Stephen Wildgoose has left Sesame to head up Sesame’s recruitment and growth director.
Mr Wildgoose, whose career in financial services spans almost 30 years, will direct the expansion of Openwork’s existing regional recruitment teams and introduce new appointed representative practices and advisers to the network.
He previously worked at Sesame Bankhall Group for more than 11 years, leaving the group as head of network recruitment in January this year.
Mr Wildgoose will report to Openwork’s mortgage director John Cupis.
Mr Cupis left Sesame Bankhall Group, where he was managing director for mortgages, in 2015.
He left just as Sesame Bankhall was pulling out of wealth to focus solely on mortgages.
Mr Wildgoose’s move to rival Openwork comes at a time of significant growth for the network and wider group.
Openwork announced in July that it had exceeded 3,000 advisers for the first time in its history despite a long-term decline in the number of advisers working in the UK market.
Mr Cupis said: “Stephen’s experience and expertise will prove invaluable as we look to build on the growth of the network through the recruitment of high-quality advice practices and advisers committed to providing their clients with the best possible outcomes.”
Mr Wildgoose said: “Openwork is a profitable and expanding business with a compelling proposition and a clear strategy for sustainable growth.
“With a unique structure that gives both new and existing advisers a pathway to ownership of the business; Openwork stands apart in the market.
“I look forward to working with John and the senior management team and contributing to the continued success of the business.”
emma.hughes@ft.com
