Judges say they were “hugely impressed” by Cooper Parry Wealth’s development of values and culture after the firm was presented with one of the IFP’s top awards as Accredited Firm of the Year.
The firm, based in the Midlands, was the winner of “Recognising Excellence”, the IFP award to recognise the Accredited Firm of the Year.
All firms who have been accredited by the IFP were eligible to enter. Finalists invited to interview this year were Carbon Financial, AAB, Acumen Financial Planning and Cooper Parry Wealth.
The award, sponsored by ETF Securities, recognises the impact that the firm has made on the Financial Planning Profession over the previous 12 months, as well as assessing business performance, with both factors being equally weighted. Impact is judged by looking at one or more of the following criteria: contribution to the Financial Planning profession, innovation, and service excellence.
Outgoing chief executive Steve Gazzard CFPCM said: “Cooper Parry have continued to innovate and develop their business since winning the David Norton Building Excellence Award three years ago.
“All applicants showed that they deliver great client service, had made significant contributions to best practice and were delivering real value for shareholders. The judges were hugely impressed with Cooper Parry’s development of values and culture including elements such as office environment, people development, email curfews, staff happiness surveys and unlimited holidays.
“All of this resulted in a particularly great client experience, reflected in a very high net promoter score. With three of the four finalists based not only in Scotland but in Aberdeen, this is clearly an area leading the way in standards of Financial Planning excellence.”
Brett Davidson from FP Advance, one of the judges, said: “This year’s award saw some of the most exciting entries and one of the closest and toughest judging decisions on record.
"Just what you want when you are trying to find a deserving winner of what I believe is the premier award to win in UK financial services. It’s testament to the progress we’re making as a profession. Congratulations to Steve and the team at Cooper Parry.”
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Firms were required to submit their written application of up to 2,500 words setting out what the firm has done within the previous 12 months and summarising the case for why they should win. Applications were reviewed by the judging panel and shortlisted firms were interviewed by the panel in September. The judges were:
• Rebecca Taylor FIFP, CFPCM, of Aurea Financial Planning and Outgoing President of IFP
• Steve Gazzard CFPCM, outgoing CEO of IFP
• Janet Walford OBE, Former editor of Money Management and IFP Board Director
• Brett Davidson, CEO of FP Advance
