Collins Stewart, the UK financial advisory and wealth management group, has appointed Gary Colley as investment director at its Isle of Man branch.

Colley joins Collins Stewart from Thomas Miller where he was previously head of private wealth.

Neil Darke, head of wealth management, identified the hire as part of the three-pronged approach to double the group’s assets in less than two years. This approach is comprised of organic growth, recruitment, and acquisition.

Collins Stewart has said it aims to increase its assets under management from £5.9 billion ($8.8 billion) to £10 billion by 2012.

Colley’s appointment follows Collins Stewart’s acquisition of Corazon Capital Group last week, as previously reported by Wealth Briefing. As of 28 February 2010 Corazon managed £382 million in assets, most of which are managed on a discretionary basis.