The Paraplanners' Assembly Podcast

Whether you’re just starting out in paraplanning or looking to make your next move, having a clear career plan makes all the difference. But how do you actually build one that works?

That’s what this Assembly is all about: the practicalities of creating a plan for your career; an approach that you can use no matter what stage you’re at in your professional life.

Caroline Stuart, owner and founder of Sparrow Paraplanning, hosted the conversation which featured four brilliant guests: Ellie Welling paraplanning team leader at Succession Wealth, Joe Jacob, paraplanner at FLP, Peter Spence, advice and paraplanning team leader at Fintuity, and Sarah Purves, learning and development expert at Aegon.

Together, they explored a practical framework for career planning that goes beyond wishful thinking to create actionable next steps.

During this Assembly we:

• Explored your career aspirations and help you define what type of role you actually want
• Identified the constraints and opportunities that will shape your path (including your non-negotiables)
• Considered objectives to move you forward
• Provided a template to help you build out your personal career action plan
• Learned from our guests’ experience of starting out and developing as paraplanners

You’ll leave with a practical framework that you can use immediately to plan your next career step – plus real-world insights from paraplanners who’ve successfully navigated their own career transitions at different stages.

Most importantly, you’ll have a clear action plan rather than just good intentions. So if you’ve been thinking about where you go next in your paraplanning career, this session is the perfect place to turn those ideas into practical actions.

This Assembly would not be possible without the generous support of Aegon. Thank you to the team at Aegon for supporting and for backing the development of paraplanners and paraplanning in the UK through their support of the Paraplanners’ Assembly.

Here are the links mentioned in this Assembly. Once you’ve watched or listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate (first link below).

Request your CPD certificate

Download: Sarah's slides

Download: Career plan template

Watch the replay at Crowdcast

Episode 1 in this careers series

Episode 2 in this careers series

Episode 3 in this careers series

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The last time the UK government convened a Pensions Commission it resulted in the equalisation of the State Pension Age between men and women, the launch of auto-enrolment plus the creation of the National Employment Savings Trust – better known as NEST.

So will the recently re-constituted Pensions Commission prove to be as consequential as the last? 

To answer that question, we invited Barnett Waddingham’s self-invested pensions specialist, James Jones-Tinsley, to join host Richard Allum, to share his thoughts on the scope of the Commission and what it could mean for paraplanners and clients. 

In 20 minutes, James explains why it has been necessary to revive the Pensions Commission and what problem it has been asked to address.

As well as considering the big trends driving reform - such as demographic pressures - the conversation covers:

• small pots consolidation
• pension dashboards
• minimum contributions
• solutions to inequalities in retirement outcomes for lower earners, women, carers, and the self-employed

Plus James and Richard discuss how advice professionals can influence the Commission's work through upcoming consultations. 

All in all, this episode is a fantastic backgrounder for paraplanners who want to stay ahead of changes in pensions and pension policy.

Alongside the Pensions Commission, the Government has also launched a review of State Pension Age. James has also recorded a podcast on that too. You can find the podcast on Spotify, Apple and Acast, or by searching 'Paraplanners' Assembly' on your podcast app.

James has recently published posts and comment articles on the topic of the Pensions Commission and State Pension Age review. Here are the links:

Sipps Professional

James Jones-Tinsley: State Pension Age of 68 may move nearer

Barnett Waddingham blog

Will the Pensions Commission fix pension under-saving?

State Pension Age review: what advisers need to know

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Here's a question that might keep you awake at night: what do you tell clients who've spent years building pension pots specifically because they were IHT-free, only to discover that's all changed?

On 21 July 2025, HMRC published their response to the pension IHT consultation, along with draft legislation that will bring unused pension pots into the inheritance tax net from April 2027. The writing's been on the wall since Rachel Reeves' October 2024 Budget announcement, but now we have the detail and it's time to work out what this means for our clients.

As paraplanners, we're about to face some of the most fundamental shifts in retirement and estate planning strategy we've seen in years. The days of treating pensions as the IHT-free golden goose are numbered, and clients will be looking to us for answers.

This isn't just about understanding the new rules. It's about completely rethinking how we approach pension planning, estate planning, and the delicate balance between the two.

