The year has also seen the firm welcome sixteen new staff members and several internal promotions, alongside winning the prestigious New Model Adviser (Scotland and Northern Ireland) 2023 award for the fifth time.

Following on from their appointment earlier this year to directors of the Financial Planning Group, Rhian Morgan and Kevin McKenzie have now been appointed directors of Acumen Financial Planning. Both have been with the group for 32 years combined and are passionate about providing sound financial advice within the north-east region and further afield.

The team also expanded their Glasgow office this year with a variety of new hires and the completed acquisition of Loch Fyne Financial team and clients in November, bringing the group’s funds under management (FUM) to over £900 Million.

The financial experts welcomed thirteen new members to their team over the past six months including Paul Gillen financial planner, Stewart Gunn trainee financial planning administrator, Layo Ewedemi trainee paraplanner, Donna Corkindale trainee paraplanner, Neil Burns paraplanner, Ayesha Wilson trainee paraplanner, Jordan Paterson trainee paraplanner, Nida Khan trainee financial planning administrator, Kat Dawson trainee financial planning administrator, Cameron Moar client support acumen employee benefits, Sarah McFarlane receptionist, Andrew Ridell trainee financial planning administrator and Caitlin Forbes marketing executive.

In addition to these roles, the firm has welcomed Jayden Lumsden, foundation apprentice on placement from Kemnay Academy.

Acumen Financial Planning has been working in partnership with Kemnay Academy since 2019 which has been hugely beneficial to the students and their financial understanding. The firm continues to maintain their longstanding relationship with Kemnay Academy in Aberdeenshire by providing a variety of financial lessons to pupils between S4 to S6 understand their first payslips, budgeting, workplace and personal pensions within the lessons.

Acumen also continues to work with other schools in the area including Westhill Academy on careers fairs, presentations and mock interviews.

Ms Morgan said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Director of Acumen Financial Planning alongside Kevin. I joined the support team in 2006, became a financial planner in 2011 and have not looked back.

“We are so proud to be ending the year on another high at Acumen, in what has been an unpredictable year in terms of new budgets and various financial changes, we are pleased to have helped our clients through this and look forward to our 22nd year in business.”

Mr MacKenzie added: “Our 21st year in business has been one to remember and we could not have done it without our fantastic team. At Acumen we are committed to providing the best service for our clients and helping them on their financial journey.

“I am thrilled to be working alongside Rhian, as a director at Acumen along with Keith Mackie, David Gow, and our managing director, Sandy Robertson.

“I look forward to seeing what 2024 has in store for us, as we continue to develop a talented workforce that provides a high standard of service to a growing number of clients. I am privileged to join a board of directors that has a shared vision for our future.”