Old Mill paraplanner Samantha Gratton wins top industry award

A chartered paraplanner from Exeter financial experts Old Mill has won a top financial services award.

Samantha Gratton was awarded ‘Paraplanner of the Year’ at the coveted Professional Paraplanner Awards 2019 in London on June 13.

The Professional Paraplanner Awards - presented by Professional Paraplanner magazine and sponsored by Parmenion - recognise talent in the financial services profession, and highlight the role of paraplanners, who are key to the success of financial planning businesses.

This year, the number of awards were increased from three to six, to better reflect the distinct role paraplanners play within financial planning teams and Samantha took the top prize - Paraplanner of the Year – In-house.

Samantha began her career at Deloitte in Edinburgh where she was an auditor on the graduate scheme before working in the reporting team at Lloyds Banking Group in Edinburgh.

In 2010 she moved to Old Mill as an administrator. During her eight years with Old Mill, Sam has won a CII award for Best Completion of the AF5 Financial Planning paper and was shortlisted for Money Marketing magazine's Paraplanner of the Year award.

Samantha said: “I was really pleased to be shortlisted for the Professional Paraplanning Awards as these are uniquely targeted at my profession. To be announced as the winner was fantastic!

“I am lucky to absolutely love the job I do, and Old Mill has been incredibly supportive in my development over the years.”

Paula Hodge said: “We are so incredibly pleased for Samantha – she is a valued and dedicated member of our team. Her passion for what she does shines through in the relationships she has built with clients and colleagues alike. Samantha is always determined to do her very best, so this award is richly deserved.”