Our Story
Everyone loves a good story, so here’s ours so far.
Para-Sols was created on 1st June 2009 by Founder & Director, Cathi Harrison. She believed the industry would benefit from an outsourced solution – one where advisers had access to much needed paraplanning support on a flexible basis and without the long-term commitment.
Cathi was twice hailed for her bravery in sacrificing a secure job in the midst of a recession to go it alone and was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at both the Women into the Network Awards (WIN) and Shell LiveWIRE – her first two of many more awards which now fill our trophy cabinet.
As the reputation of Para-Sols begins to grow and demand takes off, Para-Sols first full time, permanent employee, Jo Campbell joins, to help take the business to the next level. Jo is now a Director at Para-Sols, overseeing every part of operations and ensuring that original service remains in operation today.
Now qualified as a Chartered and Certified Financial Planner, Cathi was awarded her first industry related award – Paraplanner of the Year at the Professional Adviser Awards.
With an ever-increasing client list, we embraced our company value of ‘Innovation’ and designed and built our own bespoke case management system. Rise was launched, improving our efficiency and giving our clients full transparency on their projects and their account status.
Cathi is appointed to the board of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) which marks the first ever Paraplanner representation to the board and Cathi’s first official role outside of the company. She later finishes her term in 2017.
We’re advocates of creating a company culture which both works hard and plays hard, so we opened our first ‘Para-Pub’, which we later name ‘The Tunstall Arms’ after a dear friend and colleague who sadly passed away.
We’re advocates of creating a company culture which both works hard and plays hard, so we opened our first ‘Para-Pub’, which we later name ‘The Tunstall Arms’ after a dear friend and colleague who sadly passed away.
We overcame our own, and industry-wide, recruitment challenges by launching the first paraplanning specific graduate training programme – The Grad Scheme – designed and delivered by our Leadership Team. In the first half of the year, our team increases to 17 members of staff and we move to new premises to accommodate yet more planned growth.
More awards, with both Jo (Highly Commended Team Leader of the Year) and Cathi (Woman of the Year, Adviser Support Services and Most Inspiring Returner) being recognised at the Professional Adviser Women in Finance Awards.
Para-Sols turns 10.. and has great fun celebrating it! Plus Grant Callaghan wins Paraplanner of the Year and Cheryl Lunn wins Administrator of the Year.
Following the COVID-19 crisis, the Para-Sols team worked hard to innovate, rebuilding not only the way we do our suitability reports, but the services we offer, including full virtual paraplanning.
