A NEWPORT businesswoman has been made Independent Financial Adviser Woman of the Year.

Saran Allott Davey, of Heron House Financial Management, received the award at a gala dinner in Canary Wharf, London.

The award is said to recognise the growing success of female independent financial advisers and the contribution they make to the personal finance sector as well as to the public.

Saran said: "I'm still on cloud nine. I didn't sleep the night after winning. I was so thrilled."

She and the other finalists were grilled for two rounds of judging which assessed all the skills and abilities required to be a top IFA, including technical prowess, analytical skills, professionalism, in-tegrity and self-management.

Award judge Peter Will-iams said: "Candidates were first class and the finalists have again demonstrated their claim to be at the highest level of the profession."

Award founder Fiona Price said: "Saran will be a great ambassador for us. It's an honour to meet women of such calibre.

"All those short-listed exemplify the IFA Woman of the Year. They are true all-rounders, excelling in their chosen careers.

"They contribute to the wider community and have made time for life outside work; they are down-to-earth, client-focused and at the leading edge in our sector."

Ms Allott Davey also won the special prize for best communicator, awarded by Money Marketing magazine.

As a certified financial planner, she has run her own practice in Newport for the last 10 years.

She has a team of eight people and, being a working mum, is committed to flexible working and the work/life balance.