PA360: 'Lack of consensus' on paraplanner duties - Anna Sofat

Lessons learned from abroad

Victoria McKeever
clock • 2 min read

One of the principal challenges facing the UK paraplanning profession is the "lack of consensus" around what the role actually entails, Anna Sofat told delegates at last week's PA360 conference.

Addressing Professional Adviser's inaugural all-day conference, the Valenta BPO UK director argued there was no consensus on what paraplanners do or should do. Sofat, who set up Valenta BPO UK in 2017 as a joint venture for outsourcing paraplanning between her UK-based advice firm Addidi Wealth and Brisbane-based Valenta, said advice professionals in the UK could learn lessons from abroad. As an example, she said working with Valenta had enabled her to scale up Addidi Wealth without "too much pain".  She believed paraplanning was a more "defined profession" in Australia, arguing the U...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Bridging the gulf between education and pursuing a career in advice

Bridging the gulf between education and pursuing a career in advice

'There's a pressing need for fresh infusions of young talent into the advice sector'

Steve Nelson
clock 09 December 2025 • 4 min read
Why the path to financial advice isn't necessarily narrow

Why the path to financial advice isn't necessarily narrow

Advice offers a fantastic opportunity to set your own parameters for a fulfilling work-life balance

Roger Brosch
clock 09 December 2025 • 4 min read
FCA proposes overhaul of client categorisation rules

FCA proposes overhaul of client categorisation rules

In response to industry calls for a more flexible regime

Sahar Nazir
clock 08 December 2025 • 2 min read