Charles Stanley, the London-listed investment management and stockbroking firm, has hired former Coutts man James Rawlingson as group finance director, replacing Peter Hurst who is to retire.

Rawlingson was latterly chief financial officer at the wealth division of Coutts. He has also worked at UBS in a number of roles including executive director and chief financial officer of UBS Wealth Management, UK and North and Eastern Europe.

Hurst spent 24 years at the firm and his retirement takes effect on 29 July 2011.

In other recent news earlier this month Charles Stanley reported a 30.1 per cent year-on-year rise in pre-tax profits to £13.4 million (about $21.4 million). In May Charles Stanley Group acquired the regional UK firm Jobson James Financial Services to enhance its presence in the Midlands.