Career Profile
Since joining Active Chartered Financial Planners in 2007, Andrew has made significant progress. He became a chartered fellow in 2016 and in 2023 joined the firm’s management team as associate director.
Andrew joined the firm in 2007 as an administrator with the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) apprenticeship scheme. Completing the apprenticeship in just 6 months, Andrew continued to learn and was promoted to senior administrator in 2009. The following year, he gained his first financial qualification, Certificate in Mortgage Advice (CeMap).
In 2012 Andrew moved to the paraplanning team, where he worked closely with the firm’s advisers, researching products and options for clients. During this time, he continued to study, gaining the Diploma in Financial Planning. In 2013, Andrew began work as a financial adviser, while continuing to work as a paraplanner, being promoted to paraplanning manager (and overseeing a team of 3 people) in 2015. The same year, Andrew featured in the NECC’s book of Apprentice Greats, marking their 200th anniversary.
Continuing with his study while working full time and gaining a huge amount of technical knowledge, in 2016 Andrew became a chartered fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) – the highest level of qualification awarded in our industry.
In 2018 Andrew was recognised as one of the top 35 New Generation Advisers (in the UK) 2018 by CityWire & New Model Adviser.
In 2021, Andrew completed the Masters Degree (MBA) in Business Administration at Teesside University passing with distinction. The MBA is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), so on completion Andrew was also became a chartered manager, to go alongside an already impressive array of accolades.
In 2024 Andrew completed the Society of Later Life Accreditation (SOLLA) accreditation. SOLLA is a non-profit organisation which aims to assist consumers and their families in finding trusted accredited financial advisers who understand financial needs in later life.
Also in 2024, Andrew was appointed as a trustee for Daisy Chain, which is an award winning local charity that supports autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and adults and their families.
Andrew is also very passionate about financial education and volunteers as an education officer with the Personal Finance Society (PFS) helping students to understand the importance of financial planning and the opportunities for a career in the industry. Andrew also regularly represents the firm at careers conventions and events at local schools and colleges, and has been involved with (local charity) High Tide Foundation’s finance week.
Key Services
Andrew is a chartered financial planner known for providing holistic financial planning for both individual and corporate clients.
As an associate director, Andrew is part of the firm’s management team taking part in director’s meetings and working on the overall company strategy.
Andrew is also an accredited member of the Society of Late Life Advisers (SOLLA) specialising in retirement, estate and later life planning. SOLLA advisers must go through a rigorous accreditation process and this provides peace of mind that clients will receive advice from a trusted and qualified professional specialising with later life planning requirements.
“I have worked in financial services for over 35 years so I know that finding a truly knowledgeable IFA that you can really trust is not easy. Andrew, and Active Financial Planners, totally lived up to their promises and exceeded my very high expectations. I will not hesitate to return to Andrew if I need more advice and would definitely recommend him to friends”
Qualifications
– Society of Later Life Accreditation, SOLLA – (2024)
– MBA in Business Administration – (2021)
– CMI Chartered Manager – (2021)
– Advanced Pension Transfers – (AF7)
– Advanced Financial Planning– (AF5)
– Advanced Investment Planning – (AF4)
– Advanced Pension Planning – (AF3)
– Advanced Tax & Trusts – (AF1)
– Pension Update (R08)
– Wraps & Platforms (J11)
– Discretionary Fund Management (J10)
– Trust Planning (J02)
– Financial Planning Processes (R06)
– Protection (R05)
– Pensions (R04)
– Taxation (R03)
– Investment Planning (R02)
– Regulation & Ethics (R01)
– Certificate in Equity Release (ER1)
– Certificate in Long Term Care Advice (CF8)
-CeMap – (Certificate in Mortgage Advice & Practice)
