AusBonsai

Here is Treeman's old English Elm, ignore the double trunk thing, i'm referencing the narrower overall canopy shape as the direction i would take an Elm in future, and where i think yours could head very effectively

Hmmm, much to consider, thankfully bonsai lends itself to procrastination otherwise I'd be stuffed

Well this thing went nuts, shot multiple branches in all the right places, looks like I'll be able to knock a good 6-7cm off the trunk. I was planning to let it grow out this year but I think its pretty safe to move forward. Maybe take each branch back to 4 or 5 nodes? 30th September 20th October

I'd wire the base of the new branches into your preferred angles while still pliable but then let them grow. Branches will need to gain some thickness and they won't do that if you keep cutting them. Just keep a good watch on the wires as those branches will thicken quick. It may only take a few weeks for really young shoots to set in position.
Allowing some branch growth will also feed the new roots.
You now know these will bud anywhere on bare wood so plenty of time to chop the branches when they are a bit thicker.