I was robbed in London last night

The mean, dark, cold streets of London in Winter are no place for an Independent Financial Planner from Cranleigh to be walking late on a weekday night.

Danger lurks around every corner.

Despite the obvious risks, I was in London yesterday evening and I was robbed.

Fortunately I was only robbed in the figurative sense; failing to win Social Media Adviser of the Year at the Unbiased Media Awards 2015.

The prize instead went to my good friend Alistair Cunningham of Wingate Financial Planning (pictured here behind my hand), who deserved the win for his fantastic efforts raising the profile of professional financial advice in the national press.

The prestigious Unbiased Media Awards have been running for 11 years and are designed to recognise the important contribution of professional advisers and journalists in promoting the value of professional financial advice.

Around 150 influential media IFAs and personal finance journalists gathered in London yesterday evening at a drinks reception to congratulate the winners and commended entrants.

It was great to catch up with the journalists I speak with regularly on the phone, providing an opportunity to put faces to names.

Congratulations to all of the winners and commended entrants, and thank you to the hosts and sponsors.

I will be back next year (hopefully) for another shot at winning a prestigious gong.