Sue Richardson, a Financial Planner at Mint Wealth Management, has been awarded a scholarship to reach ISO 22222 certification as part of an exclusive deal between Standards International and the NMBA’s Best Practice Club.

The scholarship was awarded to the business who submitted the best case study documenting direction and strategy in 2011, most improved business processes and procedures, staff reward and recognition scheme and initiatives and policies for continual improvement.

Sue Richardson’s entry was selected due to the particularly impressive and pro-active plans to meet RDR requirements and recognised her unrivalled enthusiasm.

The scholarship package includes:
·         A Best Practice Toolkit, including practice management templates, guides and documents, a copy of the BS ISO 22222:2005 standard and a gap analysis checklist.
·         Attendance for two people to a one day ISO 22222 gap analysis and training workshop.
·         A full-day on site assessment to carry out the official assessment of all the documents required in the process of personal financial planning.

Sue Richardson commented: “I chose to apply for the ISO certification because I wanted my clients to associate me with providing a consistent and safe advice process.  Whilst I still look to work towards my chartered advisor status I felt that the ISO says more about how I work rather than having a high level of knowledge and qualifications.”

“Winning a scholarship to ISO 22222 has encouraged me to review my existing business structure, identifying the areas that need improving. In this ever-changing world it is easy to get caught up in your business, and not on your business; working towards the ISO certification will allow me to work on my business from the foundations up with a client's perspective in mind.  Once I have achieved the ISO I will be able to demonstrate to other professions including local authorities, solicitors and accountants that I am serious about the work I do and that my clients come first.”

Lee Travis, Head of  NMBA, commented: “It is excellent to see advisers taking the initiative to raise standards over and above the FSA requirements and using this form of internationally recognised  certification to differentiate themselves from other advisers around “best practice”.  ISO 22222 adds many tangible financial benefits to the business as well as offering the consumer a recognisable standard of quality.”