A Certified Financial Planner says he has “completed the circle” after adding Chartered Wealth Manager to his list of titles.

Martin Bamford, managing director of Informed Choice in Surrey, is among the first IFP members to become Chartered Wealth Manager since the merger with the CISI.

CFP professionals have become eligible to apply for the CISI’s Chartered Wealth Manager title following the amalgamation of the two professional bodies.

Mr Bamford told Financial Planning Today: “I’m really pleased to have been awarded the Chartered Wealth Management title, which reflects a really important part of what we do as Financial Planners.

“When combined with the CFP title, Chartered Wealth Manager completes the circle, as effective Financial Planning requires investment management to bring it to life.

“There is a certain kudos associated with a Chartered title, especially when working with other professional advisers. I plan to put it to very good use in promoting the value of what we do and the high standards we hold for Financial Planning and investment management here at Informed Choice.”

Mr Bamford is also a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

Richard Wastcoat, a CISI Independent director, told the IFP Conference in October that the combination of the Chartered Wealth Manager designation and CFP certification was a “very powerful combination”.

An announcement from Informed Choice read: “By achieving the Chartered Wealth Manager, Chartered Financial Planner and Certified Financial Planner qualifications, our Financial Planners ensure they are fully equipped to work with our clients and provide suitable advice on often technically complex matters.

“These professional qualifications also ensure that our people sign up to stringent continuing professional development commitments with the different professional bodies, as well as agreeing to abide by a code of ethics and conduct.

“Since the Retail Distribution Review introduced a minimum Level 4 professional qualification standard for financial advisers at the end of 2012, we are very proud that all of our Financial Planners have achieved the tougher Level 6 standards with Chartered and/or Certified qualifications.”