Obtaining a fair capital value of pension assets to assess a future income stream is crucial in achieving a fair outcome for clients in divorce. But often this is easier said than done
Research focus
Rob Kingsbury spoke with Zahid Bilgrami, CEO of Defaqto, about the company’s ethos and what the company offers paraplanners to help provide better outcomes for clienta
THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Emerging markets
The nature of emerging markets is changing, says Darius McDermott, managing director, FundCalibre. So is now the time to be looking at the sector, with a long-term view?
Fund manager interview
Rob Kingsbury talked to Jamie Ward, fund manager of the FP CRUX UK Fund, about the fund’s focus on risk to capital and why his investment approach means he tends not to meet company management
Trends in sustainable investing
Mike Fox, head of UK sustainable investments at Royal London Asset Management, outlines how sustainable investing might develop over the next decade
Top 5 VCT tips
There are five core things to remember when investing in a VCT, says Luke Barnett, analyst at MJ Hudson Allenbridge
NOVEMBER 2019
THIS ISSUE
Paraplanner profile
Rob Kingsbury talked to Siân Davies Cole, head of paraplanning at Aspirations, about what she believes it takes to run a paraplanning team and how she had to adapt her plans to get her dream role when it arose
NEW SERIES
5 minutes with…
We kick off a new series with a quick fire interview with Chris Sandfield, CEO of digital investment platform Coinvestor
NEW SERIES
Guide to….
In the first article in another new series, providing insight for paraplanners new to the industry, Paul Darvill, Administration and Technical director, Talbot and Muir, looks at the structure and use of a SSAS and the effective way to establish the vehicle for a business
Outsourcing/freelance: Challenges of going it alone
The promise and excitement around setting up your own outsourced paraplanning firm is not always matched by the reality. Fiona Bond talked to two experienced paraplanners about the challenges they faced and how they overcame them
TDQ: Tax planning
Confused by EISs, VCTs and SEISs? Catriona Standingford, managing director of Brand Financial Training, takes a look at these tax efficient investing products
Protection
Chris Dunne, proposition manager Scottish Widows highlights key points for paraplanners required under the EU’s Insurance Distribution Directive
Pensions: Tax case study
Stephen McPhillips, technical sales director, Dentons Pension Management uses a case study to spotlight how using a SSAS in pension planning can help to mitigate inheritance tax
Tax: Estate planning
Overcoming clients’ reluctance to relinquish control of their assets can be the first step on the road to effective estate planning
Parameters
This issue’s survey looks at longevity assumptions
The Investment Committee
Unloved Japan
Japan could be worthy of long-term investments, particularly with the low valuations of Japanese companies and the yen also at a low price, says Darius McDermott, managing director, FundCalibre
Ethical investing: bonds
Martin Foden, head of Credit Research at Royal London Asset Management, explains how ESG and credit analysis must be integrated to achieve superior investment returns
Funding under threat
The sources of funding for new and smaller companies are being challenged and we should be worried about the longer term ramifications
Markets
Europe is a misunderstood market but you need to look for quality, says Kurt Cruickshank, investment director European equities, Aberdeen Standard Investments
Sector considerations
This issue we look at capital protection and absolute return funds vs bonds
Professional body
Jackie Lockie head of Financial Planning at the CISI considers the impact of advancing technology on vulnerable clients
Plus our regular Test your knowledge Q&A, CPD and Data Download pages.
OCTOBER 2019
THIS ISSUE
OCTOBER 2019
IN THIS ISSUE
Paraplanner Profile
Rob Kingsbury talks to Ashley Wiltshire, owner of Wiltshire Paraplanning, about how she set up and runs her outsourced paraplanning firm and her imminent move to the United States
Viewpoint
Dan Atkinson considers retirement planning and asks: Do we really know what our clients want?
Comment
Jacqueline Lockie, head of Financial Planning, CISI, considers how our identity changes when we retire and what this means for paraplanners putting together a financial plan
Tax
While the answer to the question ‘would you rather all your money was taxed or just the growth?’ is a simple one, often clients take the opposite action, says Les Cameron, head of Technical, Prudentia
Pensions head-to-head
Given increased regulation, governance and the potential repercussions of court cases to deal with, we asked two industry practitioners: Can smaller SIPP providers survive?
