6 October 2026 | etc.venues County Hall, London
Please be advised that the registration process may experience delays due to high website traffic.
Congratulations to the 2026 Young Financial Planner Award winners!
We are thrilled to announce the winners for the Young Financial Planner Awards 2026.
Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to your clients have set you apart, and your success is a testament to the hard work you've put in. A special mention also goes to our highly commended entrants, whose outstanding achievements came very close to the top spot, and to every finalist, whose place on the shortlist is an accomplishment in its own right. You represent the very best of the next generation of financial planning, and we're proud to celebrate you all.
Thank you for setting such a high standard, and we can't wait to see what you achieve next.
The Young Financial Planner Awards 2026 (YFPAs) celebrate the emerging talent shaping the future of the profession, shining a spotlight on those at the start of their careers who are already making a meaningful impact. Whether you are a graduate trainee, administrator, paraplanner or financial planner, the YFPAs offer an opportunity to gain recognition for your passion, achievements and potential. The awards also include categories recognising outstanding teams and specialists in areas such as marketing, sustainability and social responsibility.
How to enter
Think you or someone you know has what it takes to be one of the brightest rising stars in financial planning?
Here’s how to get involved:
Step 1: Choose Your Categories
Start by exploring the award categories and deciding where your strengths shine. Whether you're a client-facing adviser or supporting the financial planning process as an administrator or paraplanner, there is a category for you. We have also included categories covering marketing and sustainability expertise.
Eligible Roles:
We welcome entries from anyone working in UK-based financial planning services. That includes roles in:
- Financial advice
- Paraplanning
- Administration
- Marketing and communications
- Sustainability
Whether you're just getting started or already showing leadership potential, we want to hear from you.
All entrants must be aged 35 or under.
Nomination Limits: You can be nominated in up to a maximum of three categories, so don’t be shy about putting yourself forward where you think you belong.
Please ensure you carefully review the entry criteria for your category and entry guidelines.
Step 2: Submit Your Entry
Each entry will involve a short online submission form via a series of questions where you'll highlight key achievements, impact, and innovation, Share your vision for the future of financial planning and, most importantly, why you believe you deserve your award.
You can nominate yourself or a colleague, and we strongly encourage peers and managers to support rising talent by making nominations too.
All eligible and verified entries will create a shortlist, which will be announced online in August.
Entry deadline extended to Friday 10 July!
Step 3: Shine in Front of Industry Leaders
Shortlisted nominees will be reviewed by a panel of expert judges from across the financial services industry in July, who will create a shortlist of the strongest candidates, which will be announced in August.
The judges seek candidates with a passion for positive change in their workplace, sector, or client outcomes. Candidates should provide evidence that they go above and beyond in their roles. The awards focus on achievements from the past 18 months, with particular emphasis on accomplishments since June 2025.
It’s your chance to showcase your skills, your passion for the profession, and your potential to shape the future.
YFPA 2026 Categories
View the categories and criteria below. Our judges will review entries and compile a shortlist.
Please read the entry guidelines before you get started.
If you have any queries, please get in touch with Megan Trappitt.
Entries for the Awards are now closed.
Emerging Talent of the Year – Graduate Trainee
This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated exceptional initiative and delivered tangible, positive outcomes for their business. Their proactive approach and commitment to excellence have created enduring benefits, significantly enhancing training efficiency. In a short time, they have built trust and respect through their dedication, professionalism, and reliable support.
This item is not available
Emerging Talent of the Year – Graduate Trainee
Entry Form Criteria
All entrants must be aged 35 or under.
Entrants should:
- Please show evidence of tangible outcomes you have delivered within the first 12–18 months of your role.
- Provide examples of where you have proactively engaged beyond your core responsibilities.
- Describe any improvements you have made to training or onboarding efficiency.
- Include positive feedback or testimonials that highlight your professionalism and reliability.
- Demonstrate how you have earned trust and respect through your initiative and consistent support.
Young Administrator of the Year
This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated exceptional initiative and delivered tangible, positive outcomes for their business. Their proactive approach and commitment to excellence have created enduring benefits, enhancing business efficiency. In a short time, they have built strong internal relationships, fostering trust and respect through their dedication, professionalism, and reliable support.
This item is not available
Young Administrator of the Year
Entry Form Criteria
All entrants must be aged 35 or under.
Entrants should:
- Please provide evidence of how you have improved processes or introduced time-saving initiatives.
- Share examples of instances where you have gone above and beyond your core duties.
- Describe how you have built strong internal relationships and supported cross-team collaboration.
- Provide details of the impact your work has had on business operations or efficiency.
- Include feedback or testimonials from colleagues or managers that reflect your dedication and reliability.
Young Financial Planner of the Year (East & West Midlands)
This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding initiative and delivered measurable value to their organisation. They have made impactful contributions with lasting benefits, showcasing a clear commitment to business growth and client success. In a short time, they have developed meaningful client relationships, earning trust and respect through their expertise, dedication, and interpersonal skills.
This item is not available
Young Financial Planner of the Year (East & West Midlands)
Entry Form Criteria
All entrants must be aged 35 or under.
Entrants should:
- Please share examples of client outcomes that demonstrate the value of your financial planning.
- Provide evidence of how your work has contributed to business growth or client retention.
- Describe how you have built meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Detail any innovations or improvements you have introduced to planning processes or client service.
