Aberdeen-based Acumen Financial Planning is well-established as one of Scotland’s most successful independent advice businesses. The firm, which has won four of the past five New Model Adviser awards for Scotland and Northern Ireland, is also one of the few within the UK that is both accredited and chartered by the CII and CISI respectively.

Established in 2002, Acumen has a presence across Scotland, with offices in Edinburgh, Elgin and most recently Glasgow. Acumen specialises in pensions and retirement planning, savings and investments, tax planning and estate planning. Its employee benefits service, Acumen Employee Benefits, was established as a limited company in 2019.

Managing director Sandy Robertson no longer advises clients but is a longstanding figurehead of the firm, and a well-recognised leader within Scottish advice. John Duncan has joined the group in January as operations director and is responsible for managing the business support team and acquisitions across the financial planning group, which currently includes Enrich Tax Consultancy, Medical & Dental Financial Planners, Acumen Employee Benefits and SpringGen Advice (online-only financial planning for millennials). Since 2014, directors Keith Mackie and David Gow have taken on more responsibility for the firm’s long-term direction and strategy, both taking a stake in the business.