Financial Planning Today editor Kevin O’Donnell recently caught up with Philippa Hann, recently announced as the next CEO of Bristol-based, employee-owned Financial Planning firm Paradigm Norton. She will take up the role in April. A full version of this interview will appear in the next issue of Financial Planning Today magazine in November. 

FP Today: How long have you known Paradigm Norton founder and CEO Barry Horner and was it a surprise when he asked you to become CEO? 

Philippa Hann: Barry and I met 15 years ago at an Institute of Financial Planning conference. As a lawyer looking to learn from the very best Financial Planners, Barry was someone I admired and looked to as a leader in the sector. It was a surprise when we first began discussing the potential for me to take over as CEO of Paradigm Norton but we talked over a period of many months, and I got to know the company in my position as a non-exec and it became an opportunity I couldn’t say no to. Happily, Barry is staying on as chairman so he is not going anywhere soon. 

FP Today: Paradigm Norton is a well known Financial Planning firm but for those who may not know too much can you still us a little more?  

Philippa Hann: It is proudly employee-owned and a Certified B Corp. It has built a reputation for being an innovator and a leader of the profession, with over 20 years of growth and experience guiding families toward financial wellbeing. 

FP Today: What sort of clients does Paradigm Norton serve and what are the client numbers and AUM/A? How many staff and offices do you have? 

Philippa Hann: We are an independent Financial Planning company, serving more than 1,000 families with £1.6 billion of assets under our management and employing over 90 people across four offices: Bristol, London, Exeter and Torquay.   

FP Today: It’s obviously early days but what do you hope to achieve with the firm in the medium and long term? 

Philippa Hann: My vision is to build on the firm’s reputation as the go-to choice for clients who value expert, personalised financial advice. I want to build a business that’s not only successful but also sustainable, both financially and in terms of our contribution to the wider community. I’ve spent years solving complex problems for financial services firms. I’m eager to use that knowledge to lead this firm through its next chapter of growth. 

FP Today: You were a partner at leading law firm Clarke Wilmott which was involved in a lot of high profile legal cases involving financial services. Can you tell us a bit about your work there and what you were proudest of? 

Philippa Hann: I specialised in group actions sometimes acting for groups of hundreds of clients who had fallen victim to Ponzi schemes or systemic mis-selling. Many of my clients came to me at a vulnerable time. They were understandably distrustful, scared and overwhelmed by the legal process. 

FP Today: What attracted you to the role at Paradigm Norton, it’s an unusual step for a lawyer so do you enjoy breaking the mould? 

Philippa Hann: I like to think of the move I am making as a good example of life-changing Financial Planning. I would not have made this transition without my Financial Planner supporting and guiding me. What I’m most looking forward to in this role is the opportunity to focus on our people and our clients. For me, the success of the firm is about empowering our team to grow, innovate, and thrive. It’s about leading a firm that prioritises both its people and its clients, building long-term relationships and delivering real value. I’m thrilled to be a part of that journey. 

FP Today: What do you do in your spare time? I understand you are writing a new book, can you tell us about that? 

Philippa Hann:  I’m a triathlete, so training for that is a big part of my life. When I’m not doing that, I’m either enjoying time with my family or catching up with friends over a good meal. I’m also an avid reader and always have a few books on the go. I'm also writing a book on why financial advice can sometimes go wrong. It delves into the psychology of the individuals involved.  I am co-authoring it with clinical neuro-psychologist Dr Moira Somers who wrote “Advice that Sticks”. Writing has been a great way to combine my love for financial services and my curiosity about human behaviour. 

• This is an edited version. A full version will appear in the next issue of Financial Planning Today magazine to be published in mid-September. You can subscribe to the magazine by registering for Financial Planning Today website and follow the upgrade options. If you are already logged in go to ‘My Account.’

Philippa Hann is an experienced lawyer with over 20 years of experience specialising in financial services litigation. She has led high-profile cases involving Ponzi schemes and systemic misselling. Beyond her legal practice, she holds non-executive roles and is passionate about leadership development, often coaching professionals to maximize their potential. She has three children and lives in Bristol where she can regularly be found running or cycling around its streets training for triathlons.