The founder of Acumen Financial Planning has described the “huge honour” of being named Accredited Financial Planning Firm of the Year.

The Aberdeen business scooped the prize at the CISI Financial Planning Conference in Wales this week. It is the first Scottish firm to win the prestigious award.

Sandy Robertson CFPTM Chartered FCSI, managing director and founder, said: “To be acknowledged for our work with such a respected award is a huge honour.”

He expects his firm’s Financial Planners to be even busier in coming times, due to the circumstances in nearby industries.

He said: “Despite challenges to the local market from the current downturn in the oil and gas price there remains a clear need for qualified and innovative Financial Planning services – indeed perhaps even more so.”

The team was ‘delighted’ with this week’s recognition – something Mr Robertson said “reflects our team’s hard work and dedication in delivering exemplary Financial Planning. We pride ourselves on being the architects of financial promise”.

He said: “We are leaders, not followers in our profession and provide the highest calibre of counsel to companies, business owners and private individuals alike.

“We have one of the most highly qualified and able teams of financial planners and I thank my colleagues for their continued dedication and professionalism.”

His firm was commended for its strong impact on the financial planning profession over the last 12 months.

Along with some of the leading firms in the UK Acumen Financial Planning was judged on its business performance, innovation and service excellence.

Mr Robertson said that innovation is at the heart of Acumen Financial Planning’s culture. The company has designed planning tools and processes to ensure clients receive a “crystal clear view on the financial direction in which they are headed”.
Established in 2002, Acumen employs 34 staff with offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Elgin and Peterhead.

Mr Robertson picked up the award from television presenter Charlotte Hawkins, who hosted the gala evening.

The judging panel consisted of CISI Board Director Rebecca Taylor, former editor of Money Management and IFP professional forum member, Janet Walford OBE, Campbell Edgar, Head of Financial Planning at CISI, and Head of External Accreditation, Sam Rees-Adams.