The first ever CFPCM professional of the year was announced at the IFP annual conference gala last night.

Keri Carter CFPCM, of Broadway Financial Planning, has scooped the new award, supported by Seven Investment Management.

Lucy Courtenay, chief executive of FPSB UK, said Ms Carter was a "worthy winner" and commended her for coming top of a strong field of candidates.

She was shortlisted as a finalist along with Patrick Luong CFPCM of Accredited Financial Planning Firm The Red House.

They completed an online test and submitted an actual client plan.

Then, at interview they summarised their plan and talked about how they prepared it.

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The judges also asked about their approach to Financial Planning and how they felt they provided value to their clients.

Ms Courtenay said: "Both finalists presented well, were clearly very strong technically and passionate about the benefits of Financial Planning.

"However, Keri's greater experience and her vision for the future convinced the judges that she was the worthy winner."

Success at awards evenings are nothing new for Ms Carter, an ex-IFP board director, who also has to her name IFP Branch Chairman of the Year for 2005 and the IFP Tony Sellon Award for 2006.

She also spent eight years as an IFP branch chairman.

Earlier this year Mr Luong became the first candidate to pass the new Level 6 Diploma in Financial Planning.

IFP President Rebecca Taylor CFPCM, FIFP, said: "Having known Keri for some time I was determined to be fair in the judging process.

"This resulted in my being very hard on Keri much to the surprise of my fellow judges who were blown away by the professional presentation she gave in the final round of the process.

"CFP professionals really do represent the highest standard in Financial Planning and Keri certainly proved this."

The honour was handed out as part of the new style gala night, with many other winners also being awarded across a range of categories.