By Lora Benson
The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) has awarded Manchester based Smart Financial, Salisbury based Grovely Financial Limited and London based Chancery Lane Income Planners CISI Chartered Firm™ status, recognising these organisations' commitment to the highest standards of professionalism across the financial services industry.
CISI Chartered Firm™ status is a pre-eminent accreditation awarded to firms that meet rigorous professional standards. To achieve it, organisations must have a strong commitment to learning and development, including a professional development programme that aligns with the CISI's continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. The accreditation reflects a culture of expertise, ethical practice and continuing improvement, giving clients and stakeholders confidence in the quality and professionalism of the firm.
Steve Martin CFP™ Chartered FCSI (Financial Planning) Chief Executive, Smart Financial said (left): “Smart Financial is proud to have been awarded CISI Chartered Firm™ status, building on its many years as an Accredited Financial Planning Firm designation. Long recognised as a leading true financial planning firm, this Chartered status provides clear, public recognition of the standards we uphold.
“As we welcome our fifth trainee into our Planner Development Programme, this milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to developing the profession and delivering the highest standards of advice and client service.”
Ellie Price Chartered FCSI, Director and Independent Financial Adviser and Andy Price Chartered FCSI, Director and Independent Financial Adviser, at Grovely Financial Limited (right) said: “We are delighted to have achieved CISI Chartered Firm™ status. This designation is much more than a corporate accolade; it is an independent validation of the core values we live by every single day at Grovely Financial Limited.
“To us, true financial planning is about building deep, lasting relationships based on meaningful jargon-free conversations with our clients.
“Meeting the rigorous criteria set by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment ensures that our clients, be they individuals planning their retirement, families looking to the future and corporate clients and business owners we support, can have total confidence that they are partnering with a team operating at the absolute pinnacle of professional and ethical standards.
“As we celebrate this achievement, our focus remains firmly on the future: continuing to invest in our lifelong learning and delivering the principled, forward-thinking advice our clients rely on to secure what matters most to them.”
Doug Brodie CFP™ Chartered FCSI, (Financial Planning) CEO of Chancery Lane Income Planners said (left): "Achieving CISI Chartered Firm™ status reflects the high standards we set ourselves every day in our work with clients, and our continual commitment to investing in our team’s development, knowledge and expertise. At Chancery Lane, our sole focus is on helping people turn pension savings into a reliable, predictable income throughout retirement. In today's increasingly complex environment retiree clients need advice they can trust, underpinned by professionalism, integrity and technical excellence. We're proud that this recognition demonstrates further our commitment to delivering exactly that."
Kevin Moore Chartered FCSI, CISI Executive Director Membership & Business Development said: “We are delighted to recognise Smart Financial, Chancery Lane and Grovely Financial as the newest organisations to achieve CISI Chartered Firm™ status. This achievement reflects their commitment to professionalism, excellence, and delivering the highest quality advice to clients. We look forward to seeing their continued success as part of the global CISI network.”
“The achievement also highlights these firms’ commitment to maintaining recognised professional standards in an increasingly global financial services sector. As markets and opportunities continue to cross borders, CISI Chartered Firm™ status provides an independent mark of quality that supports trust, credibility, professionalism and excellence.”
Those interested in learning more about becoming a CISI Chartered Firm™ should contact charteredfirms@cisi.org