Investment and advice firm Close Brothers Asset Management has added Paul Smith as Chartered Financial Planner based in its Manchester office.

He is dual qualified and able to advise on both investments and Financial Planning.

Mr Smith joins from Brown Shipley & Co and has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.

He advises professionals, particularly in the legal sector, and OMB clients on their affairs right through the business cycle.

He specialises in tax efficiency and cash extraction from inception, through accumulation and to partial or full exit and beyond into retirement, with ultimately estate planning for the next generation.

Before joining Close Brothers, he was a director at Brown Shipley & Co., advising HNW and UHNW private clients and entrepreneurs. He has previously worked at private banks, including Coutts & Co and accountancy firms including Mazars.

David Mellett, managing director at Close Brothers, said: “Paul’s broad and extensive experience, with the ability to advise on both investments and financial planning, will be invaluable to our regional offering across the North-West.”

Close Brothers Asset Management is part of the UK merchant banking group Close Brothers Group. It provides advice, investment management, and self-directed services to private clients and professional advisers.