Thornton Associates has become the first firm on the Isle of Man to gain chartered financial planner status from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

Principal and Managing Director of Thornton Sharon Sutton (pictured), who was recently elected onto the council of the Isle of Man Insurance & Financial Services Institute, helped the firm to chartered status by gaining the individual chartered title.

Sharon said that becoming a chartered firm was a landmark for the company, which was founded in 2000, and believes it will be a flag for clients who are looking for advisers 'truly at the top of the profession'.

"We have always prided ourselves on being thoroughly professional in everything we do, and to receive external recognition in this way is very gratifying.

"As chartered financial planners, we can signal our commitment to the highest levels of service for our clients and also for potential clients because they will see that we have achieved the highest possible certification of professional capability," she said.

"I can see this as a way for clients to identify those firms which are truly at the top of the profession and make it easier for them to find advice that can change and secure their financial future."

Sutton, who competed for the Isle of Man as a cyclist in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, said all the staff at the family owned and operated business were proud of the chartered status, which was a result of "many hours of hard work and ongoing certification."