Team - Para-Sols

From technical researchers to paraplanners and amazing administrators, through our team you have access to a whole host of skills and qualifications. Consider them a bolt-on to your company, ready to support you and your clients.

Awesome members in our ever growing team!

All Paraplanning Leadership Business Operations Client Support

Cathi Harrison FPFS

Cathi is the founder and owner of Para-Sols; she has been in financial services since leaving university and, as an exam geek, holds far too many qualifications. She undertook paraplanning in Para-Sols until October 2018 when she was prised away from it, to focus on the business growth and development.

Cathi splits her time working on all the companies within The Verve Group, as well as recording That Mint Podcast and helping to progress the evolution of financial services. Outside of work, she likes to adventure with her little boy and drink wine. Lots of wine.

Interesting fact: Semi-proficient in archery.

mailto:cathi@para-sols.co.uk https://twitter.com/CathiTweets

Jo Campbell DipPFS

Jo has been with Para-Sols since 2010 being our first full time employee! Her role of managing Para-Sols keeps her very busy with 16 full-time paraplanners, 4 financial administrators and a plethora of support staff. Not only this, but she also sits on the board at group level (The Verve Group) where she regularly works hard to drive home the Verve mission of working on ways we can continue to support the planner community, allowing them to do what they do best, while we do the rest.

She is one half of That Mint Podcast, a revolutionary look at finance. She won the Money Marketing Best Paraplanner award in 2016 and is regularly highly commended for her leadership qualities.

Outside of work, Jo can usually be found playing with her dog (Cedric Doggery), dancing northern soul, or drinking rum. Not always exclusively separate.

Interesting fact: Has the fastest tortoise in Coundon.

mailto:jo@para-sols.co.uk

Kim Binks

As Director of our sister company, Apricity Compliance, Kim is an integral part of our leadership team. Her wealth of experience and expert knowledge in the world of compliance means she can offer invaluable advice to the Para-Sols team to ensure we are always in line with all regulatory updates and changes.

When not in the office, Kim loves to travel to new places and enjoys getting out in the countryside with her dogs.

Interesting fact: Has lived in four different countries (England, UAE, Australia and Spain!)

mailto:kim@para-sols.co.uk

Natalie Bell

With a creative background in all things, marketing, communications and culture change, Natalie puts her engagement skills to the test by helping us to manage our growth, all the while ensuring we stay true to our vision and core values. Natalie takes coaching our staff to the next level and has even developed our own internal leadership development programme.

As the team continues to grow, she puts her qualifications in Motivational Behaviour and NLP to good use by creating exciting staff engagement initiatives, making sure that the Para-Sols culture continues to be one that we all love!

Outside of work Nat enjoys spending time with her family and being crafty (as in making things, not hatching world domination plans {or so she tells us}).

Interesting fact: Graduated in the House of Commons.

mailto:natalie@para-sols.co.uk https://twitter.com/TweetNatBell

Grant Callaghan APFS

As one of our award winning hub leaders, Grant joined us initially by taking part in one of our first graduate internships. Having quickly been made a permanent part of the team he embarked on our trainee paraplanner programme, completed his Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and has from there achieved his Chartered status.

Not only that, but he is also an Associate of the Personal Finance Society and he made the front cover of Professional Paraplanner magazine.

Often called upon from third parties to test new fintech software, consult on external projects and while keeping abreast of all things new in the industry, Grant has found a good balance of being very technical, while mentoring the newer members of the team.

Outside work he enjoys following football (particularly Arsenal) as well as playing 11-aside and attempting to get better at golf!

Interesting fact: Cannot eat apples.

mailto:grant@para-sols.co.uk

Peter Rhoden DipPFS

Peters ambitious attitude and solid work ethic makes him a valued member of the Para-Sols team. With around 10 years financial services experience, a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, and a handful of advanced qualifications it is no surprise that Peter has become a natural mentor for the team.

He is our defined benefit specialist, and can usually be found knee deep in a complicated TVA.

Along with the rest of the team, he spends most of his spare time on his studies! Although he also enjoys taking a break by keeping fit and playing cricket for Hartlepool Cricket Club.

Interesting fact: Won the inaugural Para-Sols dance-off.

mailto:peter@para-sols.co.uk

Kate Hall DipPFS

As one of our first success stories from The Grad Scheme, Kate has since continued her hard work and dedication by adding to her bag of qualifications with a Diploma in Financial Planning and a Certificate in Mortgage Advice. She also holds the advanced pension qualification and is working towards her Advanced Diploma.

