Conference agendas show paraplanners’ rise

The Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) has led the way by expanding the agenda of its annual conference to cater for paraplanners, and it is great to see the Personal Finance Society (PFS) doing the same. This year’s PFS conference, to be held in Birmingham this week, is the first to include sessions designed with paraplanners in mind.

Judging by the conversation I had at the PFS in preparation for my own talk at the 2012 event, this is perhaps not surprising. According to the PFS, as many paraplanners as advisers have signed up to attend sessions this year. What is more, the PFS has more than 2,000 members who describe themselves as paraplanners. It seems both the PFS and the IFP are experiencing growing numbers of paraplanner attendants at significant industry events.

Inspiring adviser confidence

There are two positive points I take away from this. Firstly, IFAs are clearly encouraging paraplanners to participate in events staged by the professional bodies. Secondly, participation will only add impetus to the pursuit of common and consistent professional standards among paraplanners, which can inspire adviser confidence in the discipline.

Richard Allum is managing director of ParaPlanPlus