Financial planning firm appoints CEO in next stage of succession

Employee-owned financial planning firm has appointed its next chief executive to replace co-founder Barry Horner as part of a leadership transition.

Philippa Hann has been a non-executive director of Paradigm Norton for the past 18 months after a legal career mostly with Clarke Willmott that including leading a team of 120 people as head of litigation. She will take up the role next April, subject to regulatory approval.

Paradigm Norton, which has offices in Bristol, Exeter, Torquay and London, transitioned to employee ownership in 2019, and Hann’s appointment is the next major step in the company’s succession planning.

Hann said: “My journey into the financial services sector has been developed over two decades as a lawyer and is driven by a deep commitment to excellence, integrity, and client satisfaction. I believe that the core values of both law and financial services are closely aligned – trust, precision and a relentless pursuit of the best outcomes.”

Horner, who turns 65 next June, will remain as chair of the main board and will work part-time, focusing on attracting new clients to the business.

He added: “Philippa brings a wealth of knowledge of the profession, strong leadership skills, and a passion for client service. I am hugely confident that she will guide the firm towards continued success and exceptional service delivery – the hallmark of our relationship with clients.”