Former head of investment strategy at Brooks Macdonald and Moola founder Gemma Godfrey has joined Independent Wealth Planners as non-executive director overseeing investment management and consumer insight.

In the newly created role Ms Godfrey will chair IWP's group investment management division.

A former head of investment strategy at wealth manager Brooks Macdonald, Ms Godfrey is also currently advising the Money & Pensions Service on its 10-year strategy to improve UK financial wellbeing.

She launched Times Money Mentor for News UK and is a consumer champion on ITV's Good Morning Britain and Sky News.

{loadposition hidden2)

Ms Godfrey founded online personal finance firm Moola and was an advisor to Arnold Schwarzenegger on the New Celebrity Apprentice.

David Inglesfield, IWP CEO, said: “I am thrilled that Gemma is joining the team, she will represent the voice of the customer for IWP, helping to ensure we place client interests front and centre of everything we do.”

“IWP is a business which is built from the bottom up around the excellent commitment to client service of our local firms. Gemma’s track record as a consumer champion will help us build on this strong heritage as we continue to grow the business.”

Ms Godfrey said: “I’m excited to get stuck in at IWP as we build a service to help people afford the future they want for their families. I was drawn to IWP’s commitment to clients and approach to delivering a personal service. Post-pandemic, people’s priorities will continue to shift towards building the finances to support a more flexible working life. I look forward to ensuring the voice of the customer is heard and that they remain central to the business as it grows.”

IWP has been having a busy year.  In August, the group added Milton Keynes based Financial Planning firm Carnelian Capital Management to their Hertfordshire hub. This was shortly off the heels of the acquisition of London Financial Planner Clairville York Financial Advisers.

In February IWP bought its seventh business and its first in Scotland, Financial Planner AGL Wealth Management and Wigan-based Chartered Financial Planners Prosper Wealth Management.

Mr Inglesfield spoke exclusively to Financial Planning Today about his plans for the business and his tips for growing a Financial Planning Business as part of a feature for the next edition of Financial Planning Today magazine. Subscribe today to make sure you receive a copy.