SWA Financial Planning’s Nathan Purnell has won the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award for the first study semester of this year.

The award recognises the highest-performing student in the Certified Financial Planner certification unit for each semester.

“I congratulate Nathan on persevering with his studies alongside his work commitments – his dedication is an exceptional example of the financial planning profession at its best,” Financial Advice Association Australia CEO Sarah Abood said.

She says the CFP certification program is part of the association’s efforts to equip planners with the skills and confidence to give quality advice.

Mr Purnell, who is based in Wollongong, NSW, joined the business in 2017. He says completing the program has given him an “enhanced appreciation for the depth of knowledge, skills and professionalism we have within the financial planning industry. I particularly enjoyed the client-first approach in every unit.”