Individual awards

Must have: Excelled in their chosen career path beyond their peers. Has excellent interpersonal skills and has used that to build relationships with clients. What makes this person one of a kind? They would have preferably done things differently to improve their working environment for their colleagues or their customers. Should have examples.

Rising star of the year - overall

We are looking for someone who genuinely has excelled over everyone else, has shown dedication and ambition in the beginning of their (new) career and demonstrated that they have put more than enough time to help clients and fellow employees. It is clear that this person will climb high in their career.

Adviser of the year

This person will have shown initiative and demonstrable benefits to the business and evidence of the longer-term effects their actions have made. They will have built a good client database in a short amount of time and built trust and respect with them too.

Paraplanner of the year

This person will have shown initiative and demonstrable benefits to the business and evidence of the longer-term effects their actions have made. They will have built a good client database in a short amount of time and built trust and respect with them too.

Administrator of the year

This person will have shown initiative and demonstrable benefits to the business and evidence of the longer-term effects their actions have made. They will have built a good client database in a short amount of time and built trust and respect with them too.

Marketer of the Year

This person will have introduced innovative ideas to their business to help engagement with new and potential clients. Examples needed in terms of the type of marketing activity and the impact it has had on the business. This category has absorbed social media personality of the year from last year’s awards and so social media-based credentials will be… Must have: A clear understanding of how marketing can help an organisation engage with new and existing clients.

Trainee/graduate of the year

This person must show a commitment to the professional, drive and determination to succeed and evidence of them going above and beyond what is expected of them. They don't have to have got ‘straight As' but can show that once qualified, they will be an integral member of their future team.

Unsung hero

The work of new starters and their formal mentors is often unseen outside of a company, but known and appreciated inside. In this category we are looking for someone who works behind the scenes even internally, supporting new people in their department or company. Examples of how their support has helped a person develop and grow professionally will be vital.

Project leader of the year - NEW

This person has put in the hard yards and made sure a project within an advice business was completed, no matter how tough or troublesome it was. We are looking for someone who has driven through an important project that has helped develop the firm, whether it be technological, systematic, organisational or anything else.

Team player of the year – NEW

From lost files or miscommunication to any other error or blunder, this award recognises a person who has made a great effort to recover from a mistake. That could be their own, a provider’s or someone within their own advice firm. We want to hear from people who have gone to great lengths to make sure clients were served at the highest standard despite whatever problems were happening behind the scenes. All entries here will be completely confidential within the judging panel and will not be released publicly. If you do not want any particular judge(s) to read this entry then please let us know on submission.

Innovator of the year

This person has been creative in their thinking, thought outside the box and done something with that creativity and put it to good use. Their ‘innovative' ideas – technological or otherwise - have created change in their company or for their clients. Examples needed.

Team awards

Best adviser firm development programme

This programme must have an extremely high pass rate (90%) and has helped to produce respectable young talent. It must hold great student satisfaction - there must be testimonies to back this up (at least three)

Young team of the year

We are looking for the best example of a team of peers, with similar amounts of experience in the industry, coming together to solve business challenges. An explanation of the initial purpose and end results of the work must be included.

Best team moment of the year - NEW

We are looking for the best team moment from your advice firm that demonstrates camaraderie and a positive, enjoyable workplace culture. This could be from the team doing a charitable deed in fancy dress or just a social bonding event – we want to see the businesses with the best – and most eccentric - group activities. Video and/or photographic evidence is required. Shortlisted entries will be played live on screen at the awards ceremony.