- Include testimonials or feedback that highlight your expertise, professionalism and impact.
Young Financial Planner of the Year (London & Greater London)
This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding initiative and delivered measurable value to their organisation. They have made impactful contributions with lasting benefits, showcasing a clear commitment to business growth and client success. In a short time, they have developed meaningful client relationships, earning trust and respect through their expertise, dedication, and interpersonal skills.
This item is not available
Young Financial Planner of the Year (London & Greater London)
Entry form criteria:
All entrants must be aged 35 or under.
Entrants should:
- Please share examples of client outcomes that demonstrate the value of your financial planning.
- Provide evidence of how your work has contributed to business growth or client retention.
- Describe how you have built meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Detail any innovations or improvements you have introduced to planning processes or client service.
- Include testimonials or feedback that highlight your expertise, professionalism and impact.
Young Financial Planner of the Year (Northeast & West, Scotland & N. Ireland)
This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding initiative and delivered measurable value to their organisation. They have made impactful contributions with lasting benefits, showcasing a clear commitment to business growth and client success. In a short time, they have developed meaningful client relationships, earning trust and respect through their expertise, dedication, and interpersonal skills.
This item is not available
Young Financial Planner of the Year (Northeast & West, Scotland & N. Ireland)
Entry form criteria:
All entrants must be aged 35 or under.
Entrants should:
- Please share examples of client outcomes that demonstrate the value of your financial planning.
- Provide evidence of how your work has contributed to business growth or client retention.
- Describe how you have built meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Detail any innovations or improvements you have introduced to planning processes or client service.
- Include testimonials or feedback that highlight your expertise, professionalism and impact.
Young Financial Planner of the Year (Southeast & West)
This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding initiative and delivered measurable value to their organisation. They have made impactful contributions with lasting benefits, showcasing a clear commitment to business growth and client success. In a short time, they have developed meaningful client relationships, earning trust and respect through their expertise, dedication, and interpersonal skills.
This item is not available
Young Financial Planner of the Year (Southeast & West)
Entry form criteria:
All entrants must be aged 35 or under.
Entrants should:
- Please share examples of client outcomes that demonstrate the value of your financial planning.
- Provide evidence of how your work has contributed to business growth or client retention.
- Describe how you have built meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Detail any innovations or improvements you have introduced to planning processes or client service.
- Include testimonials or feedback that highlight your expertise, professionalism and impact.
Young Financial Planning Team of the Year
This award celebrates an outstanding team of young professionals within a financial planning business who, with similar levels of experience, have collaborated effectively to address key business challenges. We are looking for a team that exemplifies unity, problem-solving abilities, and innovation in achieving their goals. Entries should include a clear account of the team’s initial objectives, the strategies they employed, and the successful outcomes, showcasing their positive impact on the organisation and its clients.
This item is not available
Young Financial Planning Team of the Year
Entry Form Criteria
All entrants must be aged 35 or under.
Entrants should:
- Please outline your team’s goals, the challenges you faced and how you addressed them.
- Describe how your team collaborated and shared responsibilities to deliver results.
- Provide measurable evidence of the team’s impact on the business or its clients.
- Share examples of innovative approaches or creative problem-solving used by the team.
- Include supporting feedback or testimonials that reflect your team’s effectiveness and contribution.
Young Marketing Specialist of the Year
This award recognises an individual who has introduced innovative strategies to drive client engagement and business growth. Through creative marketing initiatives—including social media and other channels—they have successfully attracted and retained clients, enhancing the organisation’s visibility and reputation. They will demonstrate a strong understanding of how marketing can connect an organisation with new and existing clients, backed by clear examples of successful campaigns and measurable results.
This item is not available
Young Marketing Specialist of the Year
Entry Form Criteria
All entrants must be aged 35 or under.
Entrants should:
- Please provide details of marketing campaigns you have led, including objectives, approach and measurable results.
- Share examples of creative or innovative marketing strategies you have developed.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the target audience and your use of appropriate channels.
- Describe the impact your work has had on business visibility, client engagement or growth.
- Include feedback or recognition from colleagues or management that highlights your contribution.
Young Paraplanner of the Year
This award recognises a paraplanner who has exhibited exceptional initiative, contributing meaningful value to their team and business. Their work has created lasting, positive impacts, demonstrating dedication to the organisation’s growth and success. They have established strong relationships, building trust and respect through their accuracy, reliability, and commitment to excellence in financial planning support.
This item is not available
Young Paraplanner of the Year
Entry Form Criteria
All entrants must be aged 35 or under.
Entrants should:
- Please provide examples of complex planning work you have delivered and how it added value.
- Describe how you have taken initiative to improve technical standards, processes or templates.
- Share how you have built strong working relationships with advisers and team members.
- Demonstrate how your work has supported planning strategies, compliance or business success.
- Include feedback or testimonials that reflect your accuracy, reliability and professional commitment.
Meet our 2025 winners
Key Dates
JUNE
Entries open on 9 June: Colleagues and individuals can nominate themselves or others within the industry.
JULY
Entries are now closed: All submissions will be collated and verified to proceed to the judging round.
JULY/AUGUST
Judging:
A panel of expert judges from across the financial services industry will review all submissions and create a shortlist of the strongest candidates.
The shortlist will be announced in August.
OCTOBER
Awards Presentation: All shortlisted nominees will be announced in October. Good luck!