This is the second time these awards have been held. They seek to highlight and reward innovative practice in the advisory profession. The winners have shown they are capable of adapting to the new and daunting world that the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) will herald.
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USE OF PLATFORM TECHNOLOGY
Platform technology has become an essential tool in the adviser's toolbox in recent years. With transparency of process a key element of the Retail Distribution Review, advisers who are able to harness technology to meet regulatory requirements will be best placed to adapt. The judges felt a number of the submissions showed good use of platform technology, but only one firm showed a truly innovative approach
Winner
The winner clearly embraced technology to drive its business forward. The firm allowed its partners to make use of its system for their own websites, and help them support their training and development. It also used its platform to keep track of its advisers and stay ahead regulatory developments. The winner is Positive Solutions.
BEST PARAPLANNER
The paraplanner role is evolving - and one that sums up what the New Breed Adviser Awards are all about. It requires a keen eye for process - making use of the best resources available in the market - while also maintaining solid client relationships. Claire Menni of Independent Financial Strategists was the panel's runner up, following her qualifications after just one and a half years of being in the business
Winner
But the clear winner was chosen for their attention to detail, setting protocol for administration and client service. In addition, her work with property managers in Poland and hedge fund managers has set her aside in the investment return space. She's also showed evidence of being an excellent communicator with clients. The winner is Paula Deary of Equilibrium Asset Management.
BEST PARAPLANNER TEAM
Winner
Again, there was a clear winner in this category. The judges admired the qualification of the firm's staff and the HR work done to identify the aspirations of the team. Also noted was the team's dedication to client servicing and detailed work on technology. The winner is Bluefin Wealth Management.
BEST FINANCIAL PLANNER
This was a particularly well contested category, and the judges were impressed by a number of the submissions who showed resilience in testing times. The judges wished to commend Sarah Lord of The Wealth Consultancy, who is somebody relatively new to the financial planning practice and is clearly making waves. She has made a strong commitment through getting her CFP financial services qualifications and was felt to be a force for the future. But runner up went to William Pratt of Paradigm Norton Financial Planning. A very good submission showed he was dedicated and had done a lot of work in putting forward structures and processes for his firm and his clients
Winner
However, the winner is someone who has worked for many years in financial planning, running her own very successful financial planning business and then selling it on to Bluefin. She has since worked with Bluefin, promoting financial planning generally. It was a very good submission, which demonstrated her ability to advise and plan for her clients' wellbeing. The award goes to Marlene Shalton of Bluefin Wealth Management.
BEST PENSIONS, RETIREMENT AND POST-RETIREMENT PLANNER
The judges were generally disappointed with the submissions to this category as many had not followed the brief. The judges felt there were probably a number of very good advisers and planners in this category, but this did not come across in their entries as they had not adhered to the submission criteria.
Winner
The winner of this category showed the work his team was doing in transitioning clients across to a very clear process of meeting their objectives and attitudes to risk. Judges noted a very disciplined review system, which seemed to lead to a good team approach. Congratulations to Mike Deverell of Equilibrium Asset Management.
BEST INVESTMENT ADVISER
Following a tumultuous year in the markets, this is a role that relies on understanding the client's needs and being able to guide them along a rocky path. The runner up set out a really interesting process of dealing with clients. He outlined how he used various assets to construct and develop goal-based portfolios. Well done to Stuart Fowler of No Monkey Business.
Winner
The winner was able to demonstrated the good work with clients and is on his way to CFA accreditation. He did a great job of showing the results and achievements over a difficult couple of years. The winner is David Livingston of Thurleigh Investment Managers.
