Five minutes with… SG Wealth Management

Recognised as award-winning Chartered Financial Planners, they provide high-quality financial planning, advice and wealth management services to their individual and business clients from their offices in Norwich and Ipswich.

Grab a cuppa and read on to see how they have been living our Chartered Ethos!

How long has your firm been Chartered?

Four years.

Why is Chartered status important to your business?

As an established business of 22 years, the impartial, accountable, and trustworthy reputation on which we were founded is of the utmost importance to us. We know that Chartered Status is the ‘gold standard’ for financial services firms and is therefore an accreditation of which we are extremely proud, as it demonstrates to our clients and prospects that the advice and service we provide is of the absolute highest quality.

What initiative has the organisation been involved in which has had a social impact/corporate social responsibility focus on?

As a socially responsible company, we consciously strive to have a positive impact on society, the environment, and the economy. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy focuses on the environment, society, and compliance/business ethics. Our in-house CSR Committee share a list of proposed charities to our staff each year, giving them the opportunity to vote on the charity they would prefer to receive SGWM support.

Over the past three years, we have supported East Anglian Children’s Hospices, The Benjamin Foundation, Break and the Norfolk & Suffolk Wildlife Trusts and been involved with their many fundraising events and community outreach projects including sponsored runs, litter picks, volunteering days, charity quiz night attendances, Christmas appeal donations and much more. We have also sponsored Norwich Baroque, Norwich Theatre Royal, Ipswich Rugby Club Academy and a local landscape photographer. A full list of activities undertaken can be provided if required.

How do you ensure your employees remain at the forefront of their profession?

There is a learning culture throughout the organisation, with employees at all levels encouraged to study and take industry exams, paid for by the company, as well as internal training sessions and encouragement to attend seminars and watch webinars to enhance and learn from others within the profession. Regular one-to-ones, held with an employee’s line manager, also allows us to check in on progress with previously agreed objectives, including study and exams.

How have you implemented the CII Code of Ethics into your business?

Complying with the CII’s Code of Ethics starts with the culture and DNA of the company. Having been established in 2001 on a 100% fee-charging basis to avoid any commission bias, the company works hard to demonstrate that it is looking to put the client at the heart of everything we do. Staff are encouraged to help maintain this approach and the transparency and openness of our dealings with clients embeds the right attitudes of fairness, integrity, and high standards of service. We have published our own Core Values and Business Practices, which are shared with all staff and are closely aligned with the CII’s own Code of Ethics.

What advice would you give a firm who is considering applying to become Chartered?

In a ‘me too’ profession, demonstrating you can attain the CII’s gold standard of accreditation as Chartered and maintain it, is the best way we can see to differentiate yourselves from other firms, that may well just be paying lip service to the culture and principles needed to be demonstrated in order to earn accreditation. It sets a company apart from the majority of competitors.