Premier Status for North East Wealth Managers

Two promising young independent financial advisers from national law firm Dickinson Dees have achieved the prestigious status of ‘Chartered Financial Planner' following the culmination of over five years' work.

Simon Patterson and Neil Burnett who both specialise in investments and pensions in the wealth management department at the firm, have achieved chartered status as financial planners which equates to a first class degree level qualification.

Introduced in 2006, the individual ‘Chartered Financial Planner' title is only held by 2,000 individuals nationally, making it the premier title for financial advice professionals and is awarded following the completion of a suite of gruelling qualifications.  Chartered Financial Planner status is helping to elevate holders of the status to the same public standing enjoyed by other Chartered professions. Following the award of this status to two advisers within the investments and pensions team at the firm, Dickinson Dees has further enhanced and distinguished its wealth management offering from other providers in the region.

David Dale, head of wealth management at Dickinson Dees commented:

"Simon and Neil's formidable achievements in attaining chartered status really sets them apart from other financial advisers in the profession. They have worked extremely hard over the years since qualifying with the firm and their accomplishment will enable our clients to call on the services of the most highly qualified professionals with confidence when looking for help with their financial planning needs."

In order to achieve the title it is necessary to hold the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and have five years' relevant industry experience. Chartered advisers must also demonstrate three years' existing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and must commit to maintain this activity.

Simon Patterson, manager in the investments and pensions team, commented:

"I am delighted to have achieved Chartered Financial Planner status, which represents the culmination of over 5  years' hard work.  Taking professional exams has been a rewarding experience which has been achieved thanks to the support from my colleagues in the investments and pensions team, drawing on their expertise to help me achieve this accolade."

Simon and Neil's achievements are not the only successes for the wealth management team at Dickinson Dees which also saw Gemma Haggan pass all four of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) exams with distinction. Gemma was awarded the Kimmer Medal, for attaining the highest exam grade in the country and will now become member of the ATT. Steven Dodds, a manager within the firm's tax team gained a distinction in his final exam towards the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Diploma which allows him to become a member of STEP. Michelle Blagden obtained an excellent exam result by being awarded a distinction in the STEP foundation exam and finally, the firm's most recent graduate recruits, Sean O'Brien, Brad Thompson and Paul Grainger, all attained the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Financial Planning Certificate.  They will each now continue with their training, by working towards the Diploma in Financial Planning.

For further information about Dickinson Dees please click here to visit their website.