A WORCESTERSHIRE-based financial firm that has already won a clutch of awards this year has been awarded two more in its industry.

Chartered Financial Planning firm McCarthy Taylor Ltd won the Incisive Media Gold Standard for Independent Financial Advice for the second year running and also took the award for Wealth Management.

Director and chartered financial planner Philip Haden, who accepted the awards at a ceremony held at the House of Commons, said: “We are delighted to win not one but two of these highly coveted and respected awards.

“We have once again come out on top. These awards are affirmation of what we knew - that our staff are more than meeting the requirements of the evolution in financial services.”

The awards take into account standards of service, financial strength, capability to conduct business and fair value and trust. This year also saw an increased focus on areas of governance and social responsibility.

Deborah Benn, chairman of the awards judging panel, said: “McCarthy Taylor has an extremely positive and forward-thinking approach to wealth management and financial planning.

“You get the sense they enjoy what they do and that feeds through to the quality of service on offer. The firm has a clear sense of how things should be done and displays a clarity of offering and care toward client understanding.

“There are robust and efficient processes in place, as well as the skill sets to deal with the evolution of clients' needs.

“We are at a crossroads in the UK in terms of how financial services will look in the future. Groups like McCarthy Taylor achieving the Gold Standard level bears testament to how far down the road they are in successfully embracing the monumental changes they face, going above and beyond standard procedures in order to meet high levels of excellence.”

Awards won earlier in the year by McCarthy Taylor included Financial Adviser Small Life and Pension Adviser Award, Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts Awards Retirement Adviser of the Year and West Midlands Insurance Institutes Award as Financial Planning Company of the Year.

McCarthy Taylor has offices in Evesham and Worcester, with clients across the UK.