The centre will support Guardian's domestic and overseas operations and is expected to create 60 jobs initially and up to 100 jobs within three years.

Institute of Financial Planning president Marlene Shalton FIFP CFP^CM was recently appointed managing director of Financial Planning at Guardian Wealth Management and will join the firm from 1 September having previously worked at Bluefin Wealth Management. Prior to this she had her own Financial Planning practice which she sold to Bluefin in 2007.
 
The advisory firm received an £850,000 investment from the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund towards the £1.5 million UK Financial Planning and Training Centre in Llantrisant.
 
Welsh Business Minister Edwina Hart welcomed the company to Wales. She said: “Wales is home to a dynamic and fast-growing financial and professional services sector and it is great news that Guardian Wealth Management has chosen Wales over all other possible locations for its new headquarters.
 
“Attracting head office functions to Wales is a key priority for us and I am pleased the Welsh Government is supporting the investment through the Economic Growth Fund which is helping to create jobs, growth and wealth. Guardian Wealth Management will be creating a significant number of highly skilled, well-paid jobs and is a welcome addition to one of our key sectors,” she said.



The new headquarters will create nearly 60 jobs this year, with employee numbers expected to exceed 100 in three years’ time. Guardian chief executive David Howell said the company is focusing on increasing its presence in the UK, partly driven by the implementation later this year of the Retail Distribution Review.
 
“The introduction of the RDR will have a profound and dramatic effect on the way financial services are delivered in the UK and will undoubtedly create favourable market conditions for financial planning firms that are committed to investing in people and technology.
 
“Our company intends to be the vanguard of this new dawn, providing strong innovation, thought leadership and a proposition that is second to none.”
 
He said the company is also keen to address the growing Financial Planning requirements of the large Islamic community which he feels has not been effectively delivered by other organisations in the past.

He said: “Wales provides excellent training in this field which is an important factor for us and, coupled with the talent pool from higher education, made it an excellent choice as a business location.
We appreciate the support from the Welsh Government which is proactive in helping businesses create, develop and nurture long-term sustainable jobs in Wales.”