Sesamie Bankhall, which says it is the UK’s largest appointed representative network supporting financial advisors, is launching a new unit to support ventures including a new investment platform later this year.

The new unit will be headed by the firm’s chief operating officer Stephen Young, Sesamie Bankhall said. Young is stepping down from the COO role but will continue to report to Ivan Martin, executive chairman, and is a member of the firm’s board.

The new COO will be George Higginson, who joins the firm early next year.

In his previous role, Higginson was a founding director at Intrinsic, an IFA network, as well as chairman of the Mint IFA Network.

Among other moves, Keith Gilmour has been appointed as business development director, joining in October. He joins from Positive Solutions, an IFA, where he was marketing director.