The Personal Finance Society, the professional body for Chartered Financial Planners and other industry professionals, today named Katherine Parkes of Cazenove Capital as Chartered Financial Planner of the Year.
The wealth planning director's award was one of eight presented at lunchtime today in an awards ceremony in the City of London.
The awards were hosted by Carla Brown, chair of the PFS board and immediate past President of the PFS, and Kate Gannon, current PFS President, at the Landing Forty Two skyscraper in the City London.
The PFS says the awards recognise advisers and firms raising professional standards.
Among the other award winners this year were de Mellow & Co, who won Chartered Financial Planning Firm of the Year, and Katie Tang of The Private Office, who won Paraplanner of the Year.
There was a special award for Consumer Trust Impact for TV’s MoneySaving Expert Martin Lewis for his work on the Martin Lewis Money Show Live.
Mr Lewis said: “I think the work that Financial Planners do across the country is incredibly important. There aren't enough of them for many ordinary people to be able to access because of the way that our financial laws have worked, that have priced out advice above many people.
“I’m glad to do my bit on the guidance side, to try and help empower people to improve their finances. Thank you so much to everybody at the society for this.”
The Personal Finance Awards 2026/27 winners:
• Chartered Financial Planner of the Year: Katherine Parkes, Cazenove Capital
• Chartered Financial Planning Firm of the Year: de Mellow & Co
• Paraplanner of the Year: Katie Tang, The Private Office
• Retirement & Later Life Specialist of the Year: Zoe Taylor, Lawrence Neil Wealth Management Ltd
• Investment Advice Specialist of the Year: Amy Dobbs, HSBC
• Protection Advice Specialist of the Year: Guy Skinner, Citygate Financial Planning
• Champion of Change: Tim Brienza, Montpellier Asset Management
• Consumer Trust Impact: Martin Lewis, The Martin Lewis Money Show Live
The awards were presented before an audience of industry professionals, family and friends, distinguished media representatives and the PFS’s New Generation programme.
The PFS says the awards, now in their 18th edition, are an "essential component" of the society’s commitment to raising professional standards, strengthening public trust and supporting better outcomes for consumers.
Kate Gannon, President of the PFS, said: “I would like to congratulate all our winners and nominees, each of whom demonstrated the expertise and integrity that underpins a trusted financial planning professional. These awards highlight the standards consumers should expect, and the positive impact our profession can have on people’s lives.”