Member Article

Financial firm achieves chartered status

A leading North East firm has become one of only 10% of UK finance companies to achieve the industry’s gold standard of Chartered status.

Active Financial Services were approved as Corporate Chartered Financial Planners by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), the profession’s leading worldwide body.

Seen as the ultimate symbol of professionalism within the industry, Chartered status is an exclusive title awarded only to firms that meet rigorous criteria relating to professionalism and capability.

As Chartered Financial Planners, Active have committed to the CII’s Code of Ethics, reinforcing the highest standards of professional practice in their business dealings.

The Teesside company, based in Thornaby, has boasted two individual Chartered financial planners since last year when advisor Alastair Thornton joined director Paul Gibson.

Paul said: “Achieving Chartered status is a great achievement because it means Active are now recognised as being among the elite within our industry.

“We now intend to stay one step ahead of our rivals by maintaining the exceptional levels of professionalism Chartered status demands.”

Specialising in high net worth investment planning and long-term care planning, Paul took a number of specialist exams over a nine-year period to achieve Chartered status.

He said: “It was extremely tough. It has taken a lot of hard work and many years of study, often sacrificing my family life, but I have always aspired to be the very best calibre within my industry.

“As with solicitors and accountants in their professions, chartered status is the ultimate qualification that financial advisors aspire to. Fortunately, I love my work and find it very satisfying to help my clients achieve their goals with the help of my financial advice and planning.”

After 17 years with RBS in Manchester, Yorkshire and the North-East, Alastair joined Active in 2012 when the bank discontinued its independent financial advice service.

“Active were a natural fit with me because I like the way they work,” said Alastair, who also achieved Chartered status four years ago.

“Active’s compliance, culture and ethics are first class, whilst as a team we have a broad skillset that means we’re always ahead of the game with our technical knowledge.”

Having recruited six new staff in the past two years and doubled in size since 2008, despite the difficult economic conditions, Active believe they can continue their expansion over the next five years.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .