Member Article

Double whammy for County Durham finance expert

A county Durham finance expert is the first person to hold two top financial titles at the same time.

Gemma Siddle, a technical financial planner from Bishop Auckland-based Eldon Financial Planning, won the inaugural Paraplanner of the Year from the Chartered Insurance Institute last November.

She’s now been awarded the Institute of Financial Planning’s inaugural Paraplanner of the Year 2013.

She holds both titles at the same time, making her indisputably the top technical planner in the UK at the age of 29.

The IFP says its award has been established as the ultimate prize for UK Paraplanners, based on testing core knowledge and skills and providing a platform for technical planners to demonstrate their all round excellence.

Eldon director Joss Harwood said: “We’re so proud of Gemma and delighted that her determination to develop her expertise to the highest level has led to her winning this very special award.

“To be recognised as a leader in her field by the IFP is a wonderful accolade and gives her a platform to demonstrate that a Paraplanner is a highly skilled and invaluable member of a forward thinking Financial Planning firm.

“To win this whilst at the same time holding the Chartered Insurance Institute’s award is incredible.”

Gemma added: “It may only be for a relatively short time but I am holding the top awards from both professional bodies simultaneously. I am very proud of that achievement.”

Eldon employs seven people and has a portfolio of some 260 clients.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .