An FCA expert who dismissed claims that due diligence is too time-consuming and too cost-prohibitive for small firms will take over from technical specialist Rory Percival.

FCA lead associate Christopher Hewitt, an expert in due diligence, says 'size doesn't matter' when it comes to Paraplanners and Financial Planners complying with regulatory due diligence demands.

Technology 'disrupters' will change the face of financial planning over the next few years but Paraplanners will continue to be in demand, predicts Colin Sloss, senior business development manager at technology firm IRESS.

Paraplanner of the Year Adam Wareing urged delegates at the CISI Parapanning Conference taking place today in Warwickshire to make marginal skill gains every week because they lead to "big improvements" in the quality of Paraplanning over the long term.

Mr Wareing CFP^TM APP Chartered MCSI, winner of the IFP Paraplanner of the Year award in 2015, told more than 100 delegates at the event: "Getting better never stops. You are never too old to learn a new skill. Look to challenge yourself to practice a new skill each week just beyond your current abilities. Excel is a good one to build on the knowledge you have each week.

"Marginal gains add up to big improvements over time."

The head of Paraplanning at Clarion Wealth Planning said that he used the same technique himself, for example committing to learning a new Excel formula each week.

He cited the example of the Beatles, who could barely play their instruments when they went to play a long term gig in a club in Hamburg. Playing for hours every day improved their guitar skills hugely and when they came back to the UK their skills helped them changed the pop world.

Mr Wareing said other skills which could be improved over time included areas such as listening, writing financial plans, writing skills and much else besides. Paraplanners should commit to adding to their skills and improving existing skills every week, he said.

Over one hundred delegates heard Mr Wareing speak at the CISI Paraplanner Conference 2016 this morning. Some Paraplanners took part in some pre-conference technical sessions yesterday before drinks, dinner and a quiz last night.

This morning the new head of Financial Planning at the CISI, Campbell Edgar Chartered FCSI, opened proceedings, welcoming delegates to the event which is themed on "Getting Better Never Stops."

Dan Atkinson APP ACSI, senior technical consultant at EQ and IFP Paraplanner of the Year 2014, is co-chairing with Farida Hassanali CFPTM Chartered MCSI, Paraplanner at UBS and chair of the Paraplanner Professional Interest Group. Dan has recently started a new regular column for Financial Planning Today website.

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