VouchedFor has named the winners of its first Client Experience Awards, with the results based entirely on client feedback gathered on its site and Elevation in 2024.
Over 90,000 consumer reviews shaped the shortlists and winners across 15 categories.
The awards were announced on 8th May at London’s Biltmore Hotel, where more than 200 advisers and providers attended.
In the client trust category, GPFM came out on top, with One Four Nine Group, the Private Office and Wealthwide highly commended.
Argentis Wealth Management won the client communication category, while Fidelius, Isio Wealth Planning and One Four Nine Group were highly commended.
Westminster Wealth Management took home the client champion award, with Dodd & Co Wealthcare, Forrester Boyd and Virtu Financial Planning recognised as highly commended.
The Private Office won client care for financial advice, supported by threesixty, while AAB Wealth, Ascot Lloyd and Azets Wealth Management were highly commended.
Meanwhile, Mortgage Advice Bureau (Mortgage Seeker Limited) secured the win for client care in mortgage advice, with 1st Mortgage Services, Just Mortgages and LIFT-Mortgages highly commended.
Wealthwide won for client care in protection advice, with LifeSearch highly commended.
Newcastle Financial Advisers won the client impact category, supported by BlackRock’s MyMap, while InterestMe, MKC Wealth and Sandringham received high commendations.
In client experience, supported by Focus Advice Technology, Smith and Wardle took the top spot, with Ernest Grant, Just Wealth and Sedulo Wealth highly commended.
Ian Butt of Prospect Tree Mortgages was named mortgage adviser of the year, with Angie Smith, Conner Mckay, David Tickner, Lucy Gulwell James and Vincent Corcoran highly commended.
Furthermore, Brett Garlick of Bury Financial Advisers won financial adviser of the year.
Christian Derrick, Mary MacFarlane, Ranjit Virk, Steven Mcknight and Tasha Pullen were highly commended.
Efinity Finance was named small mortgage advice firm of the year, with Wheeler & Walker Mortgage Solutions highly commended.
David James Wealth picked up small finance advice firm of the year, supported by Simplybiz, with IronMarket Wealth and Ryley Wealth highly commended.
LifeSearch won protection advice firm of the year.
Just Mortgages won large mortgage advice firm of the year, with Mortgage Advice Bureau (Mortgage Seeker Ltd) highly commended.
Westminster Wealth won large finance advice firm of the year, supported by Defaqto, while Ellis Bates (part of Shackleton) and Forvis Mazars were highly commended.
Alex Whitson, managing director at VouchedFor, said: “the Client Experience Awards are a deliberately different take on awards.
“The shortlist and winners are decided entirely by client feedback – with no judges.
“The inaugural ceremony brought together leaders from across the advice profession to celebrate the brilliant work that advisers do for their clients, and inspire ongoing excellence.”
Whitson added: “We’d like to thank our headline supporters, BlackRock and Fundment, for making this event possible.”
