WHO I HELP
Private clients. Families. Individuals planning for their financial future. Clients with complex financial circumstances. Clients looking for greater clarity and confidence around their financial plans.
HOW I HELP
Financial planning support. Cashflow forecasting. Financial research. Strategy development. Paraplanning. Client-focused financial plans. Adviser support. Technical analysis. Exploring alternative strategies. Reviewing financial objectives. Keeping up to date with legislation, regulation and tax changes.
“I believe financial planning should give you peace of mind, not paperwork!”
With more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Lauren has developed a broad understanding of financial planning, having worked across roles from administration through to paraplanning. Today, her role involves working closely with advisers to understand client objectives, preparing cashflow forecasts, researching suitable strategies and developing clear, client-friendly financial plans.
Building a career in financial planning
Financial planning wasn’t originally the career path Lauren had planned to pursue. However, supportive managers and colleagues recognised strengths and potential that she hadn’t fully recognised themselves. Their encouragement inspired Lauren to develop her knowledge and skills, ultimately leading to a commitment to professional qualifications and achieving Chartered status.
Working with private clients and families, Lauren brings both technical knowledge and an understanding of the personal side of financial planning. Her experience across different roles means she can look at a situation from different perspectives, helping to ensure recommendations are not only technically sound but right for the individual.
Putting people before the numbers
For Lauren, successful financial planning starts with understanding the person behind the numbers.
“People buy people, not awards or accolades. Showing genuine interest in what matters to a client is just as important as understanding their financial situation. Clients may not remember every detail of a conversation, but they will remember how you made them feel, and that’s what helps build trust and lasting relationships.”
Taking the time to understand a client’s goals, concerns and ambitions allow Lauren to build a complete picture before considering the financial solutions that could help. Creating an open environment is an important part of this, particularly when clients may be hesitant to share personal information.
The most rewarding part is seeing clients embrace a plan that has been built around their individual needs.
“It’s incredibly rewarding when they agree with the vision because it shows you’ve truly listened and understood what matters most to them.”
Challenging the status quo
A key part of Lauren’s career has been demonstrating the value of paraplanning and the important role it plays within the financial planning process.
Rather than being purely a support function, paraplanning involves analysing complex situations, conducting research, challenging assumptions and exploring alternative solutions alongside advisers. For Lauren, the strongest outcomes come from combining different perspectives and areas of expertise.
That collaborative approach extends across AAB, where having access to colleagues with different areas of expertise provides opportunities to share ideas, challenge thinking and consider solutions that might otherwise have been missed.
Staying up to date is also an important part of the role, particularly as legislation, regulation and tax rules continue to change. Lauren approaches this through continuous learning, while maintaining a willingness to ask questions and challenge established ways of working.
“I don’t accept things just because they’ve always been done that way. I ask questions, challenge ideas, and look for better ways of doing things to help deliver the best outcomes.”
Making a difference to clients
Ultimately, Lauren sees financial planning as about much more than numbers and recommendations. The greatest compliment she can receive is simply “thank you” — whether that’s for listening, explaining something clearly or helping a client feel confident about their financial future.
For Lauren, that’s what makes financial planning so rewarding: helping people feel heard, understood and confident that they have a plan in place to achieve what matters most to them.
