Old Mill’s Duncan Parkes is named Chartered Financial Planner of the Year

Duncan Parkes, associate director at West Country accountants and financial planners Old Mill, has beaten off stiff competition to win his industry’s top accolade – Chartered Financial Planner of the Year.

Now in its third year, the award honours the individual who has “demonstrated exceptional ability and commitment to the advancement of the financial planning profession.”

Duncan, who lives in Exmouth with his wife, four year-old-son and one-year-old twin girls, said: “The award is an unexpected honour and I’m thrilled to receive it.

“I am passionate about working towards higher standards in the industry and have always been an active champion for increased professionalism in financial services, so it makes me proud to think that my thoughts and views are held in such regard.”

Duncan, who has worked out of Old Mill’s Exeter office (other offices are in Yeovil, Shepton Mallet, Melksham and Dorchester) for four years, was presented with the award by Russell Facer, Compliance Director at award sponsor threesixty, at the annual Personal Finance Society (PFS) conference at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham last week.

Fay Goddard, CEO of the PFS, stated, “The Chartered Financial Planner title is hotly contested and recognises the best in the field. With a membership of over 29,000, this year’s recipient has excelled in an incredibly competitive environment.

“It’s a testament to the strength of Duncan’s work that he was judged the winner. Duncan was selected as an outstanding example of a true professional in the realm of financial planning for providing a quality service to clients and the public. I would like to personally congratulate him on a worthy achievement.”

Simon Cole, partner at Old Mill said: “We are really proud of Duncan and his achievements. This is a very prestigious award and once again shows the quality of staff in Old Mill.

He continued, “We are committed to providing clients with the best possible service, so we ensure our financial planners are trained to the highest possible standards.

“A very high proportion of our staff are Chartered Financial Planners – widely regarded as the gold standard of the financial planning profession – and the business has Corporate Chartered Financial Planners status. In an industry where the usual standard for advisors is a Diploma, Old Mill goes above and beyond and continues to stay ahead of the game.”

For more information please contact Alan Stone on 01749 335007.