Wealth manager and Financial Planner Tilney Smith & Williamson has appointed former Saunderson House Financial Planner James Weston to its London team.

Chartered Financial Planner Mr Weston was formerly at Saunderson House for six years. Over his tenure, which started as a trainee, he advised a range of high net worth and professional clients.

Prior to embarking on his career as a financial adviser, Mr Weston spent three years as a teacher of Latin and Classics having graduated from the University of Oxford with a Classics degree in 2012.

Emma Sterland, regional managing director (London) at Tilney Smith & Williamson, said: “As we continue to see increased demand for our Financial Planning services, we are committed to bringing the best possible talent to the business to work with our clients. James brings considerable Financial Planning experience and I know he will be a great asset to our growing team.” 

On Tuesday Tilney Smith & Williamson reported a 132% increase in profits to the first half of 2021. 

Gross new business inflows of £3.2bn (H1 2020: £1.4bn) represented 12.5% of opening assets (on an annualised basis).

Assets under management increased 7% from the end of 2020 to £54.8bn to over double the £25.6bn recorded by Tilney before the acquisition of Smith & Williamson.

Group operating income increased 157.5% to £261.9m (H1 2020: £101.7m) with Smith & Williamson contributing £139.1m of operating income during H1 2021 following on from the merger in 2020. On a pro forma basis, operating income increased by 5.9% (H1 2020 pro forma: £247.2m).

The financial services segment (including Financial Planning) generated £203.7m of operating income (H1 2020: £101.7m). The professional services segment, created following the acquisition of Smith & Williamson, generated £51.3m. The fund administration segment, also created following the acquisition of Smith & Williamson, generated £6.8m of operating income.

Net new business inflows were £1bn (H1 2020: £0.4bn), representing 3.9% of opening assets on an annualised basis.