Kate is a maths nerd and specialises in calculations and cashflow, though she does put her Zoology degree to good use, by keeping the team in check.

Outside of work Kate enjoys horse-riding, being outdoors and drinking wine.

Interesting fact: Has a pet snake called Severus Snake.

mailto:kate@para-sols.co.uk

Rachael Wilson DipPFS

Fresh out of Leeds Beckett University in 2016 (with a first class honours degree in BA Accounting and Finance!), Rachael joined us on The Grad Scheme and immediately made her mark. Since then, Rachael’s hard work and dedication have paid off, as she has achieved her Diploma in Financial Planning and has almost completed her Advanced Diploma. She will become chartered next year, when her 5 years is upon us.

Rachael loves working on the holistic side of financial planning and creates beautiful financial plans for our clients, covering a huge amount of areas, in great detail.

A natural gym bunny, Rachael loves spending time with her family and friends, especially when it involves food or something fun like theme parks or high ropes courses.

Interesting fact: Lives with Grant and a weird stray cat they found.

mailto:rachael@para-sols.co.uk

Lee Hastie DipPFS

Another The Grad Scheme success story, Lee has been a key member of the Para-Sols team since 2017. His degree in History, has helped him master the art of analytical thinking and carrying out focused research projects which have proved advantageous as his role has developed over the last few years.

Lee has obtained Level 4 status and recently took his first Advanced Diploma qualification.

Financial planning runs in the Hastie family and his ambition and passion for paraplanning are clear to see – almost as much as his passion for all things football!

Interesting fact: Has a unique blue birthmark.

mailto:lee@para-sols.co.uk

Sunaina Khaylar

Sunaina joined us through our training programme, The Grad Scheme, after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with a degree in English & Linguistics. With a natural aptitude for paraplanning, she is an integral part of the Para-Sols team and can often be found assisting the newer members of the team.

Away from the office Sunaina enjoys experimenting with makeup, cooking and taking her tiny 5ft 1” (and a half!) frame out for drinks with friends.

Interesting fact: Name translates to “beautiful eyed princess”

mailto:sunaina@para-sols.co.uk

Alex Buckle DipPFS

As a Psychology graduate from Durham University, Alex stormed her way through The Grad Scheme in 2017 with her forensic way of thinking. Her experience and naturally analytical mind have propelled her into the world of paraplanning and there are no signs of her slowing down.

Alex told us her friends and family are likely to describe her as friendly and hard-working and we have to say, we completely agree with them.

Having obtained her Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, Alex is currently focused on innovation and introducing more technology aspects to our proposition.

She was the inaugural winner of the Verve award for employee of the year, 2019, for embodying all of the company values every day.

Interesting fact: Unknowingly saw Ian McKellen in Les Mis at the theatre – yet claims she is really good at recognising faces!

mailto:alex@para-sols.co.uk

Sophie McIntosh DipPFS

With a History degree and as a successful graduate of our brainchild The Grad Scheme, Sophie utilises her natural flair for written communication and her top notch research and analysis skills to provide her clients with the very best paraplanning service.

Has completed her Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.

A key member of the team since 2017, Sophie holds the unofficial inhouse award for ‘Best Cover Letter in the History of Para-Sols’.

Interesting fact: Has four guinea pigs.

mailto:sophie@para-sols.co.uk

Helen Hartley

With a Business & Economics degree and as a successful graduate of our 2018 intake of The Grad Scheme, Helen had all the qualifications to start her financial services journey.

Not only that, she has a whole host of skills including her impeccable customer service and efficient ways of working.

Having recently sat RO6, Helen is on her way to completing her Diploma.

Outside of work Helen is a social butterfly and loves nothing more than a beer garden with friends (English weather permitting!).

Interesting fact: Cannot use emojis appropriately

mailto:helen@para-sols.co.uk

Fran Wigham DipPFS

Fran was another success story from The Grad Scheme, joining us with a degree in Business Management and a tenacious attitude towards learning. Her previous management skills in retail lends to her customer service acumen and she is now fully immersed in the world of financial services.

Fran recently completed her Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and plans to continue her studies onto the Advanced Diploma.

Outside of work, Fran enjoys cooking Japanese cuisine, camping trips and attending music festivals.

Interesting fact: Fran can play the violin.

mailto:fran@para-sols.co.uk

Alasdair Wilson

Alasdair (or Ali as we know him) originally started his career with a Geology degree from the University of St Andrews and a job teaching A-level students. As much as he enjoyed it, the rate of progression wasn’t up to his level of ambition so he focussed on developing a career in another profession that excited him – financial services!

