Global Financial Planning Awards Winners 2014

Lindsay, Ontario, CANADA: The 2014 PlanPlus Global Financial Planning Awards winners were recently announced during the Financial Planning Association’s Annual Conference in Seattle. Winners received an all-expense paid trip to the conference where the awards were presented.

The first place winner for the Americas region is Rose Swanger, an MBA, CFP® from Knoxville, Tennessee, and the first place winner for Asia is Gavin Teoh Hock Geh from Malaysia. Lovaii Navlakhi from India was chosen as the first runner-up for Asia.

The PlanPlus Global Financial Planning awards recognize top financial planners based on their demonstration of providing outstanding financial planning advice clearly focusing on the best interests of the client. Advisors from all over the world submitted entries based on actual financial plans they had completed, with the permission of their client.

Five judges adjudicated the submissions for each region, then shortlisted the entries down to the two best plans that reflected the ideals of the profession. Two finalists for each region were asked to present their plans to the judges virtually in order to determine the winners. If submissions did not meet high enough standards, winners were not declared for that Region.

“I am very excited about the growing success of the Awards” said John Page, Competition Chair. “The number of registrations and submissions doubled from last year, specifically for Asia. Next year we are looking forward to having winners from all three regions. We hope to join forces with several financial planning associations around the world in order to increase awareness and to work towards developing country specific awards” said Page.

Rose Swanger is thrilled to be chosen as this year’s Americas Region winner. “My personal experience with the Awards is that it gives small boutique financial planners a unique opportunity and a voice to present their distinctive experience of interacting with everyday investors.

For that alone, I'm eternally grateful” said Swanger. “For a small fish from a tiny pond to win such a distinguished award proves once again that if you, as the financial planner, have the passion and drive, and believe in what you do, you will receive recognition and validation.”

“Every achievement grows out of the seed of determination” quotes Gavin Teoh Hock Geh. “This remarkable recognition as the winner of PlanPlus Global Financial Planning Awards 2014 - Asia Region is more than just my achievement - it is also a recognition of the financial planning industry in Malaysia” he said.

“The competition gets stiffer and it certainly raises the standard of advisory practice. The motivation for this grand competition promotes higher quality of advice amongst contestants and financial planners, and this eventually benefits consumers.

I wish to see such competitions within regions and at the international level continue for many years to come. Bravo to PlanPlus for initiating this project! I would encourage all financial planners to have the courage to enter the upcoming PlanPlus Global Financial Planning Awards 2015.”

Lynne Myles, CFP®, and part of the Americas Region judging panel said, “I was extremely impressed with the quality of this year’s entries. The competition was close, however, the sheer magnitude of the detail provided by our two winners during their live presentations impressed the judges, showing how completely dedicated they are to both clients and the industry. I can’t wait to see what next year’s competition brings!”