Responsible Practice
Consumer Duty
Putting the needs of our clients and those in our community is at the heart of our business.
Our approach is compliant with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules for Consumer Duty – PS22/9 and guidance FG22/5, the Consumer Duty Principle to “act to deliver good outcomes for customers”
Our company leadership demonstrates good behaviour, values, and compliance for all our advisers and employees and clearly defines the Consumer Duty principle within our values.
Vulnerable clients
We believe we have a moral imperative to help those in need of financial support.
We are proud to have a dedicated team who undertake regular training to understand and
consider the needs of vulnerable clients relevant to the roles they perform.
We deliberately keep our definition of Vulnerable broad. We have a non-exhaustive list of charitable services our staff can signpost those in need for all areas of advice.
Domestic Abuse Champions
We were the first business to join the Domestic Abuse (DA) Champions programme pilot in Worcestershire – part of a national initiative by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) and Public Health.
As Champions, our nominated team members undertake extensive training to learn how to support and seek appropriate assistance for those living with physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse.
We are the Mortgage advice referral partners for local charity support for those living with Domestic Abuse. We also raise awareness of Financial Abuse in our extensive client network.
Our approach is nationally recognised by our industry.
Diversity & Inclusion
Our vision is to create a dynamic workplace where difference is recognised as a strength and valued and talented people can flourish and achieve their highest potential.
We understand that diverse teams and inclusive environments provide the foundations for creativity, innovation, and business growth. That’s why we aim to attract, retain, and develop the best people from all walks of life and from all backgrounds.
Our focus is to build a community where diverse perspectives are valued, and our people can be their true selves and help us build connections with our clients, attract talented people to work with us and deliver the best products, services, and experiences.
“Our business is about people. So, it is essential we create equal and comfortable environments for our clients and opportunities for our teams by providing clarity of information and purpose.”
For recruitment
-Piers Mepsted, Managing Director
We are committed to equal opportunity and diversity in recruitment and employment. We value the differences a diverse workforce brings to our organisation and believe that diversity and inclusivity are key drivers of effectiveness and provide our clients a quality service.
Entry and progression within our business is determined by the application of objective criteria, personal performance, and merit.
We want to create the best environment for our people to thrive. We recognise the importance of offering a flexible approach to our working environment and we would be happy to discuss this with you further.
Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Modern Slavery Act 2015 (legislation.gov.uk)
We expect all of our suppliers to comply with the Modern Slavery Act and for their working conditions to meet (or exceed) international labour standards.
We acknowledge our responsibility to ensure that our suppliers have fair and ethical labour practices. We keep track of the measures we are taking to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chain and business operations.