Chartered Financial Planning firm Attivo has appointed two new directors to boost growth for the firm in 2023.

Steve Pennington has joined the firm as Financial Planning director, while Stephen Heylings has been appointed finance director.

Mr Pennington has joined the firm from WH Ireland where he was head of wealth planning. He has also held positions at Arbuthnot Latham & Co and Barclays Wealth Management.

He holds Chartered Fellowships with both the PFS and CISI and is a pension transfer specialist. He will lead the Financial Planning business with a brief to expand its client base and expand the offering to clients. He will report to chairman Stephen Harper.

Mr Pennington said: “The planning landscape is shifting, with requirements and expectations of clients evolving at speed. This makes it a hugely interesting time but one that also offers real opportunities for those agile businesses that are ready lead from the front.”

Mr Heylings has worked for a range of FTSE 100 organisations and high-growth SMEs, including several roles with a focus on mergers and acquisitions.

Stephen Harper, chairman at Attivo, said: “Steve Pennington is an accomplished practitioner, holding Chartered Fellowships with both the PFS and CISI and is a Pension Transfer Specialist. He has high-level management and leadership experience from a range of wealth planning and wealth management businesses.

"With a passion for lifestyle financial planning, exceptional client service and a real commitment to the personal development and success of Financial Planners and developing professionalism in the sector, he is an exemplary addition to our talented team. And in Stephen Heylings we have someone whose skillset and experience perfectly match the direction in which we aim to take this business.

"We have huge ambitions for Attivo as we enter the new year, and the expertise, energy, and passion within the business mean that we are expertly placed to achieve them. 2023 is going to be a hugely exciting year.”

Attivo has acquired over 40 Financial Planning businesses since launch in 2005. The firm is headquartered in Cheltenham, with offices in London, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Darlington and Portsmouth.