Joining us on The Grad Scheme and with his academic background, Ali flourished has already proved to be an instrumental member of the Para-Sols team. He likes to focus on the investment side of finance, and will likely to be found immersed in a CIP or model portfolio.

Not that it’s not considered ‘work’, his love and interest for all things Geology has been encouraged!

Interesting fact: Used to be a teacher. Doesn’t wear tweed.

mailto:alasdair@para-sols.co.uk

Andrew Broderick

With a History degree from Aberystwyth University, Andrew joined Para-Sols as an expert when it comes to research and report writing.

The world of financial services was quite a departure from the early-20th century political history he was used to, however that didn’t stop him and he quickly became a pro at all things paraplanning.

As well as being a keen historian, there are two main loves in Andrew’s life – his guinea pigs, Clive and Wesley.

Interesting fact: Has an unhealthy obsession with the webcam for his guinea pigs.

mailto:andrew@para-sols.co.uk

Michael Cooke

Michael kicked off his career with a History degree from Northumbria University. His extracurricular activities, including working part time as a Reviewer for Northumbria Students’ Union and volunteering in a research project which tracked the career trajectories of Northumbria grads, made him stand out from the crowd when it came to his application for The Grad Scheme. That and his application included the Fresh Prince of Bel Air rap.

The research and report writing skills that he has built on since being at Para-Sols makes him an excellent paraplanner.

His can-do attitude and general positivity is always a real encouragement within the office.

Interesting fact: Once played chess with the actor who played James in the 1996 film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach.

mailto:michael@para-sols.co.uk

Johnathan Jules

Johnathan joined the team after graduating from Birmingham City University with a degree in Media and Communications, and moving to the North East.

Preferring to keep his superb videography skills as a hobby, he decided that a career in finance was much more up his street, and he hasn’t looked back since!

He has a great eye for detail and is known for his amazing laugh within the office.

Interesting fact: Can do an uncanny Bane impression.

mailto:johnathan@para-sols.co.uk

Luke Pottage

Luke is the ultimate researcher. Having graduated with a Business Management from Teesside University, he particularly enjoyed the modules in which he was able to research extensively and so, when he heard about a career in paraplanning, it seemed like a match made in heaven.

In his free time, Luke enjoys playing strategy games where he can analyse different ways to improve his style of play and spends hours reading about the games and watching other players – we weren’t joking, he really is an extensive researcher!

Interesting fact: Most recent “best dancer at the Summer Soiree” winner.

mailto:luke@para-sols.co.uk

Ellie Lockington

Ellie is a self-confessed organisational queen and loves nothing more than getting things in order. Having graduated from Teesside University with a degree in fine art she combined her organisational and creative skills, and is on her way to becoming the ultimate paraplanner.

Before joining Para-Sols, Ellie spent time travelling North America – she still loves to travel whenever possible.

Interesting fact: Once did the CN tower edge walk in Toronto, eek!

mailto:ellie@para-sols.co.uk

Cheryl Lunn

As well as overseeing operations and quality across the business, Cheryl manages the administration team. Her strong administrative background ensures a seamless transition from data gathering, through to report writing. Not only that, but Cheryl also trains entrants to The Grad Scheme on the world of finance.

Outside of the office, (and sometimes inside!) Cheryl loves spending time with her little dogs, Bobo and Pippa.

Interesting fact: Always mixes up her idioms. For example, “Too many cooks, spoil the kitchen”.

mailto:cheryl@para-sols.co.uk

Hannah Douthwaite

With a background in debt collection and administrator based roles, Hannah’s natural eye for organisation and data gathering proves advantageous when supporting a very busy team of paraplanners.

Focussing on the defined benefit pensions scheme cases, she is an integral member of our ever growing technical research hub. There is not much in the world of occupational pensions she has not come across and is the nemesis of many a scheme administrator.

Interesting fact: Keen baker, and official cake dealer to the office.

mailto:hannah@para-sols.co.uk

Megan Flounders

With an English degree, unbeatable grammar skills, and plenty of customer service and administrative knowledge, Megan has both the qualifications and the experience to perform the ultimate client support service.

She is no stranger to client research and when she isn’t working hard supporting our clients, Megan enjoys binge watching TV series’ and going out for a cheeky daiquiri (or 5).

