The 2017 CISI / IFP Paraplanning Conference has been hailed "a huge success" by conference co-chair Dan Atkinson.

Mr Atkinson, who joined in the superhero theme of the conference by wearing a Superman business suit, said: "Conference was a huge success this year with great, in-depth speakers and fantastic participation from attendees. We were delighted with it.

"We had more than 130 Paraplanners attend over the two days with a very good mix of men and women, younger and older age groups and people at all levels of experience and qualification. Many were coming for the first time too which was great to see.

"There were many highlights but Just's Jan Holt on the many ways clients can be vulnerable or become vulnerable was a stand out and Abraham Okusanya was very passionate about safe withrawal rates. All the speakers were top notch and many delegates said the content was spot on and the depth of detail was great.

He added: "I'd like to extend a big thanks to Just for sponsoring the event and the CISI for very smooth organisation. Most of all thank you to all the delegates and excellent speakers for making it a fun and valuable sharing of two days!"

The event took place at the Jurys Inn Hotel and Conference centre in Hinckley Island, Leics, today with sessions and a conference dinner yesterday followed by a full day of conference sessions today. The event was billed as the League of Extraordinary Paraplanners, inspired by the movie of a similar name.

Check out this website for other coverage and also follow our Twitter coverage and the conference hashtag #paraconf.

CISI head of Financial Planning Campbell Edgar CFP^TM said today the conference had gone "extremely well" with over 70 attending the first day and an expected 130+ attending today, the main day for the event.

He said: "It's been very busy and the turnout has been excellent. Over 80 per cent of delegates are female and most are under 35 so it shows the next generation coming through which is great to see."

Cashflow modelling, platform due diligence and a former fighter pilot were on the billing as speakers.

Looking forward to @CISI #paraconf this week. A great opportunity to catch up with fellow Paraplanners. pic.twitter.com/C7xYZQbjxK

— Gemma Siddle (@GemmaSiddle) June 12, 2017

The CISI Paraplanner Interest Group put together the agenda.

Conference co-chair Farida Hassanali CFP^TM Chartered MCSI told Financial Planning Today: “The conference ended with someone truly extraordinary. Mandy Hickson was one of the first female pilots on the frontline in the Royal Air Force and reminds us that with hard work and self-belief anyone can achieve their ambitions.”