The Institute of Financial Planning has announced that Adam Wareing CFP^CM is the winner of this year’s Paraplanner of The Year award - sponsored by Parmenion and supported by Wizard Learning.

Adam is a Paraplanner at Clarion Wealth Planning. The announcement was made at the IFP Conference tonight where Patrick Ingram, Head of Corporate Relationships at Parmenion, presented the award to him.

This award was originally created by TheParaplanners.com back in 2008 and became an IFP award in 2013. It has established itself as the ultimate award for UK Paraplanners, whatever their experience and knowledge. Based on testing a Paraplanner’s core knowledge and skills, it provides a platform for Paraplanners to demonstrate their all round excellence.

Entrants were initially required to complete a technical questionnaire provided by Wizard Learning, to test their depth of knowledge. They then had to provide a 1000 word essay on their choice of two topics to demonstrate the quality of their analysis via written work. These were also supported by a personal reference from either an employer or client. The winner was decided by the judging panel, made up as follows:

• Gemma Siddle CFP^CM, Eldon Financial Planning
• Patrick Ingram, Head of Corporate Relationships, Parmenion
• Richard Allum CFP^CM from The Paraplannners
• Sam Rees-Adams, Professional Standards Director, Institute of Financial Planning

Sam Rees-Adams, Professional Standards Director of IFP said: “Congratulations to Adam as well as our three other finalists this year; Mohamad Alrayees, Marc Shackman and Warren Bentham. All of the candidates demonstrated their considerable strengths, which was exciting to see but certainly made the judges’ job harder. Adam showed a real commitment to financial planning and the contribution a Paraplanner can make to that process – ie helping clients achieve their goals. He had a clear vision of what skills and attributes a top notch Paraplanner would have.

"He was equally strong on the technical aspects of Paraplanning as well as the softer skills. He demonstrated a strong approach to his own CPD and the encouragement he gives to colleagues to do the same and impressed the judges in his planning of CPD by aligning individual development objectives with business goals. Adam stressed that he aims to be a mentor not a manager. He has mentored other Paraplanners in his firm and would see himself doing this more widely as part of winning the award. Overall, he left the judges in no doubt as to his genuine commitment to, and passion for, the Paraplanning profession. A worthy winner.”

Patrick Ingram, Head of Corporate Relationships, Parmenion comments: “Once again myself and all the judges found the selection process for the IFP Paraplanner of the Year Award to be immensely rewarding. There is clear evidence that the standard of professionalism and technical knowledge exhibited by Paraplanners is increasing and that the status they enjoy within their businesses is even more secure in 2015. Paraplanning is a very rewarding profession for diligent, analytical individuals, interested in helping others achieve their life goals and there is strong demand for their skills.

“Overall, Adam’s mature and deliberate approach to Financial Planning stood out. He has a breadth and depth of expertise that is truly impressive and demonstrated a complete commitment to achieving great client outcomes. Adam was particularly strong in being able to show that his technical understanding and planning ideas have been tested in practice against realistic, objective measures. Parmenion are delighted to be supporters of the IFP Paraplanner of the Year Award for a third year.”
The winner receives:

• A full pass to attend the Institute of Financial Planning Annual Conference, October 2015
• A cash prize of £1,000.
• The Paraplanner of the Year Trophy.
• Access to Wizard Learning’s structured CPD system for 12 months plus online exam support for 3 years
• Use of the Paraplanner of the Year Logo for marketing materials

The award is sponsored by lead sponsor Parmenion, whose support for this award is a reflection of their commitment to the recognition of the Paraplanner profession. The competition also continues to enjoy the very valuable support of Wizard Learning.