The former director of Financial Planning at Tilney Bestinvest is among five senior former staff who have teamed up with Bestinvest's founder John Spiers for his new venture.
Mr Spiers has recruited six new staff for his new investment service EQ, including the quintet from his old business, and described it as bagging a "crack team".
Katharine Lindley, previously director of Financial Planning at Bestinvest, is one of the key appointments.
The IFP's 2014 Paraplanner of the Year Award winner Daniel Atkinson, is a member of EQ's technical consultants team.

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The EQ website, announcing the new employees, stated: "EQ is delighted to announce a number of senior hires to support the launch of a new bespoke investment service aimed at private clients, companies and charities with lump sums of £750,000 or more.
"The new service, which will be launched in May, builds on EQ's already successful investment process and allows much greater customisation of portfolios to cater for individual client preferences and tax optimisation.
"The new service will be supported by a highly experienced specialist team, which has been recruited in recent weeks."

The new staff recruits are:
• Mike Neumann – Previously director of investment management at Bestinvest
• Daniel Bland – Previously investment manager at Quilter Cheviot
• Andrew Rees – Previously associate director and investment manager at Bestinvest
• Katharine Lindley – Previously director of financial planning at Bestinvest and multiple prize winner
• Sophie Muller – Previously associate director and fund research analyst at Bestinvest
• Kate West – Previously senior investment administrator at Bestinvest