Partner Article

And the shortlist is…

Monday 30th January 2017 turned out to be a pretty momentous day. We moved into our brand spanking (and very spacious!) new offices and suitably marked the start of our new chapter with a red ribbon across the door. The team were chuffed with their little ‘moving in’ gifts, the technology seemed to behave itself (in the main) and the neighbours seemed nice, the types who’ll lend us the proverbial bowl of sugar. But just when we thought our day couldn’t get any better… We got a (metaphorical) knock on our new office door and were handed a golden telegram – ok, so it wasn’t an actual telegram, just a lovely lady on the other end of the phone – telling us that we’ve been shortlisted for the Teesside leg of the locally prestigious North East Business Awards in the Best Small Business category.

We’re not sure of our competition just yet and don’t underestimate it’ll be no mean feat, but we’re already feeling pretty incredible that we’ve been recognised for our potential and shortlisted as one of just three finalists in Teesside.

“To be recognised for our contribution to the financial services industry, as well as the regional economy, is pretty amazing! There’s been an awful lot of blood, sweat and tears gone into making Para-Sols the success that it is today and with more exciting plans ahead for this year, this is an extra bit of cheer that will spur me on through undoubtedly lots more of the same!” Cathi Harrison, Owner & Director

Asked to demonstrate our innovation, judges were impressed with the investment we’ve put into the design of our bespoke case management system Rise, alongside our creative thinking in launching our very own Graduate Training Scheme approach to in-house training and our commitment to growing the paraplanning talent pool. With some plans up our sleeve to extend our services too, it’s important our ambitions are reinforced with courage and enthusiasm!

So come on cheerleaders, step forward and make yourselves known. We’d really appreciate the extra dance practice to perfect your pom-pom shaking and high kicks ready for the big night on 30th March. If we walk away with a trophy that night, we get the chance to fight it out with winners from the Tyneside & Northumberland and Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside regions with just one of us crowned as Best Small Business in the North East.

Give me a P. P! Give me an A…

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Natalie Bell .