Bristol-based Financial Planning firm Paradigm Norton has set up a ‘Leadership Academy’ to train the next generation of company leaders.

The academy has been established in partnership with the University of the West of England.

The Academy will train staff in management and leadership skills. A maximum of eight employees per academic year will take part.

Those who complete the course will receive an accredited Level 7 certificate of leadership and management from UWE, as well as credits towards completing a further two years to achieve an MBA at the university.

Paradigm Norton was established in 2001 and employs a team of 70. It has grown in recent years including through a merger with The Red House in London in 2018.

The company became and Employee Ownership Trust earlier this year.

Barry Horner, chief executive of the employee-owned firm, said: “We have launched the Leadership Academy with UWE as a result of a desire to equip the future leaders of the business to lead with excellence.

“As an employee-owned business, we wish to ensure that our ‘Partners’ have the required leadership skills that they need to help us grow and build the business over the coming decade.

“We have big ambitions and we will need leaders who can drive through change and help us stay current and relevant”.

Lynda Williams, associate director at UWE’s Bristol Business School and Bristol Law School, said; “Working in tandem with Paradigm Norton to bring this course to life has been fantastic, to be able to offer their team a sophisticated learning environment and a chance to build on their leadership skills is very exciting.”