National advice firm Chase de Vere has said it is looking to swell its adviser ranks through targeted acquisitions of firms, as well as a recruitment drive of individuals.
Chase de Vere, which is owned by Swiss Life, already has more than 200 advisers across the country. It posted profits of £4m for the year ending 31 December 2014, after losing £1.8m the previous year.
Patrick Connolly, head of communications at the London-based company, said Chase de Vere has an acquisition growth strategy, but no set targets and is not interested in “growing for the sake of growing”.
The company would prefer to have the right advisers in place rather than grow quickly, he said.
“We look for advisers who want to be independent rather than restricted, our view is that there are a lot of advisers who are like that. We can see advisers wanting to leave the industry and either doing that over a few years or selling their client bank.
“The sunset clause is likely to be a pretty big factor on that, just like RDR was.”
He also said Chase de Vere is willing to train those who join the firm as administrators and paraplanners but who are interested in becoming advisers.
Mr Connolly added Chase de Vere would be focusing on face-to-face financial advice rather than any robo-advice strategy. “It is what our clients want and it is what our advisers want to be doing.”
Last year Chase de Vere opened a larger premises in Newcastle as it expanded its business in the north east. It also opened a new Glasgow office at the end of 2014 as part of its planned expansion in Scotland.
