Evelyn PartnersOct 26 2021

Tilney Smith & Williamson appoints financial planner from Aviva

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Tilney Smith & Williamson appoints financial planner from Aviva
Neil Thornton, financial planner at Tilney Smith & Williamson

Tilney Smith & Williamson has appointed Aviva's Neil Thornton to its Exeter office as a financial planner. 

The appointment forms part of the firm’s expansion in the West Country and follows the appointment of Will Matthewman as an investment manager, also in its Exeter office.

Thornton joins Tilney Smith & Williamson with 25 years' financial services experience, having most recently worked at Aviva as a financial adviser in Devon and Cornwall for the past three and a half years. 

Prior to that he worked in the region for HSBC Retail Banking & Wealth Management, as well as Banco Santander. 

He said: “I am delighted to be joining Tilney Smith & Williamson’s Exeter office as a financial planner. The company has an excellent reputation and an outstanding track record in providing its clients with quality, bespoke financial advice and supported by a high calibre investment management team. 

“I am very excited to be starting the next chapter of my career with such a professional team.”

In his new role, Thornton’s work revolves around servicing private client relationships as well as business development with key introducers.

He specialises in investment, retirement planning and estate planning advice for private clients, working closely with an investment manager to ensure the risk and objectives of portfolios meet the needs of his clients.

Mark Wilkins, managing partner of Tilney Smith & Williamson’s Exeter office, said: “I am very pleased to be able to welcome Neil to our growing financial planning team in Exeter. Neil brings extensive experience gained from working at a number of well-known financial services businesses and I know he will be a great asset to our clients across the West Country.”

He added: “We see a considerable opportunity to continue to expand our team in Exeter given the growing demand we are seeing for our financial planning and investment management services in the region. 

“The feedback we receive time and time again from clients is that they enjoy working with experienced professionals who they can meet with locally and so we continue to be on the lookout for more great talent in the region interested in joining our team.” 

Last week, Tilney Smith & Williamson agreed terms for a new office in Cardiff as it looks to develop its client base in Wales.

The group’s new office at Brunel House in Fitzalan Road comes as the firm's lease on its old office expired last year during lockdown.

sonia.rach@ft.com

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