WINNERS OF PRESTIGIOUS GOLD STANDARD AWARDS ANNOUNCED

PRESS RELEASE

J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Santander Asset Management UK, Friends Life, Torquil Clark, Investment Quorum and Mazars Financial Planning were among this year's winners of the prestigious Gold Standard Awards, which were presented at a ceremony in the House of Commons on 23rd November 2011. Out of more than 60 entrants, only 20 companies achieved Gold Standard status.

Now in their nine year, the awards are dedicated to identifying firms in the financial services sector that can demonstrate a strong structure and are committed to excellent standards of service. The Gold Standard Awards are one of the toughest Awards to achieve. As well as taking into account financial strength, the awards assess areas such as trust, fair value, service as well as capability to conduct business. They are designed to identify companies that not only have strong structures and procedures in place, but are going above and beyond standard business practices to restore faith in the financial services sector generally.

The financial services landscape in the UK will change dramatically in the coming years. Not only structurally, but also morally as we witness a growing shift towards more corporate responsibility. There will be a greater emphasis and requirement for financial services companies to ensure that products and services are appropriate for the target market. Increased standards of professionalism will be at the very heart of the financial services sector in the future. The Awards recognise the efforts of those companies who are taking these changes on board.

Commenting on the Awards, chair of the judging panel, Deborah Benn, says, "The level of interest in this year's awards bears witness to the fact that there are companies out there who are working extremely hard to promote trust in financial services in the best way possible - by their actions. The level of detail offered to the judges on training, consumer eduction as well as fresh approaches to improving levels of service is stunning. It was particularly heartening to see a higher number of independent financial advisers enter this year."

Entrants to the Awards are asked to answer a rigorous series of questions formulated specifically to assess the areas of capability, trust, fair value and service and provide evidence in line with their responses. The baseline for all responses and evidence supplied is on standard requirements to conduct business. However, only those companies that can clearly demonstrate they go above and beyond standard requirements are considered for a Gold Standard Award. The awards, hosted by Incisive Media, are judged by a panel whose members have expertise in one or more of the disciplines being judged. This year's panel members include Nick Baker, managing director, Bakehouse communications, Danby Bloch, managing director, Taxbriefs Financial Publishing, Chris Gilchrist, editor, The IRS Report, Mike Richards, chairman, Capital City Media, Lawrence Gosling, group editorial director, Incisive Media, Helen Morrissey, editor, Retirement Planner, Paul Robertson, editor, Cover, Chris Harvey, marketeer, PR and executive coach, Clive Waller, managing director, CWC Research, Peter Le Beau, industry commentator. AKG Actuaries and Consultants conducted analysis of financial strength.

* * WINNERS 2011 * *

Gold Standard for Fund Management

Santander Asset Management UK
Neptune Investment Management
M&G
J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Blackrock

Gold Standard for Discretionary Portfolio Management

Brooks Macdonald Asset Management

Gold Standard for Group Pensions

Scottish Life
Friends Life

Gold Standard for Individual Pensions

Scottish Life
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Gold Standard for Protection

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Friends Life
Zurich

Gold Standard for Insurance

Ageas UK (Ageas UK, parent company of RIAS, Ageas Insurance Limited, Ageas Insurance Solutions and Kwik-Fit Financial Services)

Gold Standard for Independent Financial Advice

Churchhouse Financial Planning Limited
Braemar Wealth Management (NW) Ltd
Investment Quorum Ltd
Mearns & Co Limited
Clarity Ltd
Informed Choice Ltd
Torquil Clark
Mazars Financial Planning
Wingate Financial Planning

ENDS

Video of the Awards Ceremony

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Gold Standard Awards are run by Incisive Media. Incisive Media is a leading business-to-business (B2B) information providers, serving the financial and professional services markets globally. We aim to bring product provider and purchaser business communities together using all the varied platforms available to a modern publishing business. The company runs a number of awards programmes. Further information can be obtained on the website www.incisivemedia.com. For further information on the Gold Standard Awards contact lawrence.gosling@incisivemedia.com