Why do we enter awards?
Entering award competitions helps us evolve as an organisation.
In order to win these awards, we have to demonstrate what we do well to the judges. We often have to prepare complex case studies with comprehensive examples of the solutions and guidance we’ve provided. This helps us illustrate the proficiency of our financial planning and our technical knowledge.
The process of entering an award is a useful way for us to assess our business. It makes us take a look through the eyes of a judge, and think about what we do. It also encourages us to look for ways we could improve, meaning we are constantly engaged in a cycle of reflection and improvement.
We’re always very proud just to be shortlisted, particularly when we are often competing on a national stage against significantly larger financial organisations. To be crowned the winner is very humbling and a testament to all the hard work the Berry & Oak team put in to look after our clients.
CISI Accredited Financial Planning Firm™ of the Year
WINNER 2022, 2019
We are delighted to have won this annual award twice, in 2019 and 2022. It recognises the firm that has made the strongest impact on the financial planning profession over the previous 12 months. Accredited Financial Planning Firms™ represent the leaders in the UK financial planning profession, making this a particularly prestigious title to win.
Professional Adviser Awards – Adviser Firm of the Year – Overall
WINNER 2024, 2020
We are delighted to have been awarded Adviser Firm of the Year. This category was narrowed down to 36 finalists from around the UK, across six regions. Winning such a prestigious national award was only possible because of our amazing team, who made us the business that we are today. We were delighted to retain the title in 2024, having also won in 2020.
Professional Adviser Awards – Professional Adviser Firm of the Year – North East
WINNER 2024, 2020, 2019, FINALISTS 2023, 2022, 2021
This award seeks to recognise and award “outstanding financial advice processes” through the completion of a complex case study, along with a detailed submission, explaining how, as a firm, we assess and manage risk in our business, for both ourselves and our clients. We were delighted to retain the title in 2024, having also won in 2020 and 2019.
Professional Adviser Awards – Best Client Engagement (Advisers)
WINNER 2024, 2023, 2020, HIGHLY COMMENDED 2022, 2019
This award was judged by an expert panel who reviewed and assessed our newsletters, website blogs, presentations and social media, as well as documents we use face to face with our clients in meetings and the client seminar events that we have run. Their judgement was that we go the extra mile when it comes to communicating effectively with our clients. We were delighted to retain the title in 2024, having also won in 2023 and 2020.
New Model Adviser Firm of the North Award
WINNER 2024 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, FINALISTS 2018, 2017
This annual award celebrates the best professional financial planning firms across the UK. It is judged on a number of factors, including staff qualifications, investment proposition, good use of technology, willingness to share best practice and to educate clients, as well as investing in the next generation of talent. We have won this award for four consecutive years, which is a testament to the excellent work our team does on behalf of our clients.
Click here to read more.
New Model Adviser Top 100
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018
We have made the New Model Adviser Top 100 UK adviser list for six consecutive years, in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018. This award highlights outstanding achievements and prominent leaders in the UK financial planning profession and we are extremely pleased to have been recognised.
Yorkshire Financial Awards – Financial Adviser Team of the Year
WINNER 2023, 2022
We are thrilled to have been recognised as the Financial Adviser Team of the Year at the Yorkshire Financial Awards 2023. These awards celebrate the very best financial services firms, talent, teams and providers that Yorkshire has to offer, so we’re delighted to have been awarded this accolade and for our outstanding team to be recognised.
Yorkshire Financial Awards – Financial Adviser of the Year (Andrew Elson)
WINNER 2023, 2022
It’s fantastic when our advisers are awarded for their hard work, so we’re delighted that Andrew won Financial Adviser of the Year at the Yorkshire Financial Awards 2023. Described as a “sought-after financial adviser, highly regarded by clients and respected by peers”, there’s no better mark of trust and excellence.
Yorkshire Financial Awards – Outstanding Achievement (Sarah Elson)
WINNER 2023
We are very proud that Sarah has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award for 2023. The judges said that her contribution was highly impressive, as is her ongoing commitment to educating young people about money and personal finance.
Women in Finance Awards – Financial Adviser of the Year - North East (Sarah Elson)
WINNER 2022
This Women in Finance Award celebrates the achievements of women working within the financial advice community and also the financial services sectors. These awards are about celebrating and recognising the achievements of women in a sector where they continue to be underrepresented. Having also been awarded highly commended for the same accolade in 2021, we’re thrilled about this well-deserved win for Sarah.
Yorkshire Financial Awards – Director of the Year (Sarah Elson)
WINNER 2022
We are very proud that Sarah has been awarded Director of the Year 2022. Describing Sarah as “an education champion and a clear choice for this award” demonstrates her commitment to upskilling the future financial services workforce.
Professional Adviser Awards – Tax-Efficient Adviser of the Year
WINNER 2021
This was an important award for us to win as it was the first time we entered this category. To be crowned a national award winner demonstrates our breadth of tax planning knowledge and experience and, as noted by the judges, we make the most of that knowledge to benefit our clients.
Read more here.
Yorkshire Financial Awards – Best Employer
WINNER 2019
We are delighted to have won this award. It recognises the development and support we give our team members while involving them in the running and growing of our business. We were also finalists in two other categories: Best Adviser Team and Best Client Engagement. You can view the Yorkshire Financial Awards video here.
Retirement Planner Awards – Best Individual Pensions Advice Firm of the Year – The North and Scotland
WINNER 2019, FINALIST 2018
We are very proud to have been recognised as one of the best pensions advisers in the region. The judges, who included the CEO of the Personal Finance Society and both current chairs of the Society of Later Life Advisers, based their decision on “qualifications, commitment to their clients, and the company’s expert pension advice”.
Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts Awards – Retirement Adviser of the Year
HIGHLY COMMENDED 2018
We are delighted to be “Highly Commended” in the 2018 Moneyfacts Retirement Adviser of the Year Award. The award follows a rigorous selection process, including a written submission from us and feedback from our clients.
Ready to talk?
If you want to know more about getting the most out of your finances for your retirement, investing or estate planning, please get in touch. You can send us an email or use the direct message box at the bottom of this page. Or call us and we can chat through your needs and, if you are ready, make an appointment to better understand how we can help.