Interesting fact: Would rather read her favourite books over and over again, than start a new one.

mailto:megan@para-sols.co.uk

Ellen Wood

Ellen brings a bag full of skills, experience and qualifications to the Client Support team, including an AAT Level 2 in Bookkeeping. Along with a passion for being super organised, an Excel whizz and an always a bright cheery voice at the end of the phone, Ellen is an integral member of the team.

When she’s not working, you’ll probably find her with a Bubblegum Daiquiri in hand.

Interesting fact: Everything has to be even numbers! From the TV and radio volume to the amount of fish fingers she cooks.

mailto:ellen@para-sols.co.uk

Dwight Scaife

With a varied background, including working as a graphic designer for 8 years (following his degree in the same subject) and running his own events company, Dwight brings his passion for talking to people and businesses and helping create solutions for their problems, to Para-Sols. He’s often the first point of contact for advisers in Para-Sols, explaining our range of services and training them on how to make the most of our systems and solutions.

Outside of work Dwight is extremely busy with a tiny little baby (and wife and dog!) and enjoys running (for fitness, not just to escape the baby, wife and dog).

Interesting fact: Taught English in China – can only remember two words in Chinese – frog and waiter.

mailto:dwight@para-sols.co.uk

Sam Lennie

Sam is one of our Marketing and Events Managers. Along with Naomi, she coordinates the strategic marketing and events activity across the whole of The Verve Group, including Para-Sols. Sam has almost a decade of experience in creating engaging and impactful campaigns, driving brand success and developing and delivering a wide variety of online and physical events across different sectors. Sam is a qualified NLP Practitioner which allows her to use creative techniques to make positive, lasting change in individuals, groups and businesses.

A self-confessed holiday addict, Sam loves to spend her time outside the office travelling to new places and trying the local food.

Interesting fact: Once kidnapped by an elephant in Thailand.

mailto:samantha@weareverve.co.uk

Naomi Graham

Naomi (aka Nome) is one of our Marketing and Events Managers. Along with Sam, she oversees the strategic marketing activity for both Para-Sols, and across the whole of The Verve Group. She has a broad range of experience in managing communications, driving cultural change and developing large scale live event solutions for a wide variety of sectors. Nome is a qualified NLP Practitioner and an expert in inter-generational theory which she uses to develop creative communications to engage a wide range of audiences, especially those considered hard to reach.

Nome is a born crafter and enjoys all things artistic.

Interesting fact: Currently on maternity leave spending time with her beautiful baby boy, Ruben.

mailto:naomi@para-sols.co.uk

Jasmine Nattrass

Jas is our super creative Marketing & Events Coordinator. With a degree in Advertising in Social Media & Creative Enterprise, she uses her experience to strengthen our brand positioning across The Verve Group. She’s our go-to for all things digital (no surprise as a self-confessed ‘millennial’) and is the voice of our social media on a day-to-day basis.

A lover of the arts, Jas has ran three half marathons (including one in Spain) despite hating running. Creative and ambitious – that’s Jas!

Interesting fact: Has danced at The Royal Albert Hall.

mailto:jasmine@para-sols.co.uk

Lindsey Duggan

Lindsey is the perfect fit for our inhouse Financial Controller role with her degree in Psychology with Business Management, which combined Accountancy, Business and People Management. When in the office, Lindsey is responsible for invoices and all things financially related to the business – you may hear her friendly voice over the phone if you happen to have any queries!

Outside of work, Lindsey is a busy Mum of two – so spends as much time as she can with her lovely children and husband.

Interesting fact: Also a qualified dog groomer, yet she now has two cats!

mailto:lindsey@para-sols.co.uk

Amy Alderson

Amy’s degree in Business Management from Leeds Metropolitan University, combined with a wealth of employment experience within different Operations, Management, Events and Customer Service roles, makes her the perfect fit to provide executive support to both the leadership team, and all our clients across the Verve Group supporting delivery of services and co-ordinating where needed.

Outside of work, Amy enjoys travelling and being outdoors, especially on long walks with her dog. A true foodie, she loves cooking and eating out!

Interesting Fact – Hates Sweetcorn! Yack!

mailto:amy@weareverve.co.uk

Andrew Rees

Andrew graduated from Teesside University with an Information Technology degree and has 27 years’ experience of working as a software engineer across a variety of industries including the publishing and financial sectors in both the UK and the USA.

Hi wealth of experience makes him responsible for the continuing development of both the Para-Sols and Apricity systems.

Outside work he loves to travel, mainly by cruise ship (he promises it’s the only way to travel!) and tasting the local beers wherever he goes.

Interesting fact: Once met Prince Charles.

mailto:andrew@weareverve.co.uk