As founding members of the Initiative for Financial Wellbeing, we were thrilled to hear the news that they have been awarded institute status. This government-regulated term can only be used by professional bodies of the highest standing and it’s come as no surprise to us that Chris Budd and his team have been seen as worthy.

We talk a lot about financial wellbeing, and it should be clear that it is an approach that underpins all our work for our clients. Working with the (now) Institute of Financial Wellbeing is something we take seriously and it has helped us as we formally incorporate financial wellbeing into our annual review meetings and other client processes.

We were the first company to pass the IFW’s Financial Wellbeing assessment in 2019 and the first to then be reassessed in 2021, passing both times with flying colours! Our most recent report included the comment that ‘Gibson Lamb clearly continues to put the wellbeing of their clients and employees at the heart of the company’.

We’ve also received public recognition from the IFW as well as our individual audit results. Earlier this year I was rather surprised and extremely proud to be named Client Impact Champion at their inaugural awards. What the award shows is that our approach is clearly making a difference to the quality of our clients’ lives, which is the most important thing to us.

The focus of the IFW is supporting the industry of which we’re a part – financial planning and advice – to improve their clients’ financial wellbeing by helping them become happier and more fulfilled, not just wealthier. We’re proud to be associated with what they’re trying to achieve and believe that their new institute status will help them influence the financial services industry to take positive steps in shifting conversations around money towards discussions of financial wellbeing. We’re excited to be part of that journey!