Bournemouth-based Strategic Solutions was set up 11 years ago. Its advisers are well qualified: 10 have a diploma; 16 are chartered or above; with 12 of those going on to be awarded a Fellowship from the Chartered Insurance Institute, the highest qualification for an adviser. The investment into youth has also meant that the average age of an adviser is just over 40. The firm has been Chartered itself since 2012.

The awarding-winning firm has been recognised on many occasions for the good work it does in the financial advice world. It does a huge amount of charitable work, too.

The firm launched its Community Foundation recently, with advisers donating 0.5% of their gross income, with Strategic Solutions matching the amount.

The firm’s foundation committee assesses applications and makes the awards. They look to local causes, with a preference for financial education and over the last couple of years have donated nearly £100,000 to a diverse range of causes. Recent projects have ranged from sponsoring the reintroduction of beavers into Dorset, providing funds to increase the number of apiaries for a beekeeping charity, buying kayaks for Sea Cadets and paying for a hearing loop in a village hall.