Financial Planners and others from the financial sector were honoured at the PFS Awards last night. 

Comedian Jo Caulfield hosted the event at professional body’s conference, which took place this year at The International Conference Centre, in Birmingham.
 
VWM Wealth Ltd was chosen to pick up the Chartered Firm of the Year due to the way it “engages with charities, seeks feedback from clients to shape what if offers and works closely with universities to attract the next generation of financial advisers”.
 
Lisa Johnstone, managing director and Chartered Financial Planner at VWM Wealth Ltd, said: “Our firm is about constant learning and improvement.

“We want to share what works for us and want them to share their experiences.

“We are pleased to win this award, which recognises how we strive for excellence.”

Picking up the award for Chartered Financial Planner of the Year was Gemma Siddle, director of Eldon Financial Planning.
 

Ms Siddle impressed judges by explaining how she ditched plans to enter the legal profession to take up a job that meant she could “truly change people’s lives – Financial Planning”.
 
The PFS also issued two lifetime achievement awards, both of which were given posthumously; to Caroline Mitchell of the Financial Ombudsmen Service and to Linda Woodall of the FCA.
 
The full list of winners were:

• Chartered Financial Planner of the Year: Gemma Siddle, Eldon Financial Planning  

• Chartered Financial Planning Firm of the Year: VWM Wealth

• Paraplanner of the Year: Lucy Talbot, Harrison Beale & Owen

• Mortgage & Protection Specialist of the year: Darren Pike, Clear Cut Financial Planners

• Investment Specialist of the Year: Richard Jones, Oundle Wealth Management 

• Moneyplanner of the Year award 2019: Andrew Grassick

• Retirement & Later Life Specialist of the Year: Anne McClean, Smith & Williamson

 
Keith Richards, chief executive of the Personal Finance Society, said: “The Personal Finance Society Media Awards celebrate excellence in the Financial Planning profession.
 
“Financial Planning can transform people’s lives for the better and I congratulate all those who picked up a trophy for their outstanding achievements.”

• Editor's Note: The MoneyPlanner award was omitted from the original story. This has now been added. Apologies to Andrew Grassick and congrats to all the winners.