A team member at a financial planners is celebrating achieving a key qualification.

Karen Latimer, who works at Stan Sherlock Associates, in Carlisle, has qualified as a financial adviser.

Karen achieved her diploma in regulated financial planning, a level four qualification awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute, after passing six separate exams over a one year period.

Throughout her course, Karen attended regular workshops in Newcastle, before completing an intense period of study and revision before each exam, on top of working full time in her existing role as a mortgage and protection adviser.

Karen, who lives in Carlisle, said: "I can now support my clients with every aspect of their financial plan and find solutions for their mortgage, protection and insurance needs, investments, and retirement planning.

"Offering a holistic service means I can understand the complete financial picture and help my clients achieve their goals to secure their own financial future.”

Karen joined Stan Sherlock Associates in 2014 as an administrator and Yorkshire Building Society clerk.

Chief operating officer Emma Sherlock said: “We actively encourage everyone in the Stan Sherlock Associates team to develop their careers and we offer lots of support, encouragement and guidance. The expertise and experience of our team is vital to ensure we continue to offer our clients exceptional levels of service and find the right financial solutions to suit their personal circumstances.”

Bobby Sherlock, director and practice principal, said: “We are delighted that Karen is now a qualified financial adviser and her hard work and many hours of study have been rewarded.

"She was able to build on her existing knowledge and experience to further develop her career and we can’t wait to see what she does next.”