Armstrong Watson’s top-rated financial planning team continues to grow

Armstrong Watson’s top-rated financial planning team continues to grow with the appointment of another experienced hire.

Nick Birtle has joined the firm’s Penrith office as a Financial Planning Consultant, having uniquely previously worked as an accountant with Big Four firm KPMG in Manchester, prior to becoming a financial adviser.

Nick’s appointment comes just months after fellow Financial Planning Consultant Sarah Tallentire was welcomed into the business and sees the Penrith FP team double in size.

Both Cumbrian-born advisers bring with them a wealth of experience and their appointments continue to build on the strength of the Penrith team, led by Head of Advice Justin Rourke. Along with Paul Moody the Penrith team boast more than 60 years’ experience between them.

Nick said: “I am very excited to join Justin and the team in Penrith. Armstrong Watson is the perfect fit for me being the only top 30 accountancy firm to have an in-house team of Chartered Financial Planners and Asset Management expertise.

“The opportunity to provide independent financial advice to local people and business owners is not something I take lightly. Our advice proposition is compelling and provides excellent value to clients as a standalone offering. However, when combined with the firm’s specialist tax and accountancy service lines, there really is no firm better placed to help clients prosper.”

Sarah, who has provided advice to individual clients and businesses for over 15 years, said: “’I feel privileged to have joined Armstrong Watson as a Financial Planning Consultant. To be a part of the growing team in Penrith, alongside Justin, Paul and Nick fills me with an immense sense of pride.

“Our joined-up approach across all areas of the business, really does mean we are able to put the needs of our clients first and support them throughout theirs and their family’s lifetime.’’

Justin added: “It’s been fantastic to welcome both Nick and Sarah to our growing financial advice and wealth management team in Penrith.

“It is more important now than ever to have access to an independent financial adviser, so to be able to have four local financial planning consultants providing advice across Penrith, Keswick, Appleby and the surrounding areas is a great sign of our commitment and progress.”

Armstrong Watson’s financial planning consultants once again gained national recognition in 2022, with 11 advisers across the business named in The Times’ 2022 Guide To The UK’s Top Rated Financial Advisers, based on positive client reviews from VouchedFor.co.uk.

The overall firm rating for Armstrong Watson Financial Planning and Wealth Management is 4.9/5 based on 580 reviews for 17 verified advisers.