The definition of a Paraplanner and whether there should be a new standard for Paraplanning has been a hotly debated subject for some while.

But for one Chartered Financial Planning firm, they have no Paraplanners and instead call them ‘Financial Planning assistants’.

Unividual, whose head office is based in Hartham Park, near to Bath, explained more in an interview with Financial Planning Today magazine for the latest edition, which can be viewed in full HERE.

Cherie-Anne Baxter, director and shareholder of Unividual told us: “We made a decision to call our Paraplanners Financial Planning assistants. On launching our academy, Unicademy, Lewis (Baxter, Chartered planner at the firm and son of founder John) and I agreed the Paraplanning role should be technical and holistic. Not only could these individuals submerge themselves in to some very technically detailed Financial Planning but also have more client interaction.”

She said: “What I have come to realise is that the word Paraplanner is a bit of an odd one. Every business seems to have a different interpretation of what a Paraplanner does and the extent to which businesses submerge the Paraplanner in to their customer journey seems to differ greatly. I must have been in contact with hundreds of Paraplanners in the last few years and I have come to realise that often they are undervalued and under-utilised.

“The common feedback I get is that they are keen to become the best at what they do, which requires a business to provide them enough depth of experience and support to improve and update their knowledge but that those opportunities aren’t out there.”

Read the article in full HERE.

The latest issue of Financial Planning Today, our new 40-page magazine for Financial Planners and Paraplanners, is now live online to all readers.  

The new publication features exclusive content, including contributions from leading figures in the worlds of Financial Planning, Paraplanning and Wealth Management, plus features and insights produced by experienced financial journalists.

You can read it HERE or click on the cover below.

Financial Planning Today's latest issue highlights include:

• An exclusive Special Report on the state and health of the Financial Planning profession using data from our readers, with analysis from leading Financial Planners

• Financial Planner Craig Chapman reveals his client prospecting and loyalty tips

• Columns from high profile planner Julie Lord, PFS chief executive Keith Richards, CISI head of Financial Planning Campbell Edgar, plus expert commentary from John Chatfeild-Roberts of Jupiter and Richard Stone, chief executive of The Share Centre

• New Investment and DFM section with 180+ DFM providers listed plus DFM updates

• Plus, Planner Casebook, Inside My Business with Unividual, Financial Planning and Paraplanning news and much more

For editorial enquiries please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For advertising enquiries, including recruitment advertising, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01895 678629.

Financial Planning Today Publisher and Editor Kevin O’Donnell said: “We're delighted to make available issue 7 and we hope the content will be invaluable to professionals. There is a wealth of insight, expert knowledge sharing, news and comment plus many busness tips and ideas to help Financial Planners do an even better job and build on their professionalism.

"We have designed Financial Planning Today magazine to be an essential publication for all professional Financial Planners, Paraplanners and Wealth Managers."

For editorial enquiries please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For advertising enquiries, including recruitment advertising, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01895 678629.