Experience

HAWORTHS FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED

• United Kingdom
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Paraplanner

  • Jul 2020 - Present

  A desire to progress as a paraplanner and further my knowledge of financial advice led me to a new opportunity with an ambitious company in Haworths.At Haworths I have developed significantly, with the rigours of the Quilter pre-sale compliance checks a great test of knowledge and skills, pushing me to build a very rounded skillset.My role developed from being a Defined Benefits Specialist to incorporate financial planning for very High Net Worth Clients, including a concentrated knowledge of Inheritance Tax planning and the service levels expected from such clients.I have carried out solo client visits to provide services such as one-to-one assistance for registering Trusts, and have built up fantastic working relationships with clients, directors and within the Quilter network.I provide vital support to the 5 advisers at Haworths, ranging from simple ISAs up to the IHT Planning and Defined Benefit advice the firm also provides.



Backhouse Independent Financial Services

• United Kingdom
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Paraplanner

  • Aug 2016 - Jul 2020

  A relocation back to Lancashire meant a new challenge; leaving the comfort of a 10 year pensions career to start again in a new role, this time as a paraplanner in a respected local IFA firm.Supporting 2 IFAs - one a director and the other a Chartered Financial Planner, I enjoy presenting them with interesting investments not previously on their radar, with an eye on introducing yet more strong funds into our clients' portfolios where appropriate. We've produced excellent returns for our clients in both good and challenging market conditions, which is down to our methodical research on the funds we choose for our clients.My background in the pensions industry prepared me well for the in-depth nature of writing a good suitability letter, ranging from simple ISA top-ups to setting out the justifications to go ahead with a DB-DC transfer in a 7,000 word report.Protection presents a growing stream for us, and as such I have developed experience in the whole range of available products, such as keyman policies, mortgage protection, shareholder protection and much moreI am currently studying towards the CII's Certificate in Paraplanning, with an eye on taking this on to the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, and perhaps becoming an IFA myself at some point in the future. I've got Financial Services, Regulation & Ethics (R01), Investment Principles & Risk (R02) and Personal Taxation (R03) under my belt, just a few more to go!



H & C CONSULTING ACTUARIES LLP

• United Kingdom
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Pensions Administrator/Actuarial Assistant

  • Jan 2014 - Aug 2016

  In late 2013 I was approached by a former Mercer colleague to join a newly created scheme administration department at a small actuarial consultancy in York. In my two and a half years there, the number of schemes administered quadrupled as the company's capacity and reputation grew. In late 2013 I was approached by a former Mercer colleague to join a newly created scheme administration department at a small actuarial consultancy in York. In my two and a half years there, the number of schemes administered quadrupled as the company's capacity and reputation grew.



Capita Employee Benefits

• United Kingdom
• Real Estate

• Pensions Technician

  • Aug 2009 - Jan 2014

  An opportunity arose to join Capita's Discontinued Schemes department to help progress, amongst others, the 12,000+ member Woolworths Group Pension Scheme to the PPF, and a number of schemes to buy-out or the FAS. Within my four and a half years at Capita, I had become an essential part of a 100-strong office, helping make key decisions in management meetings, successfully visiting clients to obtain further business, training colleagues locally and nationally, and liaising at a senior level with Professional Trustees, members, actuaries and third parties.



Mercer

• Portugal
• IT Services and IT Consulting

• Pensions Administrator

  • Aug 2006 - Aug 2009

  My 10 year career in the pensions industry started within the ongoing administration department at Mercer in Leeds, where I spent three years and learned the intricacies of the industry, while working towards the PMI's Diploma in Pensions Calculations. My 10 year career in the pensions industry started within the ongoing administration department at Mercer in Leeds, where I spent three years and learned the intricacies of the industry, while working towards the PMI's Diploma in Pensions Calculations.



Rowley Ashworth Solicitors

• Office Administrator

  • May 2005 - Aug 2006