The Sheffield-based firm was placed 17th in the rankings drawn up by industry magazine Professional Adviser, after achieving nearly 35 per cent growth over the last year.

Professional Adviser's Rob Kingsbury, said: "The ranking reflects the dynamic and changing environment in which financial advisers now operate and the opportunities for groups with flair, ambition and good business sense to grow their propositions.

"While some companies have grown their size through acquisition and organic growth, others have concentrated solely on enhancing the quality and breadth of their service to increase their client base."

Queen's Road-based WFI, founded by Charles Gillespie and Mark Rendall, has offices in Derby and Lincoln, in addition to its headquarters on Queens Road, Sheffield and has grown from an initial staff of three to employ 17 qualified independent financial advisers and 17 support staff – a high proportion of support staff, designed to allow advisers to focus solely on clients' needs.

Joint managing director Mark Rendall attributes the firm's rapid growth to its comprehensive approach to all areas of financial advice, as well as the specialist areas of knowledge of its advisers.

"Our plans are to continue to grow and create opportunities for more advisers and additional staff primarily through acquisition of other firms," said Mr Rendall.

As a part of its growth strategy, WFI recently appointed three new directors - Tim Couldwell, Paul Archer and Karl Shatford - all of whom have many years service with the company.

Two of the company's advisers, Rob Mitchell and Joint Managing Director Charles Gillespie, hold the title of Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and the company was recently awarded the Chartered Insurance Institute's Chartered Financial Planners standard.

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