Barry Horner, chief executive of Bristol-based financial planners Paradigm Norton, is to become the first UK chair of international financial-standards body the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB).
Barry, pictured, who has already been president of the UK’s Institute of Financial Planning, takes up the position in 2014. Until then he will act as FPSB chair-elect. 
Barry’s role on the international stage coincides with a period of great change in UK financial services. From January, financial advisers and planners will charge for their advice and know-how instead of receiving commission from the financial services company that provides the product.
“UK financial planning is going through some big changes which other countries around the world will be watching with interest,” said Barry. “Because of that, it’s a great time to be leading the Financial Standards Planning Board, and it will be a privilege and an opportunity to be chairperson in 2014.”
After graduating, Barry trained with a firm of chartered accountants for three years and went on to work as an accountant in industry for two FTSE-100 companies. In 1989 he established a wealth management firm which was sold to a US financial planning practice in 1999.
He was one of the founders of Paradigm Capital Management in 2001 and has subsequently led the team to a position where the firm is regarded as one of the most respected in the industry. Paradigm Norton has been awarded the Citywire NMA South West award in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 recognising it as the top financial planning firm in the South West.
Paradigm Norton, which has offices in Ham Green, near Bristol, and Torquay, turns over about £4m a year.
