Wealth manager Mattioli Woods has hired Sheelagh Bailey as chief information officer.
She joins from Investec Wealth & Investment UK with a remit to drive the digital transformation of the firm, simplifying processes and improving the advice team’s access to tools and information.
Ms Bailey will report to CEO Peter Mann.
Mr Mann said that technology was one of the biggest differentiators between advice firms.
He said: “Technology is one of the biggest opportunities in our industry today - not to replace the human relationships at the heart of great advice, but to strengthen them. I’m excited about the contribution Sheelagh will make as we continue to build a business that combines exceptional people with cutting-edge technology.”
Ms Bailey said: “What attracted me most was the opportunity to join a business with a strong client-first culture and a genuine commitment to investing in its people. Technology should make work simpler, not more complicated."
Mattioli Woods, which also has a large SIPP and SSAS business, was founded in 1991. It offers Financial Planning and employee benefits services to individuals, families, business owners and corporate clients across the UK.
Mattioli Woods has more than 30,000 clients itself and provides professional advice to individuals, families and businesses. It also provides SIPPs and SSAS and inheritance tax and estate planning. It employs over 200 financial advisers across more than 40 nationwide offices.
Kingswood, which itself acquired more than 20 financial advice firms, hit the buffers in recent years and needed several cash injections to repay loans. At one stage Kingswood had to warn that it could run out of money to service its £91m debt pile.
Mattioli Woods is managed and advised by private equity group Pollen Street Capital.