Financial planning stars applauded at Personal Finance Awards

The winners of the Personal Finance Awards 2022, held in association with Just, were announced by English actress, television presenter and comedian Sally Phillips during a ceremony at the Birmingham NEC today (1 November).

The Private Office was chosen to pick up the Chartered Firm of the Year due to their approach to attracting fresh talent to the profession, with their trainee adviser academy leading to 25 qualified financial planners.

Judges also praised the firm for committing to gift 25 per cent of the organisation’s future value to Restore Our Planet, a grant-making charity that invests in the protection and restoration of Britain's natural habitat.

Stuart Phillips, CEO of The Private Office, said: “We are proud to have won this award, which validates the trust clients place in us when they present their life’s work and savings and ask us to look after their family.”

Picking up the award for Chartered Financial Planner of the Year was Hazel Bowen, Director and Chartered Financial Planner at Coutts.

Ms Bowen impressed judges with her client-centric approach, financial education work and the way she has challenged perceptions of socio-economic mobility in the profession.

She said: “I will use this award to inspire others who come from a working-class background or didn’t go to university to consider a career in the profession, and speak about what financial planning really means. Financial planning isn’t about numbers or selling insurance. People aren’t interested in investment returns so much as what they can achieve with their lives and this is what financial planning is all about".

The full list of winners:

Chartered Financial Planner of the Year: Hazel Bowen, Director and Chartered Financial Planner at Coutts

Chartered Financial Planning Firm of the Year: The Private Office

Paraplanner of the Year: Marlena Eltringham, paraplanner at BRI Wealth Management

Mortgage & Protection Advice Specialist of the Year: Yasir Al-Din, Chartered Financial Planner at Palm Financial Services Independent Financial Adviser

My Personal Finance Skills Education Champion of the Year: Daniel Williams, **

Investment Advice Specialist of the Year: Andrew Day, Chartered Financial Planner and the founder of Depledge Strategic Wealth Management Ltd

Retirement & Later Life Advice Specialist of the Year: Ailsa Thomas, Chartered Financial Planner and Director of Springfield Financial Services

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion: Allard Whiteley Associates

Mark Hutchinson, Membership Director of the Personal Finance Society, said: “The Personal Finance Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding individuals and firms who strive to deliver exceptional consumer outcomes within the financial planning profession.

“The Personal Finance Society is proud to shine the Birmingham NEC’s spotlight on those who have excelled in meeting their clients’ needs, committed to continuous improvement, and gone above and beyond to raise public trust in the financial planning profession.”

Notes to editors

Shortlisted entrants were invited to complete a hypothetical case study related to their specialism.

All case studies were independently authored and judged by technical specialists, Technical Connection.

The shortlisted entrants for Chartered Financial Planning Firm of the Year and Chartered Financial Planner of the Year were also interviewed by judges Sarah Lord, past President of the Personal Finance Society, Melissa Collett, Professional Standards Director of the Chartered Insurance Institute, Emma Ann Hughes, former Communications Director of the Personal Finance Society, and Mark Hutchinson, Membership Director of the Personal Finance Society.

ENDS