Buy-to-let tax traps
The government is making life increasingly complicated for private landlords. Paraplanners now need to be wary of a number of potential tax traps when working with clients with second properties
Post-death planning
Catriona Brand considers the use of deeds of variation vs disclaimers in post-death planning
Powwow 2019
We highlight some of the discussion points from this year’s Paraplanners’ Powwow
NEW SECTION: The Investment Committee
Paraplanner viewpoint
Rob Kingsbury speaks with Martin Green, paraplanning manager at Chadney Bulgin, about being a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and what it entails.
Absolute Returns
Darius McDermott, managing director, FundCalibre looks at the Absolute Returns sector and asks whether these funds can finally prove their worth.
Sustainable investing
Mike Fox, head of Sustainable Investments at Royal London Asset Management, describes the sustainable investing landscape and demystifies the terminology
Globalisation
Globalisation today is profoundly different to the past, argues Govinda Finn, Japan and developed Asia economist, Aberdeen Standard Investments
SEPTEMBER 2019
THIS ISSUE
Welcome to the first of our autumn magazines in which we introduce a new dedicated section.
Paraplanner profile
This issue we talk to Samantha Gratton, senior paraplanner at Old Mill, about how recent structural changes at the firm have improved her role and the benefits when paraplanners are empowered to be self-driven
Viewpoint
With the ability to freelance and better control your work/life balance, there has probably never been a better time to be a paraplanner, says Jonathan Dawson, 1to1 Paraplanning. But going it alone can be daunting
Training Development and Qualifications (TDQ)
This issue’s article covers the CII Business Financial Planning exam and focusses on using a SIPP to buy commercial property
Setting the Standard
Reece Edwards, the first person to pass The Paraplanner StandardTM talks about the experience and why firms need to throw their support behind paraplanners
Pensions
In two pensions articles we cover use of SSAS as a finance source and as a structure to facilitate the passing of wealth down through the generations
Tax
Understanding different income streams and their tax treatment opens up tax planning opportunities that paraplanners can use for clients.
NEW SECTION
We also introduce a new dedicated section The Investment Committee. In this we provide insight for paraplanners engaged in research into investments and those contributing to Investment Committee decisions.
Alongside regulars features, such as from Darius McDermott MD of research and ratings agency FundCalibre, we kick off the series with two fund manager interviews, first with Gary Potter and Rob Burdett of the BMO multi-manager team, who have been managing funds together for 23 years, and also with David Harrison, manager of the Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund, who talks about the correlation between high-quality, profitable businesses and ethical and environmental sustainability.
Professional body comment
Also this issue, Jacqueline Lockie, head of Financial Planning, CISI, tells how she was inspired by how the Mercedes F1 team worked together at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix and the lessons to be taken from their performance.
July/Aug 2019
THIS ISSUE
Welcome to the AWARDS 2019 issue of Professional Paraplanner
15-pages of Awards coverage including interviews with the winners of the six Paraplanner Awards
For our Paraplanner Profile, Rob Kingsbury talked to New Paraplanner of the Year 2019 award winner Alana Quinn, who tells how since joining Murphy Wealth, alongside paraplanning, she has been encouraged to use her initiative and take responsibility for key projects within the firm.
Also in this issue:
Time management
Good paraplanners can find they become swamped with additional tasks. If this is you, then it’s time get things back in order
Viewpoint
Sometimes we need to step back from the job we do and take in the bigger picture, says Dan Atkinson, head of Technical, EQ Investors
TDQ: Taxation of Trusts
A look at taxation of Bare Trusts, Interest in Possession (IIP) Trusts and Discretionary Trusts.
