Global advice firm deVere announced plans to expand further around the world, claiming it will see a 25 per cent growth in business next year.
Nigel Green, the founder and chief executive of deVere, said the firm would be focusing on expanding into emerging markets including Africa and Asia.
He said: “We’re expecting, and therefore now planning for, a 25 per cent increase in business next year due to the consistently increasing demand for specialist cross-border financial advice.
“International financial services is a growing market because the world is becoming increasingly globalised.
“Next year we intend to expand in all regions in which we currently operate.
“In addition, and, after much industry speculation, we have recently confirmed our launch in Australia. However, our particular focus for next year will be in the emerging markets.”
Mr Green said there was “huge potential” in countries such as Russia, India and China and added the firm is looking to increase its presence in Africa by opening in Nigeria and expanding in the countries in which it already does business.
DeVere Group is the world’s largest independent financial advice firm, with more than $10bn (£6.4bn) of funds under advice and administration, and more than 80,000 clients around the globe. It specialises in providing advice to expatriates and international investors.
Mr Green said that although the firm now has to contend with more regulation, it was able to adapt its business model accordingly.
“Enhancing regulatory requirements typically means more exams for wealth management professionals,” he said. “This means we employ more specialist trainers, and invest more resources in online training facilities and materials.
“In a broader sense, evolving to changing regulatory environments means becoming more efficient; more streamlined.”
He said deVere has rolled out bespoke paraplanning technology which was six months in development.
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Last month deVere announced plans to launch an office in Australia.
The company has confirmed it plans to open in Melbourne followed by Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.
DeVere has also recently launched an investment strategy division, which is being headed up by Tom Elliott.
