A FINANCIAL advice firm has been crowned Moneyfacts Investment Adviser of the Year.

Strategic Solutions scooped the title at a ceremony hosted by comedian Tim Vine at the Lancaster London Hotel.

The chartered independent financial advice firm, based at Branksome Business Park in Poole, already scooped the Professional Adviser South West Adviser Firm of the Year award in February.

The award comes from Moneyfacts, the largest independent research company in the UK.

Hundreds of firms were judged on aspects including professional qualifications, commitment to clients and the company’s investment processes.

Jefferson Fawcett, chief investment officer and one of four principal partners at Strategic Solutions, said: “Our investment process is central to our proposition and the way we look after our clients and their money.

“I feel extremely proud on behalf of my investment committee that our philosophy has been recognised by the judges and we will continue to work hard to help our clients. I would like to thank all of our staff, clients and Moneyfacts for their support.”

Strategic Solutions was founded by its four partners in 2010 and was named chartered financial planners two years later – a designation held by only a few hundred firms.

The firm was shortlisted last year for the Moneyfacts award and also made it into the Citywire Top 100 national list for professional advice firms earlier this year.

It manages around £240m of clients’ pensions and investments.

Mr Fawcett said: “Recent regulatory changes in the market have resulted in many advisers abandoning the ‘man in the street’ and dealing only with high net worth individuals. Strategic made the decision not to follow that path but to ensure they were able to provide advice, help and guidance to anyone who needs it.

“This means that ‘profit’ is never the main driver. Delighted clients are.”