We were joined by M&G's Les Cameron to eexplore the different options to mitigate pension-driven IHT liabilities including:

• Are pensions dead? Separating the headlines from the reality for long-term retirement planning
• Is whole of life the answer? When life assurance might fill the IHT gap
• Moving client money – the practical considerations of reshuffling portfolios
• Annuities vs drawdown – how the IHT changes affect this fundamental choice
• Bypass trusts – exploring whether trust structures can still provide solutions

You'll leave this Assembly with a clear understanding of how the new IHT rules will work in practice and with strategies you can implement immediately to help clients navigate this changing landscape.

Fair warning: there's so much ground to cover that we may run slightly over our usual 60 minutes. If we do, we'll schedule a follow-up session to tackle any outstanding questions.

Here are useful links and downloads from this event. M&G Wealth have created a dedicated page for this event where you can take a quiz to receive a record for your CPD. Just follow the link to grab your certificate.

Receive your CPD: take the quiz at M&G's site

Download: Les's slides (opens PDF)

Video: watch the Replay at Crowdcast (with Chat)

Video: watch this Assembly on Vimeo (without Chat)

M&G tools and calculators

Watch or listen: Les Cameron on pensions, death and taxes

Watch or listen: A guide to investment bond essentials for paraplanners

Watch or listen: Tax wrappers: which, why and when

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Host Richard Allum is joined by Barnett Waddingham’s James Jones-Tinsley for a bonus episode exploring the government’s announcement of an independent review of the state pension age review and its potential consequences for retirement planning. 

As well as considering the scope of the review, which is being led by Dr Suzy Morrissey, deputy director of the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI), and what it means for the future, Richard and James discuss 

They discuss:

• increases to the state pension age - and why the rise to an SPA of 67 by 2028 is unlikely to be the end of the story
• how the ‘triple lock’ came about – and why its future is uncertain
• why approaches adopted by other governments could offer inspiration to provision of the UK State Pension in future

The review’s call for evidence closes on 24 October 2025. And with its focus on life expectancy and intergenerational equity, this episode is essential listening for paraplanners keen to stay ahead of the debate and its likely effects on retirement advice long into the future.

You'll find the Government's open call for evidence at the Review's webpage:

Third State Pension age review: independent report call for evidence

James's post about the State Pension age review is available at Barnett Waddingham's blog:

Government to reassess the State Pension age

Plus Sipps Professional published a comment article on the State Pension age at its site:

James Jones-Tinsley: State Pension age of 68 may move nearer

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You’ve established yourself as a paraplanner, but now you’re thinking: ‘What next?’

For many paraplanners, staying in paraplanning is exactly what they want to do. But what does career development look like within the profession? How have people built on their paraplanning skills and experience? And what about those considering a move into other areas like financial planning or specialising in research or operations?

This Assembly, recorded on 3 September explored some of the career routes within and from paraplanning.

Our host Caroline Stuart, owner and founder of Sparrow Paraplanning, is joined by Ellie Bailey, paraplanning team leader at Succession Wealth, Farida Hassanali, client manager at Paradigm Norton, Rebecca Tuck, operations director at FLP Financial Life Planning and Sian Greenhill, operations executive and centralised investment and product committee at Brooks Financial – all sharing their perspectives on career progression and specialisation.

• Some of the career development options for paraplanners
• The practical steps our panel took to progress in their careers
• Lessons learnt along the way
• Tips for planning your next career move

You’ll leave this Assembly with your head full of good ideas for potential career development and a bucket load of insights from people who’ve successfully made these transitions and you can claim one hour’s CPD.

This continues our series on paraplanning career development. Don’t miss our previous sessions exploring how to break into paraplanning and choosing the right place to work for your early paraplanning career.

Join us online at 1pm on Wednesday 1st October 2025 for ‘Developing as a paraplanner: ‘How do I build a career?’’

This Assembly would not be possible without the generous support of Aegon. Thank you to the team at Aegon for supporting and for backing the development of paraplanners and paraplanning in the UK through their support of the Paraplanners’ Assembly.

Here are the links mentioned in this Assembly. Once you’ve watched or listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate (first link below).

Request CPD certificate

Crowdcast: watch the Replay (with Chat)

Vimeo: watch video of this Assembly (without Chat)

The Big Tent

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Once upon a time, when taxes were relatively low, ISAs and unwrapped investments seemed like pretty obvious choices for clients' money.

But the big cut in the capital gains tax allowance and rises in tax on gains and dividends has changed things. Tax wrappers that once seemed like more hassle than they were worth (like investment bonds) could now be the ideal vehicle – especially for higher rate taxpayers.

