The CII awards Chartered status to firms who have made a public commitment to align themselves with the ethics and values of the CII. The CII says these values include putting clients’ interests first, investing in ongoing development of their people’s technical skills and knowledge, plus supporting wider initiatives that benefit society as well as the growth of the profession.

The Chartered status award comes less than a week after the firm said it returned its first profit in five years in its final results for the year ended 31 March. 

Profit before tax was £1m, in comparison to a £3.3m loss the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA was £3m, a big jump from the £0.9m loss recorded in 2020.

Revenue for the wealth management group increased 37% to £29.6m (2020: £21.6m).

Group assets under management increased 40% to £2.1bn (2020: £1.5bn). Of these assets, £1.6bn are from the wealth management division.

Stephen Ford, executive director and head of wealth management at WH Ireland, said: “To have achieved Chartered status is a testament to our Independent Financial Planners, who are committed to providing the highest professional standards of advice at all times. I am proud that we have met Chartered standard, and as a firm, we look forward to wearing the Chartered badge with pride.”