Cheshire-based Financial Planning firm Clarion Wealth Planning is to become 'carbon neutral' by the autumn.

The firm had previously been aiming for carbon neutral status by next April but accelerated its plans under a new best workplace initiative.

The Financial Planning firm, based in Alderley Edge, is working with Carbon Neutral Britain.

Carbon Neutral Britain is an organisation which helps businesses and individuals offset their environmental footprint and achieve carbon neutral status by investing in renewable energy, tree planting and other green schemes.

Clarion has also introduced a car leasing salary sacrifice scheme to make electric vehicle ownership more cost effective for staff.

The Chartered Planner firm also plants 10 trees for every new client gained.

Ron Walker, founder of Clarion Wealth Planning, said: “We are committed to creating better lives for our clients, colleagues and our community. It’s at the very core of our values.

“As part of this, we recently launched our Best Service, Best Workplace, Best World programme, and our goal of becoming carbon neutral by the autumn forms part of this.

“We felt it necessary to stand up and be counted and accelerate our strategy to reduce our carbon footprint. Every step taken to tackle climate change is a positive one.”

The firm has also introduced a series of new employee benefits under the initiative.

Benefits include more flexible working, private medical insurance, a doubling of matched pension contributions, free gym membership, and private Spanish and Italian lessons for employees during working hours.

Mr Walker said: “We see past the 9-5 and recognise the importance of looking after our team. We have good quality people, and we want them to enjoy a good work-life balance.

“As well as being known as the best financial planning practice, we want to be known as the best place to work.

“Our approach is key to ensuring the commitment and loyalty of the people who are here, and helps us to attract recruits of the highest quality.”

The new initiative also includes charity work.

The Chartered Planner firm supports the Clarion Welsby Family Foundation charity, which donates to worthy local and national causes and community projects.

Chartered Financial Planner Ella Davies has also become a mentor to teenage girls on a programme organised by the charity Girls Out Loud.