UK wealth manager Charles Stanley has joined the array of firms that have expanded their operations to Northern Ireland.
The company has opened its first office in the country with a team in Belfast.
It increases the number of Charles Stanley locations around the UK to 27.
Andrew Meigh, managing director of financial planning at Charles Stanley, said: “This new office now gives Charles Stanley overall coverage of the UK for the first time.
“It follows on from our successful office opening in Glasgow earlier in the month and demonstrates delivery of our continued growth plans.
“Belfast has been highlighted as one of the UK’s fastest-growing financial services hubs and we see significant opportunity there.”
Operation
Charles Stanley’s Belfast office will be jointly headed up by newly appointed directors of financial planning Alexandra Price and Neil Torney, who have both joined from Tilney.
They report into John Redpath, executive director of financial planning in Edinburgh.
Price worked at Tilney for three years as a financial planner, where she advised high net worth clients and worked with solicitors and accountants.
Torney worked for Tilney for over eight years as a chartered financial planner, where he specialised in cashflow modelling, use of trusts, inheritance tax and estate planning, retirement income generation and investment solutions.
The firm is currently recruiting for additional financial planners with two people waiting to start.
Northern Ireland craze
As reported by International Adviser, there has been growing interest in Northern Ireland.
Financial planning business Tilney, Standard Life’s advice firm 1825 and wealth manager Mattioli Woods all expanded their business in the country in the last 12 months.
IA has also spoken to both Mattioli Woods and Fairstone about the craze.
Brexit poses a big question for many wealth firms and there is a possibility that this sudden interest into Northern Ireland stems from companies hedging their bets on the rejection of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
