Paradigm Mortgage Services has revealed that its second Direct Authorisation (DA) Transition workshop will take place in Belfast in April.

The event is dedicated to helping firms either move from appointed representative (AR) to DA status, or supporting individuals new to the industry, or within advisory practices who wish to go on their own and set up their own DA firms.

The workshop will take place in Belfast on Tuesday 30 April at the Hastings Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street with registration starting at 10am. The day will include a range of presentations from senior Paradigm staff providing an insight into what is involved in the process, requirements to secure DA status, and the support that can be provided with the FCA Application.

 Presentations are designed to help attendees achieve the following learning objectives:

• Increasing understanding of what to expect on becoming DA.
• Understanding what to consider when deciding whether it is the right time/move.
• Outlining the initial and ongoing costs involved in going DA.
• Detailing the support that Paradigm can offer.

Attendance at the half-day event will be free of charge, completely confidential and no third-party lenders, providers, networks or support service firms will be at the workshop.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided and there will also be time for delegates to network with both Paradigm staff and fellow attendees.

Places are limited so those wishing to attend the transition workshop can register by visiting: https://www.paradigmmortgages.com/DA/event_registration.php

Bob Hunt, chief executive of Paradigm Mortgage Services, said: “After developing this workshop, and running it for the first time earlier this year in London, we have seen a considerable demand for us to repeat the event right across the UK. Clearly, there are large numbers of advisers either reviewing their current set-up and authorisation, or are new to the market and are looking at the variety of advisory options available to them.

“This is why we’ll be in Belfast at the end of April to outline the pathway that is available for advisers to secure DA status, plus we’ll outline how firms can leave a network, the potential costs involved, the FCA process, the support available and what all these changes will mean for firms and individual advisers.

“It’s a full agenda but the feedback we received from London attendees suggests it was well worth their time and it has been the catalyst a number of businesses needed to make the change. We’re looking forward to seeing advisers in Belfast later this month and we will shortly be announcing additional events across the UK.”