Punter Southall Aspire has completed its first hire after acquiring three advice businesses in the past year, filling the role of director of financial planning with an adviser from Hargreaves Lansdown.
Richard Cole, who spent seven years as a financial adviser at Hargreaves, will work out of Punter Southall Aspire’s Bedford office.
Punter Southall Aspire bought Bedfordshire-based JDP Financial Services in October of last year, having acquired Focus Oxford LLP earlier in 2018.
The advice firm completed a hat-trick of acquisitions when it bought Coleman Financial Services, a Dorset-based firm, at the start of this year.
Prior to his role at Hargreaves, Mr Cole worked at NatWest Bank for ten years as a private financial planning provider.
He will work with the Bedford financial planning team to provide financial advice to clients, work with introducers and support the firm’s consultants.
Mr Cole said: “Punter Southall Aspire is ambitious, innovative and fast growing and there are many opportunities to support its future growth and expansion.
“This new role will allow me to build close relationships with our clients and gain a thorough understanding of their financial needs and situations so I can help them achieve their financial goals.”
Peter Selby, managing director of retail advice, said the firm was delighted to have someone of Mr Cole’s calibre join the team, adding he would be a “great asset” to the business.
He said the firm was anticipating “major growth” over the coming years in the advice market.
Mr Cole is a Chartered financial planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.
imogen.tew@ft.com
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