Estate planning
Business relief can be a powerful estate planning tool
Investment
Global dividends have almost doubled in a decade, which is good news for investors seeking income
Investment
Gin mixers and chocolate, two good reasons to invest in small caps
Professional body
The Woodford fund news highlighted the need to look deeper under the bonnet when researching, says Jacqueline Lockie, head of Financial Planning, CISI
June 2019
THIS ISSUE
In the June 2019 issue of Professional Paraplanner:
Paraplanner Profile
Scott Daniels, director of the PLUS Group, has grown his outsourced paraplanning business from one-man-band to 47 people. We talk to him about the challenges involved and where he is taking the company from here
Lifetime allowance planning
If your client has LTA issues, is it better to take money out of a pension pre or post age 75? Charlene Young, senior technical consultant at AJ Bell, presents a case study to illustrate the key points
SIPP property purchase
How may a SIPP avoid unnecessary potential tax charges when purchasing a property with commercial and residential elements? By splitting the title. Denton’s Stephen McPhillips explains
IHT and Gifting
Six things paraplanners need to know about gifting
Training, Development and Qualifications
A look at the taxation of UK life assurance policies with a case study example – of particular relevance to R03 and AF1 exams
Fund manager Q&A
The Gravis Infrastructure Fund combines infrastructure and income. We asked the manager William Argent about the fund’s investment strategy and what it can offer investors.
Opinion
Consumers deserve and need faster pension transfer times. So, what’s holding back the industry and what can be done about it?
Investing
Can the big brands survive in a world where disruption is ever easier to achieve?
Your future is in your hands
‘When a paraplanner has achieved Chartered or Certified status, what comes next?’, asks Jacqueline Lockie, head of Financial Planning, CISI
And much more…
May 2019
THIS ISSUE
In your May issue of Professional Paraplanner:
Kat Mock talks to Rob Kingsbury about starting up her new outsourced business, Unity Paraplanning, and the challenges and practicalities involved
Dan Atkinson, head of Technical at EQ Investors, looks at recent academic research from the Centre for Ageing Better and how it can be applied to paraplanning
John Humphreys, Inheritance Tax specialist at WAY Investment Services, demonstrates how two families with the same value of estate might choose different strategies to plan for IHT
Catriona Standingford, managing director of Brand Financial Training, looks at the similarities and differences between the CII’s AF5 and R06 written financial planning papers and what to expect from each
Parmenion’s Patrick Ingram delves into longevity and explains why paraplanners need to look beyond ONS figures when undertaking clients’ retirement planning
Sarah Atkinson, training manager, IRESS, reveals how technology can make a difference to the client experience by enabling that personal touch
Darius McDermott, managing director, FundCalibre examines Emerging Market debt, an asset with obvious risks but with much to offer
And Jacqueline Lockie, head of Financial Planning, CISI, considers how client views on managing money are not always aligned with reality
April 2019
THIS ISSUE
Your April edition of Professional Paraplanner is now live.
This issue we cover the Paraplanning Report 2019, published by Research in Finance. Our 4-page special looks at areas such as paraplanners’ salaries, qualifications and aspirations and the growing influence of paraplanners in the industry.
For our Paraplanner Profile we speak to Tom Lloyd-Read, head of Advice at Thomas Miller Investment, about using a centralised system of paraplanning and why he thinks more firms will implement this way of working. He also offers advice for paraplanners considering the move into management.
Along the same theme, for Viewpoint we asked two team leaders for their top three tips for managing a team.
If you are taking the CII’s AF1 and R03 exams then one area you might not have thought to cover is the personal tax issues for private landlords. Brand Financial Training covers this for us in their regular article.
For firms who undertake asset allocation and then look to keep their clients invested in the best performing funds in the relevant sectors, we spoke to Clever Adviser, a maths-based fund monitoring and selection system, which focusses on funds’ performance and when they are “coming off the boil”.
While Fund Calibre’s Darius McDermott delves into how the company researches which fund management teams deliver consistent value for investors.
Michelle Hoskin argues that while paraplanner is one of the single most important roles in the financial planning profession, it needs clear boundaries.
And the CISI’s Jacqueline Lockie wants you to help her start a revolution.
Happy reading!