unbiased.co.uk reveals the winners of the Media Awards 2015!

unbiased.co.uk, the UK’s biggest professional adviser search, announces the winners of its prestigious Media Awards.

For 11 years the awards have recognised the important contribution of professional advisers and journalists in promoting the value of professional financial advice. All of the nominated and winning media advisers are members of unbiased.co.uk’s Bluebook directory, a must-have resource for journalists looking for expert opinion, insightful commentary and thought-provoking case studies.

This year’s event saw the presentation of 13 media adviser awards and seven journalist awards, as well as the coveted Judges’ Award for outstanding contribution by a media adviser. Nominees, industry colleagues and journalists gathered in London at a drinks reception to congratulate the winners and commended entrants.

All categories were judged by a panel of industry experts and product providers, led by Karen Barrett, Chief Executive of unbiased.co.uk.

The winners and commendations in each category are:

Adviser awards

Judges’ Award

Winner: Patrick Connolly, Chase de Vere

Financial Adviser of the Year (sponsored by the AIC)

Winner: Carl Lamb, Almary Green

Commended: Alistair Cunningham, Wingate Financial Planning

Investment Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Schroders)

Winner: Jason Hollands, Tilney Bestinvest

Commended: Stephen Womack, David Williams IFA

Pension Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Royal London)

Winner: Craig Palfrey, Penguin Wealth

Commended: Christopher Daems, Principal Financial Solutions

At Retirement Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Prudential)

Winner: Carl Lamb, Almary Green

Commended: Alistair Cunningham, Wingate Financial Planning

Mortgage Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Castle Trust)

Winner: David Hollingworth, London & Country Mortgages

Commended: Alan Lakey, Highclere Financial Services

Protection Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Scottish Widows)

Winner: Alan Lakey, Highclere Financial Services

Commended: Scott Gallacher, Rowley Turton (IFA) Ltd.

Responsible Investment Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Alliance Trust Investments)

Winner: John Ditchfield, Barchester Green Investments

Commended: Jason Hollands, Tilney Bestinvest

Social Media Adviser of the Year (sponsored by AXA Wealth)

Winner: Alistair Cunningham, Wingate Financial Planning

Commended: Robin Melley, Matrix Capital

The Bluebook Newcomer (sponsored by Westfield Health)

Winner: Stephen Womack, David Williams IFA

Commended: Jonothan McColgan, Combined Financial Strategies Ltd

Young Financial Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Legal & General)

Winner: Jonothan McColgan, Combined Financial Strategies Ltd

Commended: Christopher Daems, Principal Financial Solutions

Commended: Gareth Reynolds, Reynolds Wealth Management

Value of Advice Ambassador (sponsored by Legal & General)

Winner: Scott Gallacher, Rowley Turton (IFA) Ltd.

Commended: Patrick Connolly, Chase de Vere 

Estate Planning Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Octopus Investments)

Winner: Jonothan McColgan, Combined Financial Strategies Ltd

Commended: Minesh Patel, EA Financial Solutions

Tax Planning Adviser of the Year (sponsored by TIME Investments)

Winner: Jonothan McColgan, Combined Financial Strategies Ltd

Commended: Patrick Connolly, Chase de Vere

Journalist awards

Value of Advice Article of the Year (sponsored by FundsNetwork)

Winner: Melanie Wright, writing for The Sunday Times

Commended: Harriet Meyer, writing for The Observer

Consumer Article of the Year (sponsored by NS&I)

Winner: Jeff Prestridge, The Mail on Sunday

Commended: Joanne Atkin, What Mortgage

Investment Article of the Year (sponsored by Cofunds)

Winner: Charlotte Richards, Money Management

Commended: Harry Rose, Which? Money

Pension Article of the Year (sponsored by The People’s Pension)

Winner: Esther Shaw, Sunday Express

Commended: Kevin Peachey, BBC News

Mortgage Article of the Year (sponsored by Hodge Lifetime)

Winner: Joanne Atkin, What Mortgage

Commended: Simon Read, The Independent

Protection Article of the Year

Winner: Laura Shannon, The Mail on Sunday

Commended: Emma Ann Hughes, FTAdviser

Trade Article of the Year (sponsored by Canada Life)

Winner: John Greenwood, Corporate Adviser

Commended: Sam Macdonald, for Money Marketing

Karen Barrett, Chief Executive of unbiased.co.uk, said: “For 11 years now our Media Awards have let us acknowledge and showcase the brilliant work of individual advisers and journalists, as they promote the benefits of professional advice.

“With the government’s guidance guarantee now imminent, it is more important than ever for us to continue our work in helping consumers access the financial expertise they need. We wouldn’t be able to do so without the unwavering support of our media advisers, who are there on the front line building awareness among consumers, and the journalists who bring these often tricky subjects to life for their readers.

“Although each category was closely contested, this year’s winners really have been outstanding ambassadors for the unbiased.co.uk consumer campaign. I would also like to say a big thank you to our sponsors, judges, media advisers and journalists who continue to support these awards.”

ENDS

For more information contact:

Sarah Tye/ Kate Aitchison, Lansons: 020 7294 3682

For expert commentary or case studies from over 200 media-friendly advisers, journalists should visitunbiased.co.uk Bluebook - The Media IFA Network

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About unbiased.co.uk

With over one million visitors a year, unbiased.co.uk is the UK's biggest and most versatile search for regulated and independent advisers. We enable consumers and businesses to find the best financial and legal advice from a choice of over 24,000 IFAs, financial advisers, mortgage brokers, solicitors and accountants. We also make it easier to find the right advice by providing information, insights, tools and other resources to facilitate consumer choice.

The unbiased.co.uk website launched in 1998 and rapidly became the UK’s leading adviser search. It is now the default adviser directory for websites that point users towards professional advice.

Unbiased Ltd promotes the benefits of financial and legal advice to consumers and businesses and would like to thank the following companies for their support:

Unbiased Ltd - Registered Office: 12-14 Berry St, London, EC1V 0AU.  Registered in England: No. 06775878.