Wealth manager St James’s Place has announced its 2022 Chartered Award winners, with Matthew Sellens of Crown Wealth Consultants named as SJP Chartered Planner of the Year.

The awards were presented at the firm’s sixth Annual Chartered Symposium in London, the first all in-person symposium since 2020.

Mr Sellens was crowned for being, "an individual who has raised professional standards and demonstrated a commitment to their profession and to their clients within their area of expertise.”

Other major awards included:

• Sajmira Ciarns of PFP Wealth Group was awarded SJP Paraplanner of the Year

• de Mellow & Co Wealth Management won SJP Chartered Firm of the Year

• In a new category, Zoe Taylor of Lawrence Neil Wealth Management was awarded Vulnerability Champion of the Year

Mr Sellens began his career in Financial Planning in 1996 and has more than 25 years of experience in financial advice. He established Crown Wealth Consultants, an SJP Partner Practice, in 2009.

He said: “I am delighted to be named this year’s St. James's Place Chartered Planner of the Year and feel honoured to have been recognised for my commitment and service to my clients. After more than 25 years in the industry, reaching this milestone is a significant achievement and I would like to thank my dedicated team and clients for making it possible.”

A new award category this year saw Zoe Taylor of Lawrence Neil Wealth Management presented with the 2022 Vulnerability Champion awards. The award recognises an individual who has demonstrated “a passion for supporting clients with vulnerable circumstances.”

Edward Grant, SJP director responsible for professional development, said: “These awards allow us to reflect on and celebrate the high level of service our partners provide to their clients and showcases the range of talent within our partnership. All four of our winners should be proud of what they have achieved in their careers to date.

“At SJP, we are committed to the ongoing development of all our partnership. Six years on, we are delighted to be able to grow and expand our awards to showcase the breadth of expertise within the SJP Partnership, in serving clients and improving the quality of advice available in the UK at a time where the role of advisers is more important than ever.”

Over 25% of St. James’s Place Partners and advisers now hold a Chartered title awarded by one of the professional bodies, including Chartered Financial Planner, Chartered Wealth Manager, Chartered Associate and Chartered Financial Analyst.