VouchedFor has revealed the UK’s most well-liked IFAs, based on those with the highest number of positive reviews from clients on its website.
Taking the top spot was Anthony Villis, managing partner at London-based First Wealth, who secured the most favourable feedback to pull away from the rest of the top IFAs with positive reviews within the last two years.
Advisers had to receive at least 28 reviews of 4 stars or more to qualify for entry in the list of top 250 UK advisers. They were also required to be using VouchedFor’s paid-for service, Professional Plan.
This is a membership plan costing £45 per month, with the Lite plan allowing advisers to be contacted up to five times a quarter, and the Professional plan incurring an additional charge each time an enquirer makes contact, with no limit how many times the adviser can be contacted.
Hearing the news through FTAdviser just before leaving on holiday on Friday, Mr Villis, who works with a staff of 17 including five advisers, said he was delighted his clients had recommended him.
“Great financial planning can change your life! We exist to inspire ideas, create confidence and give you the freedom to live,” he said.
Another well-known name in the top 10 was Jeremy Askew, managing director of Town Close Financial Planning.
He commented: “It’s testament to the excellent service the team has provided. We’re looking forward to getting even better.”
Mr Askew said the company is moving to larger premises in Loughton as part of expansion plans which has seen it take on a compliance director and office manager, with a fully-qualified adviser and trainee next on the agenda.
He said: “From a back bedroom and zero clients 30 months ago, we’ve expanded to £50m under advice and four permanent, including me, one part-time staff and three contractors. Revenue is up 50 per cent in the last 12 months.”
Also in the top ten were Neil Gilbourne from 3R Financial Services; Peter Emery from Emery IFA; Philip Hanley from Philip James Financial Services; Carl Melvin from Affluent Financial Planning; Andrew Finnie from Border Finance; Alan Powell from Elite Wealth Management; Paolo Standerwick from MLP Wealth Management; and Phil O’Connor from Whitewell Financial Planning.
VouchedFor said its top 250 list heralded a new era of transparency within the financial industry, giving great advisers the chance to demonstrate their value.
The full VouchedFor list, featured in the Sunday Times yesterday (10 April), gives details of the advisers’ local area, specialisms and number of reviews for a total of 875 professionals, including 250 IFAs, 250 mortgage advisers, 200 accountants and 175 solicitors.
Adam Price, founder of VouchedFor, said: “For years prospective clients have been in the dark about the quality of a professional’s work from their clients’ perspective. With the VouchedFor guide, both consumers and advisers can discover which professionals have the happiest clients.”
