If you want to find the answer, you need to know where to look

The definition of a paraplanner, according to investopedia.com:  ‘A relatively new position within the financial planning industry that involves the performance of the administrative duties of a financial planner’.

Paraplanners didn’t exist in the UK a decade ago.  The majority of advisers would undertake everything involved in the planning process with their clients themselves.  The role of the paraplanner came about as financial advisers realised if someone else did the vital preparatory work, then they would have more time to meet with more clients.

Senior Paraplanner, Lee Grimshaw, joined deVere United Kingdom in August 2012.  Having recently been shortlisted for the ‘Paraplanner of the Year’ award in the 2014 Professional Adviser Awards, Lee has now also become a Chartered Paraplanner.  This is a big achievement which has taken a lot of studying, time and unwavering dedication.

Becoming ‘Chartered’ is the gold medal of paraplanning…

He started in the role of adviser support in 2005, working as a Trainee Account Manager in M2 Financial Ltd, before completing his Business and Financial Services degree at Nottingham Trent University.

With a wealth of experience working with high net worth clients, and alongside some of the most successful IFA’s so early on in his working life, Lee knew that further study was key to advancing his career, and he made the decision to work towards becoming Chartered.

He didn’t stop there, Lee also focused on training towards becoming registered to give financial advice.  All this was within his sights before turning 30.  Lee had six years to fulfil his goals.

Becoming a Chartered Paraplanner certainly wasn’t a walk in the park for Lee.  Requirements include passing four written three-hour Advanced Diploma papers, and gaining a total of 290 credits meant numerous qualifications were required to achieve Chartered status.

Lee has been registered to give financial advice for two-three years now, and finding the balance between work and study has been no mean feat!

Lee Grimshaw is living proof that hard work really does pay off, and nothing worth having is ever straightforward.

I truly believe if you dream it, you can do it.

Congratulations Lee!