Paraplanners have begun gathering in Warwick today for the CISI Paraplanner Conference, with attendance over the two days estimated at around 150.

Nearly 51% of households received more benefits then they paid in taxes, according to the government’s official statistics firm, ONS.

Aegon manager Mark Till is to step up to a larger role following the retirement of Duncan Jarrett, managing director retail, at the end of June after 30 years at the firm based in Edinburgh.

Fund research and ratings group RSMR has launched its own platform offering a combined platform and model portfolio fee of 0.25%.

The Financial Ombudsman’s annual review has revealed a significant increase in complaints about personal pension plans.

FundsNetwork has increased the number of investment trusts available on its platform by 12 to 66.

Over one hundred delegates poured into the main hall for The Paraplanner Conference 2016 this morning and you can follow all the activity here on Financial Planning Today.

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.

Follow what delegates are saying by using the hashtag #paraconf and see our Twitter feed below for all comments. 

#paraconf Tweets Tweets by @FPTodayNews

Leaders serve their teams, they don’t put themselves first, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army told the CISI Paraplanner Conference this morning.

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.