The Gold Standard Awards for 2012 are once again being run in association with TCF Index, a company that helps financial firms progress towards the FSA's Treating Customers Fairly targets.
The need for professional advisers and financial planners to look after the protection needs of clients is increasing in importance, for this they need the best in insurer provision and they are increasingly discerning as to which providers those are.
These awards, awarded by Incisive Media, are ideal for insurers seeking to differentiate themselves from their peers.
They reward the best in financial and health protection services based on an assessment of financial strength, capability, service, fair value and trust.
In their tenth year these awards are open to entry from companies involved in independent financial advice, fund management, group pensions, individual pensions, insurance, mortgages, protection and discretionary portfolio management.
Such is the high standard demanded of entrants that only 48 Gold Standards have been awarded in the awards' five-year history.
Guy Vanner, managing director at AKG, the actuarial firm which has sponsored the awards over many years since their inception and is doing so again this year said: "It's our belief that the awards are important component in delivering on two vital requirements; the need to highlight genuine achievement as part of the process of driving standards higher and the fact that excellence should be multi faceted, with people able to demand high standards across several aspects rather than just one.
"Thus the Gold Standards draw together key constituents, apply expert scrutiny and translate assessment into a simple seal of excellence. We would encourage all who share the awards' aims to take part, for the benefit of both themselves and the wider market.
The entry process is all online and the deadline for entry and for completion of the full online application is 30 July 2012. The awards will be presented at a reception at the House of Commons on 21 November 2012. Visit www.goldstandardawards.com to find out more or to enter.
