John Shepherd, former head of UK retail discretionary sales at UBS, is to join head of sales Warren Tonkinson at Old Mutual Global Investors, FT Adviser reports.

A spokesperson declined to confirm the appointment of specific individuals when contacted by WealthBriefing, but did say that the firm was looking to strengthen its sales team.

According to the report, Shepherd will work alongside Tonkinson, who Skandia Investment Group said it was hiring in February as head of sales.

Tonkinson is reportedly a former colleague of Shepherd's at UBS, where he served as head of strategic alliances within the firm's global asset management division.

Old Mutual Global Investors is the newly-formed business - led by chief executive Julian Ide - combining Skandia Investment Group and Old Mutual Asset Managers (UK).  

Last month the firm outlined ambitious growth plans which include the expansion of its direct asset management offering and widening its product range. In particular, it is looking to tap the wholesale market and to create products for the Old Mutual Wealth business, and as such the firm will be "significantly" investing in its product development team, Ide said at the time.