Given the proliferation of ‘reality’ TV shows seeking everything from the next West End star to Alan Sugar’s Mini-Me, it is probably only a matter of time before somebody launches Investment Idol – The Search for the Next Warren Buffett. Until this happens , however, those members of the investing public who wish to vote to acknowledge the best financial services providers have the next best thing – the What investment Readers’ Awards.

Earlier this year, we asked the readers of What Investment and the users of www.whatinvestment.co.uk to indicate which companies they considered provided the best products and services in 12 different categories – Best Unit Trust/OEIC Provider, Best Investment Trust Provider, Best Sharedealing Service, Best Pension Provider, Best SIPP Provider, Best Discretionary Wealth Manager, Best Cash ISA Provider, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Provider, Best Property Finance Provider, Best Children’s Investment Provider, Best Savings Account and Best Financial Product Provider Website.

The winners will be announced in the August issue of What Investment, but here we publish the shortlists showing the top six providers in each category – in alphabetical order. What makes the What Investment Readers’ Awards significant is that they are determined by you, the readers. We give no selections for you to choose from – the companies listed are there because they have attracted the greatest number of spontaneously solicited votes from our readers.

WHAT INVESTMENT READERS’ AWARDS 2008 – THE SHORTLISTS

Best Unit Trust/OEIC Provider
Fidelity
Invesco Perpetual
Jupiter
M&G
Neptune
New Star

Best Investment Trust Provider
Aberdeen Asset Managers
Alliance Trust
Baillie Gifford
F&C Management
Henderson Global Investors
JPMorgan Asset Management

Best Sharedealing Service
Barclays
Halifax
Hargreaves Lansdown
Hoodless Brennan
Selftrade
The Share Centre

Best Pension Provider
Alliance Trust
Legal & General
Norwich Union
Prudential
Scottish Widows
Standard Life

Best SIPP Provider
Alliance Trust
Capita
Dentons
Fidelity
Hargreaves Lansdown
Standard Life

Best Discretionary Wealth Manager
Barclays
Close Investments
Coutts & Co
Fisher Wealth Management
Rensburg Sheppards
St. James’s Place

Best Cash ISA Provider
Barclays
Birmingham Midshires
Halifax
Kent Reliance
National Savings
Nationwide

Best Stocks And Shares ISA Provider
Aberdeen Asset Managers
Alliance Trust
Baillie Gifford
Fidelity
Invesco Perpetual
Jupiter

Best Property Finance Provider
Abbey
Chelsea BS
Halifax
HSBC
Nationwide
Norwich Union

Best Children’s Investment Provider
Baillie Gifford
Children’s Mutual
F&C Management
Halifax
Invesco Perpetual
Witan

Best Savings Account
Anglo Irish Bank
Birmingham Midshires
Coventry BS
Halifax
Icesave
Nationwide

Best Financial Product Provider Website
Aberdeen Asset Managers
Barclays
Fidelity
M&G
Share
Virgin Money