The Openwork Partnership has appointed Stuart Dodson as managing director as it announced the exit of chief commercial officer Mike Morrow.
Dodson joins from Openwork member Newcastle Financial Advisers where he has been managing director since 2013. He was also chairman of Openwork’s shareholder council from April 2020.
As managing director, Dodson will spearhead the focus on strengthening relationships between partner firms and the central team.
Dodson will be supported by Liam Richards who has been promoted to strategic partner director to work with larger firms in the network from his current role as sales director at Owl Financial, Openwork’s specialist protection advice business.
Openwork said the recruitment process for a new chief commercial officer was “well advanced” to replace Morrow who is leaving in February for a new opportunity after six years at the network.
Philip Howell, chief executive of The Openwork Partnership, said: “Our senior leadership team plans have been carefully managed to achieve the right combination of complementary skills to execute our strategy.
“We are delighted to be able to appoint Stuart Dodson and Liam Richards to their new roles and continue the evolution of our leadership team. We are sorry to see Mike leave and he does so with our genuine gratitude and best wishes for the future to a new personal opportunity.”
Morrow, who was wealth and platform director, was promoted to the role of CCO in January as the business focused on expanding its wealth proposition.
The financial advice and investment network had appointed Morrow to lead on developing its proposition, wealth platform and contractual relationships with adviser firms and third parties.
Earlier this year Morrow also joined the board of adviser trade body Pimfa.
Before working at Newcastle Financial Advisers, incoming managing director Dodson worked at Legal & General and the Money Advice Service during his 22-year career in financial services.
Meanwhile Richards joined Owl Financial in 2019 and has previously worked for Nationwide, HSBC and Santander during his 27-year career.
Yesterday the Openwork Partnership announced it is joining forces with specialist broker Cura Financial Services to enhance its protection proposition.
The firm said launching Cura Financial Services to the network allows its advisers to help clients with specialist protection needs such as life, critical illness, and income protection insurance
Last week, the Openwork Partnership also launched a share programme for its partners, offering them the option to buy or sell units in the partnership.
From November 18 to December 2, this option will open for the first time and will give partners the ability to trade units in the partnership. Thereafter the trading window will open every March and September.
sonia.rach@ft.com
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