At Strategic Solutions Financial Services, we’re proud to celebrate the achievements of our team — and right now, we’re shining a spotlight on Dave Stone, who has recently passed his Advanced Diploma, achieved Chartered Financial Planner status, and been awarded a Fellow.  

Dave’s career spans more than four decades. After leaving university in 1984, he began working for Gresham Life in technical services and sales before completing his Life Assurance exams in 1990. By 1992, he had qualified as an Independent Financial Adviser, and over the years has worked for a number of firms within the profession. 

In 2013, Dave made the move into Lifestyle Financial Planning — something he describes as a game-changer. 

“It’s so much more people-based,” he says. “You’re helping clients gain real clarity and confidence over their financial futures so they can live their best lives with the finances they have now and in the future. It’s incredibly fulfilling.” 

Dave joined SSFS in 2022 and says he was drawn not just by its reputation for quality advice, but by the culture of support and learning that runs through the business. 

“There are lots of people here doing exams, and that’s really encouraged,” he says. “It’s a great place for advisers to keep learning and progressing.” 

Although Dave had already held Chartered status as an Insurance Practitioner for 25 years, achieving Chartered status in Financial Planning meant starting over. 

“Transitioning from the insurance to financial planning qualifications was not straightforward,” he explains. “There was so much information to interpret, but Rachael Martin, Chartered Financial Planner and Head Paraplanner at SSFS, helped me understand the pathway. It had been a goal of mine for a long time — and now I’ve done it.” 

One of the biggest challenges Dave faced was tackling a three hours written exam for the first time in nearly 30 years. 

“I joined NextGen Planners and did their one-day webinar on exam technique,” he says. “Without that, I’m not sure I would have passed the Advanced Planning paper. It’s as much about exam technique as it is about knowledge.” 

Now a Chartered Fellow, Dave has signed up for SOLLA accreditation to further support clients in later life. Reflecting on his journey, he adds: “It started as a way of testing what I thought I knew — proving it to myself. After the first couple of exams, I got into the swing of it. I think I’ve got the bug now!”  

Dave’s story is a fantastic example of lifelong learning and personal growth — values that sit at the heart of SSFS. We’re proud to have Dave as part of our team, and we look forward to seeing what he achieves next. 

To learn more about our team, visit: https://ssfs.co.uk/meet-our-team/