National Financial Planning group Perspective has hired Kevin Homfray as acquisitions director.

The new senior level appointment reports to David Hesketh, group finance director, and the firm says it “will be instrumental in further delivering the group’s ambitious acquisitions plans”.

Perspective has made 34 acquisitions since it was founded in 2008, including three in 2019, with more planned.

The group’s latest acquisition was of east London Financial Planner Thornton Springer Financial Services LLP, provided Perspective with a London office for the first time.

Perspective now has 15 offices in the UK, including London, Eastbourne, Marlborough, Chesham, Chester, Chorley and Newcastle upon Tyne.

The firm intends to merge established financial advisory firms with its existing offices, as well as opening new locations in selected areas.

Mr Homfray, who is an accountant by background, has held senior roles in financial services for more than15 years, most recently as financial director and head of acquisitions for Newell Palmer, where he led the acquisition of over 50 IFA business purchases.

Ian Wilkinson, group managing director, said: “We welcome Kevin to our team.

“Our aim is to become the leading provider of Financial Planning and wealth management advice in the UK, both through organic growth and further acquisitions, and to be the consolidator of choice for IFA’s looking to retire and exit the industry.

“We believe our offering for this is very compelling with our strong client-centric, ethical approach providing an excellent home for the retiring IFA’s clients, and our appealing deal structure.

“The firms we acquire consistently comment they like how we work, they respect our professional approach and can see how their clients and their business will benefit from the group’s additional expertise and greater resources.

“Our average adviser age is ten years below the industry average, and with a well- established in-house Training Academy, we have good succession plans in place for our adviser teams.”

Mr Homfray said: “I chose to work for Perspective for three reasons – firstly, I liked all the people I met there, which confirms what other people in the industry said.

“Working with like-minded people is very important.

“Secondly, Perspective’s vision and the opportunity the group sees for growth is clear and very motivating.

“Thirdly, Perspective has a great client proposition and a reputation for handling acquisitions well which is critical to my role.

“I am thoroughly looking forward to being part of the group.”