Cathi Harrison has been elected to the board of directors at the Personal Finance Society.
Harrison (pictured) began her career with Pace Financial Solutions, of Bishop Auckland, before moving to Brook-Dobson Bear, in Harrogate, three years later. She founded Darlington-based Para-Sols in 2009 and has subsequently expanded it into a limited company with 10 staff and a London office.
“My hope is to bring a fresh impetus to the board, from both a paraplanning and a ‘youth’ perspective,” she said.
“I am below the average adviser age and have a real enthusiasm to see more young people choosing financial services as their career. This will be one of my personal key aims to work towards over the coming three years.”
Personal Finance Society chief executive, Keith Richards, said: “Cathi’s is a key appointment that will extend and enhance our professional development capabilities for paraplanners.
“Demand for paraplanners is growing rapidly and they form a significant part of our overall membership,” he continued. “Cathi’s paraplanning experience was therefore a key factor behind her appointment, significantly broadening the board’s collective knowledge and expertise in this important area.”
Harison’s appointment follows that of new 2014/15 president, David Thomas, which was also announced at the Personal Finance Society’s September AGM.
The PFS has seen its membership increase by more than 1,000 individuals during the past 12 months with an even balance between advisers and support roles at advice firms. Just over half of the new members are aged 35 or younger, reflecting the sector’s focus on bringing new blood into the profession.