“Within our profession, we have some fantastic streams all under the banner of financial planning and we need to make sure that as members of professional bodies we're getting the support that we need from that professional body. This is whether you are a paraplanner, or whether you are in compliance or administration, or learning and development.”
Earlier this month, former PFS chief executive Keith Richards launched a new professional body for financial services, the Consumer Duty Alliance.
When asked about this, Stuart said anything that raises professionalism in the sector is a good thing.
“There is so much support out there for paraplanners now. We do have professional bodies, but equally we have things like the Paraplanners' Assembly which is not a professional body and has done incredible work in the space."
Set up in 2013, the Paraplanners’ Assembly is a not-for-profit organisation created by paraplanners that offers informal gatherings for those in the field.
“I cannot stress how amazing they are. They are run by volunteers and it's just the most amazing, welcoming community of paraplanners,” Stuart said.
“I know for a fact that I would not be sitting here talking to you today if not for the support of the Paraplanners’ Assembly.”
In the past few weeks Stuart has set up a second business, Sparrow Solutions, which provides operational and process support to financial planning and advice firms as well as training, learning and development events for paraplanners.
Looking to the future, Stuart is confident that paraplanning will continue to evolve and thrive, whether in-house or outsourced.
“I’m a paraplanner. I will always be a paraplanner. I just want to give the best service to my clients so that they can give great service to their clients.”
jane.matthews@ft.com
