Killik sets up training programme for in-house career development

London-based Killik & Co is introducing a structured training programme to provide paraplanner recruits with in-house career development.

It intends to recruit paraplanners and train them to become financial planners. They would then work alongside an investment manager in one of the firm’s eight London branches.

The Mayfair-based team currently consists of four advisers and four paraplanners, three of whom are chartered.

Sarah Lord, (pictured) managing director of Killik Chartered Financial Planners, said recruitment was proving frustrating, but the firm planned to complete the project within two years.

‘From January we are putting in place a more structured process for paraplanners [who are] joining us: an attractive proposition for those wanting to further their career,’ she said.

‘We genuinely believe in providing career development, working with them early, and them progressing to financial planning and not just fulfilling their roles as paraplanners.’

The paraplanners will be trained in all parts of the business to build technical knowledge and attend client meetings, she said.

Lord has promoted paraplanner Ketan Pankhania to the position of wealth planner this month.