Provider Westbridge Ssas has recruited three new executives to “further strengthen” its capacity for expansion in the small self administered schemes market.
The provider has appointed a head of client experience, group financial controller and regional sales director as it looks to further grow the business.
This recruitment drive follows last week's (March 9) acquisition of James Hay’s Ssas book adding more than 1,000 schemes, 48 employees and more than £1bn in assets under administration.
Wayne Barlow has filled the position of head of client experience, joining the company from his most recent role as operations director at James Hay.
He has also previously held senior executive roles at Rowanmoor Ssas, Axa Wealth and Winterthur.
Barlow will help oversee the transition of James Hay Ssas to Westbridge Ssas and improve the introducer and client experience through investment in people, technology and process.
In addition, Rocky Leanders has joined as group financial controller having previously held similar roles at Next and Lands End Europe.
Meanwhile, Nick White has been appointed as regional sales director for the North of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, with plans to expand distribution and service to financial advisers in these regions.
He joins from Embark Group. Prior to this White was with Rowanmoor Ssas, Zurich & Axa.
Nathan Bridgeman, co-founder and director of Westbridge Group and Westbridge Ssas said: “Collectively they bring significant experience and competence to our growing business.
“Having them join us is further evidence of Westbridge Ssas’ attractiveness to ‘hungry’ talent in our changing marketplace - and our ability to attract quality people from within our competitor universe.”
WestBridge Group is made up of three subsidiaries - Westbridge Ssas, Westbridge Tax and Westbridge Trustees.
The shake up of the business comes after the provider saw a “substantial increase” in switches to Ssas, experiencing a 20 per cent increase in June 2020 alone.
amy.austin@ft.com
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