Skip to main content
Personal Finance Professional – setting standards and guiding the profession - return to the homepage Personal Finance Professional logo
  • Search
  • Visit Personal Finance Professional on Instagram
  • Personal Finance Professional on Twitter
  • Visit @PersonalFinanceSociety on Facebook
Visit the website of the Chartered Insurance Institute Logo of the Chartered Insurance Institute

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • News analysis
  • Features
  • Study room
  • Opinion
  • PFS Radio
  • Digital magazine
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Personal Finance Professional Issues
  • WINTER 2020
Features
Advice process

Celebrating excellence

Share on
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print
Open-access content Tuesday 1st December 2020
Authors
Liz Booth
web_p12-13_shutterstock_528947455.png

Liz Booth explores how the efforts of financial advisers and journalists to improve financial resilience during these challenging times have been celebrated

Covid-19 meant this year’s Personal Finance Awards were virtual but the event was as entertaining as always and shone a light on the amazing things being achieved by members of our profession.

Speaking at the virtual awards ceremony, PFS president Sarah Lord urged the profession to unite to increase the strength and sustainability of the financial advice profession, particularly during this tough time.

In choosing ‘building a strong and sustainable future for our profession’ as the theme for her year as president of the professional body, Ms Lord reflected on the impact the pandemic has had on the economy, the jobs market and personal lives and why now, more than ever, clients need support with managing their personal finances.

At the event, hosted by ITV presenter Stephen Mulhern, Ms Lord said: “We need to focus on how we continue to come together as a profession to thrive – not just survive – for many years to come. I am passionate about promoting financial planning as a profession to the younger generation and providing the right environment to train and develop the next generation of financial planners. 

“Our Aspire Apprenticeship programme is a great way to attract new talent and at the same time provide opportunity to school leavers who have been hit so hard by the pandemic.”

She stressed: “Sustainability isn’t just about attracting, developing and retaining talent; it is also about sustaining our relationships with our clients. One of the biggest challenges that businesses face is transitioning client relationships from planner to planner. During the course of my year as president, we will start to share more good practice on how to do this with the clients of today.

“We also need to continue to think about developing relationships and providing services to clients of the future. For many of us, the clients we have today were once our clients of the future.”

Worthy winners

Seb ElwellCelebrating this year’s crop of worthy winners, Ms Lord  named  Paradigm Norton Financial Planning as the PFS’s Chartered Firm of the Year. One of the key factors in the judges’ choice was  Paradigm Norton’s work with local  debt charities, delivery of  education workshops to schools,  and the way it adapted to the  challenges created by Covid-   19.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Paradigm Norton, which has offices in London, Torquay and Bristol, contacted all clients to find out what technology they wished to use for virtual   advice sessions and delivered webinars that were viewed by hundreds of clients.

Judges were also impressed by Paradigm Norton’s graduation scheme, the approach taken by the business to diversity and inclusion, plus the way feedback is sought from clients on the service they receive.

Barry Horner, chief executive of Paradigm Norton Financial Planning, said: “For us to win this award is fantastic, as it says we are an exemplar of a good financial planning business. 

“Culture is key at Paradigm Norton. Our four values are the heartbeat of what we do: people matter, setting the bar high, actions speak louder than words, and building for the future. We want to be a foundation stone in the building of a global financial advice profession.”

Specialist knowledge

Robin Melley Picking up the individual award for Chartered Financial Planner   of the Year was Robin Melley of Matrix Capital.

 Mr Melley impressed the judges with his specialist knowledge,   engagement with pro bono initiatives and drive to deliver   excellent outcomes for his clients.

 Keith Richards, chief executive of the PFS, said: “The Personal   Finance Awards celebrate excellence in the financial planning   profession.

“Financial planning can transform people’s lives for the better and I congratulate the businesses and individuals who won an award for their outstanding achievements and excellent work during these challenging times.”

Watch the Personal Finance Awards by clicking here: pfsawards.org/awards-ceremony
 
Liz Booth is contributing editor of the PFP

Image Credit: Shutterstock

This year's winners

  • Chartered Financial Planner of the Year – Robin Melley, Matrix Capital
  • Chartered Financial Planning Firm of the Year – Paradigm Norton Financial Planning
  • Paraplanner of the Year – Jenni Currell, Lockhart Capital Management
  • Mortgage and Protection Specialist of the Year – Rousseau Khan, PLZ – Finance & Mortgage Management Company
  • Investment Specialist of the Year – Simon Watts, Boolers
  • Retirement and Later Life Specialist of the Year – Sebastian Elwell, Switchfoot Wealth
PFP_Winter2020.jpg
This article appeared in our WINTER 2020 issue of Personal Finance Professional.
Click here to view this issue
Also filed in
Features
Advice process

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

BECOME A MEMBER

BECOME A MEMBER

SUBSCRIBE TO PRINT

SUBSCRIBE TO PRINT
PFP
​
FOLLOW US
Twitter
LinkedIn
Youtube
CONTACT US
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7880 6200
Email
Advertise with us
​

About the PFS

About us
Membership
Qualifications
Events

PFP magazine

Digital magazine
Podcasts
Blog
News

General Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Write for PFP Magazine
Want to receive PFP Magazine
Not a member but interested in knowing more? Click here.

© 2023 • PFP Magazine is published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