That’s the question that guest Neil Macleod from M&G's technical team was invited to answer when he joined host, Leanne Pickering, for this Assembly.

Over the course of one lunch hour, Leanne and Neil explored when bonds are more suitable, when offshore makes sense, and why the 'best' mathematical answer might not actually be the right choice for your client. In this Assembly you’ll:

• learn from real case studies that compare basic rate versus higher rate taxpayers
• find out how to use withdrawals strategically to fund ISAs
• discover why different asset types work better in different wrappers
• tackle those tricky questions about investing within trusts
• understand why paying a bit more tax sometimes makes perfect sense

You’ll discover that the right choice for your clients isn't just about what the spreadsheet says but about the broader thinking

What’s more, once you’ve listened, follow the link below and you can request a record of 1 hour’s worth CPD too.

Useful links

Here are useful links and downloads from this event. M&G Wealth have created a dedicated page for this event where you can take a quiz to receive a record for your CPD. Just follow the link to grab your certificate.

To receive a record of participation for CPD, follow this link ➜ https://bit.ly/47zAs6g

You can also download Neil's slides (opens PDF).

You can watch the Replay of this Assembly at Crowdcast (includes Chat) ➜ https://www.crowdcast.io/c/fgnir28tysqh

Or you can watch on Vimeo (without the chat) over here ➜ https://vimeo.com/1111664975

Leanne mentioned two Assemblies featuring M&G's technical team in 2025. Here’s the Les Cameron’s Assembly on pensions, death and taxes ➜ https://bit.ly/3RhZvl9

And here’s Barrie Dawson’s Assembly on investment bond essentials ➜ https://bit.ly/4cuQuPa

You’ll find the tax wrapper comparison tool here ➜ https://bit.ly/3JrGUSJ

Here’s M&G’s Bond School ➜ https://bit.ly/4mor2z0

You’ll find loads of tools and calculators at M&G’s Tech Matters site here ➜ https://bit.ly/3RkVNY0

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Whether you’re considering a move into paraplanning, just landed your first role or are just curious about the options, one question you might keep wondering about: ‘What kind of organisation should I work for?’

Do you choose in-house team or outsourced provider? A small boutique practice or large corporate? Whichever you choose, there will be pros and cons, so how do you decide which is most suitable for you?

This Assembly – recorded on 6 August 2025 – lifts the lid on different paraplanning career paths and workplace structures. It’s the second in a series of Assemblies looking at careers in paraplanning and supported by Aegon.

Our host Caroline Stuart of Sparrow Paraplanning is joined by Julie South, owner of Bee Paraplanning, Sarah Lees, senior paraplanner at Forvis Mazars and Jo Parkes, paraplanning manager at Navigatus – paraplanners with experience of working in all kinds of organisations and are ready to share what it’s meant for their careers.

Over the course of the Assembly, they discuss:

• The different paraplanning structures out there – and what they’re really like to work in
• How to get your foot in the door – and what to look for in potential employers
• What support and development you can expect from types of organisations
• Practical tips for adapting and thriving wherever you land

You’ll leave with a clearer picture of your paraplanning options, practical insights from experienced practitioners, and the confidence to take your next career step.

This Assembly would not be possible without the generous support of Aegon. Thank you to the team at Aegon for supporting and for backing the development of paraplanners and paraplanning in the UK through their support of the Paraplanners’ Assembly.

This is the second Assembly in a series on breaking into and developing your career in paraplanning. Discover the first in the series Breaking into paraplanning: where do I even start?.

Here are the links mentioned in this Assembly. Once you’ve watched or listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate (first link below).

Request CPD certificate

Crowdcast: watch the Replay (with Chat)

Vimeo: watch video of this Assembly (without Chat)

The Big Tent

Professional Paraplanner

Plannex (previously known as NextGen Planners)

Glassdoor - for employees’ opinions about employers

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Last Monday (21 July 2025), the UK Government published draft legislation which means that, from April 2027, most unused pension savings and death benefits will count towards your estate when you die.

If you're wondering…

• which pension benefits are in scope (and which aren't)?
• who's responsible for paying the tax?
• how will the income tax offset actually work in practice?
• what's the timeline for implementation?

...you're not alone.

