CII: 5 Minutes with a Chartered Firm – Rosebridge

What does it mean to be a Chartered financial planning firm?

Chartered status, awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), recognises a firm’s commitment to high professional standards, ethical practice and putting clients first.

Rosebridge has been a Chartered firm since 2007, one of the first in the North West to achieve the status. As part of its ‘5 Minutes with a Chartered Firm’ series, the CII recently spoke to our CEO, Phil Rose, about what being Chartered means to us and how we put those principles into practice.

Read the full feature below.

 

How long has your firm been Chartered? 

19 years.

We became a firm of Chartered Financial Planners in 2007, one of the first in the North West to do so.

 

Why is Chartered status important to your business? 

Chartered status gives our clients confidence that we will always act in their best interests. It is built around client-centric practices and reflects our commitment to professionalism, integrity, and exceptional service.

 

What initiative has the organisation been involved in which has had a social impact/corporate social responsibility focus on? 

We take pride in our commitment to making a difference in our communities. Our efforts extend beyond financial planning, supporting many worthy causes:

• Local Football Teams Sponsorship: We sponsor both the junior and first teams at Ramsbottom United FC.

• The Hive 100 Youth Zone: As members, we support initiatives that improve the lives of young people, helping to provide access to opportunities, positive experiences, and trusted support when it is needed.

• Ramsbottom Pantry: Our Ramsbottom team volunteers their time to this food bank, which provides essential items to the local community throughout the year.

• Save the Family: We regularly contribute towards this organisation which provides residential housing and round-the-clock support for homeless and at-risk families.

We actively support a range of charities and community initiatives, from national causes such as the NSPCC, Macmillan, and Save the Children to local causes such as Rainbow Junktion in Leeds and the West Cheshire Food Bank. Through these efforts, we aim to make a meaningful social impact.

 

How do you ensure your employees remain at the forefront of their profession? 

All our team members have access to educational and development opportunities. One of our major focuses is exceeding the industry-standard mandatory annual training requirements, which benefits both the team and our clients. We prioritise continued professional development and are committed to providing the tools and support our team needs to succeed and thrive in their careers.

We offer a fully funded learning programme which includes study days and on-the-job learning support. Of our team of 37, 10 team members are qualified Chartered Financial Planners, and a further eight team members hold at least a Diploma-level qualification. Our team fosters a collaborative learning environment, supporting one another as they work towards further professional qualifications.

 

How have you implemented the CII Code of Ethics into your business? 

We are committed to embedding the CII Code of Ethics into every aspect of our business. The Code underpins how we advise clients, support our people, and make decisions across the firm.

To ensure these principles are reflected in our day-to-day activities, our internal policies and standards reinforce the key commitments set out by the CII, including:

• Acting with honesty, integrity and professionalism at all times
• Putting clients’ best interests at the heart of every recommendation
• Treating everyone fairly, with respect and without discrimination
• Maintaining high standards of professional knowledge through ongoing learning and development
• Complying with all relevant laws, regulations and professional standards
• Delivering a consistently high standard of service to every client

These principles are embedded through regular training, continued professional development, and robust governance across the firm. Our commitment is reflected in our most recent client survey, where 100% of respondents said they would recommend us.

 

What advice would you give a firm who is considering applying to become Chartered?

Chartered status represents the highest professional standards in financial advice and serves as a mark of trust, credibility, and excellence. Achieving this distinction demonstrates a firm’s commitment to prioritising clients’ best interests and upholding strong ethical values.

Firms should be mindful that the value of Chartered status lies in the high standards it sets. While pathways to achieving Chartered status may evolve, it remains important for firms to focus on building a genuinely Chartered team and maintaining the rigorous standards that clients expect. This ensures that the Chartered mark continues to signify a gold standard in financial advice, delivering confidence and peace of mind to clients.

 

Get in touch

If you are looking for financial planning advice from a Chartered firm, the team at Rosebridge can help you understand your options and build a plan around your individual circumstances and long-term goals.

Ramsbottom office – Email enquiries@rosebridgeltd.com or call 01204 300010
Chester office – Email enquirieschester@rosebridgeltd.com or call 01244 569141
Leeds office – Email enquiriesleeds@rosebridgeltd.com or call 0113 243 7100