Paraplanner Zone: Svenja Keller

Svenja Keller joined John Lamb Partnership in October 2008 in her first paraplanning role and just over a year later scooped the Paraplanner of the Year title at the Professional Adviser Awards 2010.

Hot on the heels of winning her award, Svenja was promoted to adviser at John Lamb. Here she tells us about her new role and the transition from paraplanner to adviser.

Q. How did you feel winning the award and do you think it was a platform for your promotion to adviser?
A. I was very happy to win my award and it was a real surprise. And yes, I guess the award did play a part in my promotion to adviser.

Q. What is your new role?
A. I am an adviser, so it is a financial planning role. I deal with all aspects of financial planning, apart from mortgages. There are nine advisers at John Lamb, including me, and two paraplanners. I am in a junior role, so am still learning the trade. At the moment I am in a transition period between paraplanner and adviser. I am still finishing paraplanning reports but also working as an adviser and speaking to clients.

Q. Did you always plan to become an adviser?
A. No, it was not part of the plan; it just happened. I did not really set out with any aim when I started in the industry. However, I was always open to both the paraplanner and adviser spheres. I think it is important to keep an open mind and remain flexible.

Q. How easy is the transition from paraplanner to adviser?
A. There is quite a lot to learn and the real change is dealing with clients: the job of an adviser is to communicate with clients and establish their needs and objectives.

A paraplanner does much less client-facing work. Both roles are technical, but a paraplanner obviously delves into more detail. As an adviser, I need to communicate with clients in a less technical way so they understand what I am saying. I can also work more independently.

Q. Are you taking any new qualifications?
A. I am not undertaking any new training specifically for my adviser role, but we are all training to become chartered. I got my diploma in December and my next goal is the advanced diploma, then chartered or certified status. But I would have been working for these qualifications as a paraplanner. They are equally important to both paraplanner and adviser. John Lamb has supported me fully in my training.

In terms of my adviser position, all training is on the job. If I attend an important meeting one of my bosses usually accompanies me and afterwards we chat about the meeting and I can ask questions.  

Q. How is the role of paraplanning evolving?
A. Paraplanning as a career and paraplanning with a view to becoming an adviser are equally valid. For some, it is completely viable that paraplanning is a career, and perhaps there should be more awareness it is a profession in its own right.

Paraplanners are a very important part of the team. Others may see paraplanning as a stepping stone to becoming an adviser. Both positions should be respected and there are no rules.

Q. What qualities should a good paraplanner possess?
A. Attention to detail is a must. You also need to ensure the adviser gets very accurate information and understand what both the adviser and client wants. Possessing good technical skills is obviously important too.