A national wealth manager has opened up its thirteenth branch in the UK in Essex, saying it is filling an advice gap in the area left by the banks.

Walker Crips, the national Investment and wealth group, has set up its latest office in Brickfield House, Epping, from where it will offer a range of advice and investment services, covering execution, advisory and discretionary stockbroking services.

It will be run by investment directors Andrew Powell and Bill Newton, who are both local residents.

Each has over 15 years’ experience in the broking industry, having left Barclays’ Wealth Management in 2014 to join Walker Crips.

The company already has bases in London, Birmingham, Bristol and York.

Rodney FitzGerald, chief executive of Walker Crips, said: “With many banks withdrawing investment advisory services, our new Epping office addresses a gap in the market for local residents.”

Bill Newton, investment director at Walker Crips, said: “Being at the heart of our client base will allow us to build better relationships, enabling us provide an investment service that can be attuned to suit each individual’s needs.”

The company also announced two new recruits. It has appointed Holly Ward and Edward Lester, as investment managers with immediate effect.

Based in its City of London head office, both join from Charles Stanley where they worked as investment managers.

Ms Ward has over a decade of experience, beginning her career at Charles Stanley in 2004 as a graduate trainee while Mr Lester joined the firm in 2007, having previously worked at the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman.

Their appointments expand the existing team in offering a range of investment services to private clients, including discretionary, advisory and execution only.

Rodney FitzGerald, chief executive of Walker Crips, said: “We continue to seek high-calibre advisers as we grow our client base. Holly and Edward are both very talented individuals whose proven knowledge and experience will complement the existing team in providing a first-class service to our clients.”