William Highbourne Celebrates Achievement of CISI Chartered Firm™ Status

Devon and Cotswold based wealth management firm William Highbourne has been awarded Chartered Firm™ status by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), marking a significant milestone in the firm’s commitment to professional excellence, client service and ongoing development.

The prestigious accreditation is awarded to financial services firms that demonstrate high standards of professionalism, ethics and competence, including a continuing professional development programme aligned with CISI requirements.

The recognition places William Highbourne among a select group of firms globally that have shown a clear commitment to delivering high-quality financial advice while investing in their teams.

Tracy Vegro OBE, CISI CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dean Stevens and William Highbourne to our global community of select firms holding Chartered Firm™ status. This is a powerful signal to consumers that a financial firm is demonstrably committed to upholding the highest professional standards, and the delivery of top-tier, professional advice.”

For William Highbourne, the accreditation reflects years of investment in professional standards, client outcomes and the continued development of its people.

Stuart Hutton Chartered FCSI, Chartered Wealth Manager and Principal at William Highbourne Wealth Management, said:

“Achieving CISI Chartered Firm™ status is a significant milestone for William Highbourne and reflects our commitment to professional excellence and continuous development across the Southwest.

“This recognition highlights the strength and dedication of our team and reinforces our focus on delivering high-quality, client-centred financial planning. Through our discretionary and model portfolio services, we provide a disciplined, research-driven investment approach aligned with clients’ long-term objectives.

“We remain committed to maintaining these standards as we grow, including through Aristo Capital, our B2B adviser proposition supporting advisers with robust investment solutions, governance frameworks and high-quality portfolio management.”

The Chartered Firm™ designation is an important benchmark for consumers seeking trusted financial advice, providing assurance that accredited firms are committed to maintaining high levels of competence, integrity and professionalism.

William Highbourne’s achievement reflects its focus on tailored financial planning and investment management, while ensuring advisers and support teams continue to develop their expertise in an increasingly complex financial landscape.

The firm also congratulated Cornwall-based Dean Stevens Wealth Management, which achieved Chartered Firm™ status alongside William Highbourne, highlighting the strength of the financial planning profession across the Southwest and a shared commitment to raising standards.

The CISI, the professional body for financial planning, wealth management and capital markets, represents more than 57,000 members worldwide and promotes high standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism across financial services.

Read the full press release on the CISI website here >