In the opulent surroundings of the Natural History Museum, the industry turned out in force on 21 November to find out who had won the illustrious four and five-star awards, as voted for by thousands of financial advisers up and down the country.
Irish comedian Patrick Kielty presided over a lively and often raucous awards ceremony, which saw Axa Wealth named as company of the year and Scottish Life collecting the outstanding achievement prize.
Both providers also enjoyed victory in other categories, with Axa Wealth companies picking up seven awards and Scottish Life bagging one more trophy for outstanding service in the life and pensions category.
The three companies recognised for best service were Dentons (life and pensions), Pink Home Loans (mortgages) and Parmenion Capital Partners (investments).
Five-star awards for life and pensions were handed out to Legal & General, Exeter Family Friendly, Ageas, LV=, MGM Advantage, Just Retirement, MetLife and more.
Aldermore, Natwest Intermediary Solutions and Nationwide Building Society were among the mortgage lenders who won five-star awards, while winners in the investment category included Canada Life, Vanguard, Nucleus and Prudential.
Guests were treated to a delicious three-course meal and a spectacular performance from aerial silk acrobats, as well as an unexpected lightshow courtesy of flashing wristbands handed out to the audience earlier in the evening.
Other highlights included Mr Kielty’s uncompromising brand of comedy, which delighted and shocked the audience in equal measure and a post-ceremony band who entertained revellers as they danced into the wee hours.