The Path to Becoming a Paraplanner

Returning to Financial Services

After spending time away from the financial services industry to raise her children and work in another sector, Jess knew exactly where she wanted her career to return.

“Paraplanning felt like a natural path for me,” she says. “It felt less like a career change and more like coming back to where I knew I wanted to be.”

Her return to the profession was driven by a clear ambition to build a long-term career within financial planning and continue developing her technical knowledge and experience.

Following in Her Father’s Footsteps

Jess’s interest in financial planning began early, having grown up with a father who worked as a financial adviser.

“Seeing the value financial planning brings to people’s lives gave me a genuine appreciation for the profession,” she explains. “I was fortunate to gain some hands-on experience too, which gave me a real understanding of the role.”

That early exposure gave Jess an insight into both the technical and personal side of financial planning, helping shape her decision to pursue paraplanning as a career.

Why Britannic Place Financial Management?

For Jess, Britannic Place stood out because of its reputation as a chartered independent practice and its strong commitment to client care.

“Being a chartered, independent practice was important to me and spoke to the quality and integrity I was looking for in an employer,” she says.

What impressed her most was the culture of the business and the emphasis placed on delivering a high level of service to clients.

“It was clear that client care is genuinely at the heart of everything the firm does, and that really mattered to me.”

Learning and Development

Since joining the firm, Jess has embraced the variety and continuous learning that comes with paraplanning.

“My role is genuinely so varied, and there is always something new to learn,” she says. “I still learn every day, and I really enjoy that side of the role.”

Alongside her day-to-day responsibilities, Jess is also studying through an apprenticeship programme, balancing professional exams with practical experience.

“The apprenticeship has given me structure and helped deepen my understanding of the role,” she explains. “Since joining, I’ve passed three professional exams and I’m continuing to build my knowledge.”

She also enjoys being able to support newer members of the team by sharing the experience and knowledge she has developed so far.

The Value of Client Experience

Jess says that being involved in client meetings has been an important part of her development as a paraplanner.

“Client meetings provide a much clearer picture of what matters most to each individual client,” she explains. “Knowing the people behind the cases makes me better at what I do.”

Alongside client work, Jess has also attended industry events including the Paraplanner Awards and the Women in Finance Collective, helping her continue learning and building connections across the profession.

Looking Ahead

As she continues to grow within the profession, Jess hopes to deepen her knowledge further and eventually progress into a leadership role.

“I enjoy supporting and mentoring others,” she says. “Helping shape the next generation of paraplanners within the firm is something I find really motivating.”

With a strong commitment to learning and development, Jess is continuing to build a rewarding career within paraplanning at Britannic Place.