A FORMER Llandovery College pupil is one of three advisers at the same wealth management company to gain the highest accolade possible within the industry.

Talented, young financial planner Gwyn Edwards of Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management has been made a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) along with his colleagues Ben Gittins and Dominic Richmond.

The CII is a professional body that sets the gold standard for the industry and with Hadlow Edwards celebrating a unique, triple success it demonstrates the firm's fierce commitment to the highest possible professional standards.

Gwyn, 29, who won a prestigious scholarship to Llandovery College due to his prowess on the rugby field, heads up Hadlow Edwards’ London-based office.

Hadlow Edwards, which has its headquarters in the historical former Wrexham Lager Brewrey building in the heart of the North Wales town was set up in 2000 by Gwyn’s father Medwyn and founding director Warren Hadlow.

It now has a 25-strong team and is a representative of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, which is one of the UK's largest wealth management organisations, and offers advice on many aspects of wealth management to both individuals and businesses.

Gwyn Edwards joined the Hadlow Edwards team three and a half years ago after graduating from St. James's Place Academy.

After a spell of living and working in New Zealand with two friends, Gwyn decided to forge a career in the same industry as his father.

Although his playing career was cut short by injury, he still turns out regularly as a centre for his local team in West Hampstead, UCS Old Boys RFC.

He said: "I'm very proud of gaining my fellowship. It's been tough but I've got there now and at a relatively young age in this industry. It's nice to get it done.

"I love the job, I feel like I'm adding value to people's lives and making them feel more comfortable about their finances.

"It's great meeting different people from different backgrounds who are in or who have had interesting jobs. It's also very rewarding to help people who are vulnerable.

"It could be someone who has lost a parent or partner and they need help with finances. Knowing what to do with your money can be a minefield for somebody in that situation.

"A lot of clients want to be sensible and save for the future. They'll tell me they've had this job for a few years but have nothing to show for it and want to be more sensible with their money."

Gwyn’s colleagues Dominic Richmond and Ben Gittins were equally proud and pleased to become Fellows.

Dominic Richmond, 52, who joined Hadlow Edwards three years ago and lives in Oxton, Wirral, said: "We're all very proud. It takes a bit of work and time but it's worth the effort. It means we can have Chartered status as a Practice and individually gives us more credibility.

"We've now got two on the adviser team who are Fellows and more on the way who are likely to be Chartered this year. We expect over time, particularly with a young team coming through, that all the advisers will work towards Chartered and Fellow."

Ben Gittins, 26, and from Wrexham, who joined Hadlow Edwards in 2014, said: "I'm really pleased, it's the highest accolade you can receive in our industry. As a Practice, we are keen to have a recognised standing with other professionals.

"To gain an accolade like this is a real achievement when you're young in the industry. We currently have three trainee advisers so to have the Fellow qualification will hopefully encourage them to aim for same thing.