The first in a new series of professional development events for Paraplanners has been held.

A Paraplanners Howwow took place yesterday afternoon, with four Paraplanners leading an hour long session via an online video conferencing format.

The monthly web training sessions have sprung up from the Paraplanners Powwow movement and are designed to help foster the same kind of community spirit among the profession.

About 30 either took part in the live session or watched the replay so far. It works in a live chat room format, with listeners able to chip in with comments and questions.

There was a 15 minute session on remote working as a Paraplanner – from Kate Banham who now lives and works in Canada.

Organiser Richard Allum CFPTM Chartered MCSI said: “It went really well. This was a bit different than the rest will be but we just wanted to introduce the concept.

“It’s about reinforcing the spirit of the Powwow, working together.

“We asked Paraplanners what’s on their plate right now? What issues currently are they working on?

“Final salary transfers came up a lot, not surprisingly.

“Dan Atkinson spoke about the report writing internal workshops at his company and I talked about the fact we currently are working on rebuilding our report writing system – that’s a big thing on my desk at the moment.”

Future subjects for the Howwows were discussed. These included later life planning, final salary transfers, cashflow planning assumptions, managing a team of Paraplanners and new Scottish tax rules’ impact on Financial Planning.

Mr Allum also reported that many volunteers had come forward to help at regional and national Powwows, including Dundee, London, North East England and Wales.

There will be four face-to-face Howwows later this year as well as the monthly online sessions.