A Financial Planner has become one of just six per cent to achieve a distinction in obtaining an accreditation that affirms his company's reputation for expertise in trust and estate planning.

Carl Martin CFPCM has been named as an Affiliate Member of the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners.

It comes after the completion of STEP's certificate for financial advisers.

His distinction in the programme was a pass level attained by only six per cent of all participants.

The accreditation is awarded to leading practitioners in the field of trusts and estate planning who have gained specialist expertise in areas such as property holding, wills, succession planning, foundations and preparing family businesses for sale.

STEP's CPD manager Val Cox said: "STEP works consistently to promote industry excellence and offers the highest quality professional development to best position our students to serve the needs of their clients.

"In graduating from this course Carl has demonstrated awareness of the legal, tax and investment issues which overlap with estate planning, and as a result, will be able to advise his clients more effectively."

Mr Martin said: "The needs of family-owned businesses are often very different from those of other companies, requiring advisors to possess specialised knowledge to ensure the affairs of stakeholders inside and outside the business are managed effectively.

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"STEP is a highly regarded organisation and this endorsement will significantly add to Carpenter Rees' solid reputation in inheritance and estate planning field and position us as the region's leading specialist for family businesses and SMEs."

Carpenter Rees has an in-house team of experts focused on advising small and medium-sized companies.

The company said the accreditation was part of the firm's on-going strategy to help family-owned businesses address unique issues, such as succession planning, management buyouts and protection of family wealth.

STEP has over 19,000 members in more than 100 countries worldwide, with 25 branches in the UK.