TAUNTON-based Cooper Associates Wealth Management has won the Large Business of the Year award at the 2024 St James’s Place annual company meeting.

The accolade, won in the face of competition from 58 other firms, cements Cooper Associates Wealth Management’s position in the top 10 St James’s Place firms in the UK out of 4,500.

The 44-strong team bucked the performance trend for many other financial services firms last year.

Despite challenges such as consumer duty, sustained rises in interest rates and continued market volatility, the company enjoyed its best year ever with a 26 per cent increase in revenue.

Commenting on the firm’s success, Simon Dawes, managing director of Cooper Associates Wealth Management, said “None of the results we achieve would be possible without our dedicated team of financial consultants.

"They are the ones who establish and maintain excellent and professional relationships with our highly valued portfolio of clients.

"They consistently go above the industry standard, giving clients exemplary service and strengthen our reputation as an adviser of choice for the South West and beyond.”

Cooper Associates’ continued success enables the business to invest in growth and performance and early last year it opened an office in Cheltenham office, creating five jobs and aiming to double its presence their his year.

The business continues to develop its wider team through its industry-leading LEAP Accelerator programme, which offers a select number of people the opportunity to switch to a career in financial services.

A company spokesperson said: "With no experience necessary, just a hunger to learn and a desire to work in a career where there are no limits, the programme welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

"Bankers, professional sports players and police detectives have all entered a new advisory role with Cooper Associates."

Mr Dawes added: "I’m incredibly proud of this achievement.

"I know I speak for the team when I say how privileged we all feel to look after so many valued clients who continue to trust us with their finances. I’m excited to see what the next 12 months hold.”