So in this bonus podcast episode, host Richard Allum met up with Barnett Waddingham’s James Jones-Tinsley to talk through the Government’s planned changes, what they mean for paraplanners and your clients, and suggest practical steps that you can already take to help clients get ready for the change.

The measures, which feature in the Finance Bill 2025-26, could still change as the proposals make their way through Parliament from September. But if you're wondering where things stand right now and what you should be thinking about for clients with decent-sized pension pots, this is a fantastic update that gives you the current picture.

Speaking of the Finance Bill…

If you’ve ever wondered how Budget measures become law, James met up with Leanne Pickering of Pivotal Paraplanning last year to walk through each step in the process. Here's the podcast episode:

From Parliament to paraplanner: How do Budget measures become law?

And speaking of pensions…

James has recorded a series of really helpful jargon busters on new and old pensions exclusively for the Assembly:

New pensions jargon: part one

Listen: A plain English guide to new pensions jargon: part one

Watch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part one

New pension jargon: part two

Listen: A plain English guide to new pensions jargon: part two

Watch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part two

Old pensions jargon: parts one, two and three

Listen: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part one

Watch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part one

Listen: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part two

Watch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part two

Listen: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part three

Watch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part three

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The choices clients make during the 5-10 years either side of retirement can decide how comfortable they’ll be once they stop working.

In fact, it’s such a distinctive stage in our financial lives that, among a growing number of advice professionals, it’s known as the ‘retirement risk zone’.

The data says – and you’ll know this yourself – that clients tend to become more risk-averse on their approach to retirement. Yet the likelihood of longer lifespans – and the costs associated with it – mean that ‘playing it safe’ could actually prove to be risky.

What’s more, persistent economic uncertainty and instability, not forgetting the FCA’s retirement income review exposing gaps in advice quality, means hatching a plan that helps clients swerve unnecessary risks around retirement has never been more important.

In this online Assembly Connor Stewart from Standard Life joins host, Richard Allum, to explore the features of the retirement risk zone.

Together they consider the risks that can trip clients up – things like the shift from accumulation to decumulation, sequencing returns, and adapting to changing financial priorities in an uncertain world – before considering practical ways to tackle them.

Listen and you’ll hear practical ideas to help guide clients through one of the trickiest phases of their financial lives. So how about it? Fancy zoning in on retirement risk? Then tune in now.

Here are the links mentioned in this Assembly. Once you’ve watched or listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate (first link below).

Request CPD certificate

Connor's slides: retirement risk zone (PDF)

Vimeo: watch video of this Assembly (without Chat)

Crowdcast: watch the Replay (with Chat)

Annuities essentials: part one

Annuities essentials: part two

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With recent changes to capital gains tax rates reaching up to 24% and the CGT annual exemption frozen at just £3,000, many clients are looking for tax-efficient ways to structure their investments.

In his latest 'Technically speaking' session for the Paraplanners' Assembly, Utmost's Steve Sayer explores how offshore bonds and trust structures work together – offering inheritance tax planning options that provide flexibility for clients who want to be prepared for the 'what ifs' of life.

Steve brings the options to life with a series of examples of different trust arrangements and how they can be combined.

He’ll show you how discounted gift trusts can provide an immediate reduction in estate value, how loan trusts offer capital access, and why reversionary interest trusts might help hesitant clients take their first steps with inheritance tax planning.

The session includes a detailed case study showing how married clients in their sixties, with £3.5 million in assets, could use multiple trust structures to meet their annual income needs all while reducing their inheritance tax liability.

What's more, you'll learn about the planning opportunities that come with non-UK long term residence status and how offshore bonds can keep assets outside the UK inheritance tax net.

And to round off his session, Steve shares a decision-tree approach that you’re bound to find useful when you’re weighing up client needs.

Grab a copy of Steve’s slides - plus a certificate for your CPD

Slides: trusts and offshore bonds - options for IHT

Then make sure to take our quick quiz to receive a certificate for your CPD:

CPD: Take the quiz to receive your certificate

Other useful links

Steve mentions Utmost's conversion guide for discounted gift trusts. You can download it here:

Discounted gift trust: conversion guide (May 2025)

Fancy watching this Assembly instead? Then visit the event page at the Paraplanners' Assembly website:

Technically speaking: Trusts and offshore bonds - options for IHT planning

You can find all our previous technical sessions with Utmost here:

Utmost x Paraplanners' Assembly: all our previous sessions

And don't forget to take a look at Utmost's Technical Academy webinar series too.

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