Nucleus Financial, the UK-based independent financial advisor, has appointed Standard Life’s Aileen Mathieson as chief financial officer, succeeding Neil Howitt, who has assumed a consultancy role with the business.

In her new role Ms Mathieson will be responsible for overseeing the financial affairs of the business, Nucleus said in a statement. She will also be a board member and will be working alongside David Ferguson, the firm’s chief executive, and Paul Branshaw, its chairman.

Ms Mathieson was previously chief operating officer at Standard Life Savings, UK platforms, with responsibility for the execution of platform strategy. Ms Mathieson also held the post of head of business performance and finance change at Standard Life Investments.

“With over 60 high quality member-IFA firms signed up and using the platform, record inflows taking assets over the £1 billion mark and break-even imminent, the business is entering another important and exciting stage of its development and growth. Having Aileen on board will not only help ensure our ambitions stay on track but that they do so in the most effective and efficient way possible,” said Mr Ferguson.

In other recent developments, in September last year, Nucleus Financial launched a free online capital gains tax calculator for its business platform.