Financial Planning and wealth management group AFH has recruited two senior staff from St James’s Place to drive new growth initiatives.

Iain Rayner, former chief operating officer at SJP, will become chief commercial officer at AFH from January 2026.

James Fogarty former head of acquisition at SJP, has joined AFH this month as recruitment director, with a focus on adviser recruitment.

The pair will be involved in the firm’s planned launch of a Partnership proposition to attract owner-managed businesses.

Iain Rayner has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, 17 at SJP. He was chief operating officer from 2015, which meant establishing and maintaining relationships with its largest 50 businesses and its succession planning scheme.

James Fogarty had 14 years at SJP, ending as head of acquisition, leading a national recruitment team of 12 charged with recruiting experienced advice professionals. He specialised in identifying and onboarding large financial advisory businesses with established client banks.

Alan Hudson, AFH Founder and CEO, said: “Over 35 years, AFH has grown from a small Worcestershire-based IFA practice to a UK-wide firm with more than 200 advisers supported by 500 employees.

“We’ve had different routes for financial advisers to join us, whether employed or self-employed, plus we’ve been successfully buying advice businesses for the last two decades, including those that want to retire from the profession knowing there’s a safe home for their clients.

“We are continuing that strategy, however as we look forward, the next phase of our growth is to supplement inorganic activity and target double-digit organic growth, including developing a proposition for those that are looking to build a business."