Triple accolade success for Wrexham finance firm

A TRIO of top advisers at a Wrexham finance firm are celebrating after achieving the highest accolade there is in the industry.

Hadlow Edwards operations director Dominic Richmond along with his colleagues Ben Gittins and Gwyn Edwards, both financial planners, have been made Fellows of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

The CII is a professional body that sets the gold standard for the industry and with Hadlow Edwards celebrating a unique, triple success it demonstrates the firm’s fierce commitment to the highest possible professional standards.

The firm, which moved into the Victorian red-brick former Wrexham Lager Brewery building last year after outgrowing its former home on Regent Street, wants the achievements to inspire upcoming advisers to follow in their footsteps.

Dominic Richmond, 52, who joined Hadlow Edwards three years ago and lives in Oxton,, Wirral, said:

“We’re all very proud. It takes a bit of work and time but it’s worth the effort. It means we can have Chartered status as a Practice and individually gives us more credibility.

“Fellow is the highest accolade and it was certainly a personal goal to reach it. But I felt it would also set a good example to other financial advisers who develop their career with us.

“It’s hard losing your free time and weekends to study and if I have done all that myself, then I am in a much better position to support others striving for the same thing.

“We’ve now got two on the adviser team who are Fellows and more on the way who are likely to be Chartered this year. We expect over time, particularly with a young team coming through, that all the advisers will work towards Chartered and Fellow.”

Ben Gittins, 26, and from Wrexham, who joined Hadlow Edwards in 2014, said:

“I’m really pleased, it’s the highest accolade you can receive in our industry. As a Practice, we are keen to have a recognised standing with other professionals. 

“To gain an accolade like this is a real achievement when you’re young in the industry. We currently have three trainee advisers so to have the Fellow qualification will hopefully encourage them to aim for same thing.

“It sets a precedent as to our expectations as a practice. The fact all three of us have qualified at the same time is completely unplanned but an extremely positive move for Hadlow Edwards.”

The former Darland High School pupil added:

“In my role I advise clients on personal finance – including pension and investment planning. It’s a varied and unpredictable role, particularly when you consider that my youngest client is eight months old and the eldest is 97.

“I tend to look after family units; three or four generations of a family. That’s why the ages are so widespread – you’ll have parents planning savings for their children and see assets handed down through generations.

“It’s a career I thoroughly enjoy and my aim is carry on up the ladder. We have a succession plan here at Hadlow Edwards and with myself and Gwyn coming through alongside other colleagues, we hope to continue the success of the firm.”

Gwyn Edwards, 29, joined the Hadlow Edwards team three and a half years ago after graduating from St. James’s Place Academy and heads up the firm’s London office. He is the son of Hadlow Edwards joint founding director Medwyn Edwards.

The former Ysgol Morgan Llwyd pupil said: “I’m very proud. It’s been tough but I’ve got there now and at a relatively young age in this industry. It’s nice to get it done.

“I love the job, I feel like I’m adding value to people’s lives and making them feel more comfortable about their finances.

“It’s great meeting different people from different backgrounds who are in or who have had interesting jobs. It’s also very rewarding to help people who are vulnerable.

“It could be someone who has lost a parent or partner and they need help with finances. Knowing what to do with your money can be a minefield for somebody in that situation.

“A lot of clients want to be sensible and save for the future. They’ll tell me they’ve had this job for a few years but have nothing to show for it and want to be more sensible with their money.”

Hadlow Edwards has a 25-strong team and has recently recruited another junior financial adviser, Richard Hadlow-Powell, who is the son in law of joint founding director Warren Hadlow.

Hadlow Edwards is a representative of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, which is one of the UK’s largest wealth management organisations, and offers advice on many aspects of wealth management to both individuals and businesses.

Richard’s new role with Hadlow Edwards means he will receive first class training in wealth management at St. James’s Place Academy which provides personalised development programmes for fledgling financial advisers.

For more information about Hadlow Edwards, go to www.hadlowedwards.co.uk or call 01978 311611.