East Anglian Financial Planning, which is based in Langham, Essex, with a satellite office in Bury St Edmunds, has added Start Up of the Year at the East Anglian Daily Times Business Awards to its many accolades.
And it’s no wonder – with members of the trusted team, which provides bespoke holistic independent financial planning to individuals, trusts and businesses, going above and beyond for its valued clients.
East Anglian Financial Planning began life two years ago when founders Andrew Johnson and Beverley Monk joined forces with independent financial advisers (IFAs) Gary Riches, Grant Buchanan, James Wright, Matt Merchant and Neil Hewitt, who are all directors, to establish a financial planning business. Kurt Walsh joined as a director and head of compliance, ensuring good client outcomes, showing their commitment to regulations and best practices.
Their aim is to help clients preserve and build their wealth through innovative investment solutions and bespoke financial planning.
The team prides itself on the ability to work with fellow professionals, solicitors, accountants and tax advisers to help deliver the best outcome for the clients.
“This ensures that our clients feel their goals and objectives are achieved by a co-ordinated and holistic approach,” said managing director Gary Riches.
Meetings take place face-to-face in the location of the client’s choice, which is often in the comfort of their own home.
“We complement our bespoke advice services with cutting-edge technology, hence our ethos, ‘Traditional values in a modern world’,” Gary added.
The whole team is committed to excellent customer service and has gone above and beyond for clients – from changing a flat tyre and fixing Wifi to delivering essential food supplies and rescuing a cat.
“Examples such as these have made our advisers highly trusted by our clients,” said Marie Rush, who works alongside Gary in marketing.
“We regularly receive recommendations – and our client feedback on service from our IFAs and the dedicated client support team is highly positive.”
These are just some of the reasons that, just two years on from being founded, East Anglian Financial Planning has received so many accolades, such as Best Emerging Bespoke Financial Firm and the East Anglia Client Service Award at the SME News Finance Awards.
The business has also secured corporate chartered status and been named one of New Model Adviser’s top 100 IFA firms in the country.
Winning the EADT Business Award felt really special, explained Gary.
“While national awards certainly have their own merits in terms of prestige and broader recognition, winning awards that are in relation to the area you work in and by the people you work alongside comes with a greater sense of pride.
“It demonstrates that we understand the specific needs and preferences of our clients and that we represent them as best we can.”
He added: “We called ourselves East Anglian Financial Planning for that very reason, because we wanted to serve our community and the people within it.
“Three of our directors attended the awards ceremony and were elated at the announcement as well as members of staff following social media updates at home.
“We felt honoured to have been nominated as finalists, and winning was the icing on the cake.”
In the future, the business may gain even more recognition – not only is the firm looking to continue to grow, but it is also aiming to make a difference to the local community.
“Primarily, we wish to explore the growth of the business organically,” said Gary.
“Looking ahead, we have plans to further our charitable efforts by establishing our own foundation.
“This foundation will allow us to have a more structured and impactful approach to philanthropy, supporting causes that align with our values and making a meaningful difference in the community of East Anglia that we serve.
“The creation of our foundation will also mark a significant milestone in our journey towards corporate social responsibility.”
This is a financial planning firm with clients, and the community, at its heart.
For more information, visit eafp.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here