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Teesside firm’s exclusive accolade

A Redcar firm has been praised after achieving much-coveted Chartered status, the industry’s gold standard of excellence and integrity. Bob Little & Co becomes one of just 10% of all UK finance companies to be awarded prestigious Chartered Financial Planners status by the CII (Chartered Insurance Institute). And CII chief executive officer Dr Sandy Scott has hailed the company’s accomplishment, which they believe will help them raise their profile throughout Teesside and beyond.

Dr Scott said: “Chartered status enjoys unparalleled familiarity and favourability among clients, denoting as it does that a firm has embraced the challenges of professionalism.

“In becoming a Chartered Financial Planner Bob Little & Co’s staff have demonstrated their technical competence, a commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to adhere to the CII’s code of ethics.”

Bob Little grew the company that bears his name from humble beginnings in the conservatory of the family home in Beverley Road, Redcar, into one of Teesside’s leading providers of financial advice.

Sadly, Bob died suddenly after a short illness at the age of just 65 in October 2011, but under the guidance of his son Robert the business has continued to go from strength to strength.

After earning a First Class honours degree in Financial Economics, Robert became a financial adviser and was appointed Director just months before Bob passed away.

“This business was Dad’s passion and he is an inspiration to me,” he said. “We’re very proud that some clients have been with us since Dad set up in 1986. “All the team here respected Dad and I often ask myself what he would do in a given situation.”

While the majority of Bob Little & Co clients are from the Teesside area, many live elsewhere in the UK or overseas. Robert believes Chartered status puts the company in a position to build on the firm foundations Bob laid down.

He says: “We want people to think ‘Bob Little and Co’ when they want financial advice. Customer service and word of mouth have been key to building the business from the start and we will continue giving a highly personal service. “Many people feel they don’t need expert financial advice but we’re not only here for high net worth individuals, we can normally do something to help everyone.

“My advice to anyone looking for services such as investment and retirement planning, mortgages or financial protection, would be that they have nothing to lose by having a free consultation.”

The company, which is based at purpose-built offices at Prospect House, Kirkleatham Business Park, Redcar, currently has 10 staff, with plans afoot to expand, including taking on an apprentice in the coming months.

“There have been some significant challenges in recent years, including the downturn and a number of big regulatory developments, but we have come through stronger than ever,” says Robert.

“Chartered status raises our profile and shows we’re looking to the future. This is the industry-wide hallmark that the majority of companies are striving to achieve.”

The ultimate symbol of professionalism, Chartered Financial Planner status puts Bob Little & Co Ltd into an elite category of firms who meet stringent requirements and are committed to delivering the highest quality advice and working ethically to put clients’ interests first.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Michael McGeary .