Starting in the newly-created role on 1 July, Chris Skelhorn will be tasked with developing relationships with advisers, creating and maintaining business partnerships, and will also be responsible for the platform’s sales and marketing operations.
Skelhorn’s new appointment succeeds his six-year track record managing Novia Financial’s South and South West sales division. He has more than 25 years’ experience in financial services, having worked for life companies such as Norwich Union and Zurich.
“We are already seeing evidence of a shift in the global landscape towards the post-RDR retail market in the UK,” said Skelhorn. “Advisers dealing in the expat market are increasingly demanding access to transparent, multi-currency, online investment solutions to suit their clients’ needs.
“The level of online capability and breadth of investment which the new platform will offer is almost unprecedented in these markets and I am excited to be part of the team helping to bring this to market.”
“Advisers dealing in the expat market are increasingly demanding access to transparent, multi-currency, online investment solutions to suit their clients’ needs"
Novia Global, which is owned by UK-based Novia Financial and its investors, will offer advisers and trustees access to a range of discretionary fund managers at a reduced cost. It will also facilitate adviser tools such as portfolio modelling, performance analysis, online servicing and documentation for client trustee reporting.
Huge asset
Skelhorn will report to Novia Global’s chief executive, Bill Vasilieff, who said the business’s new distribution boss will be a “huge asset” to the growing team due to his “strong commercial and sales experience” and his “deep understanding of the advisory platform market”.
Additional management appointments are expected to be announced in coming months ahead of the platform launch at the end of summer.
Novia Global will provide access to investment funds, ETFs, structured products, currency and direct equities. It will also include a gross investment account and qualified recognised overseas pension schemes (QROPS) at launch.
