The new venture is to be based in Leeds in the north of England and will initially involve around 25 people, including seven specialist advisors backed by a team of operations staff and technical assistants. 

Robert Morse, private office senior partner, said: “Our aim is simply to be the best. We are focused on competing in the private banking sector and offer a fee-based solution for our client’s needs. Our independence, experience and quality of service are proving highly attractive to wealthy clients and their professional advisers, whose financial affairs are often highly complex. The private office pools the skills and knowledge of some of AWD’s most experienced advisors and we operate as a distinct boutique within the AWD Chase de Vere family.”

The stand-alone business will offer fee-based services to high net worth clients, but is also intended to improve efficiency by offering services to other advisors within the firm. 

Mike Kirsch, AWD Chase de Vere wealth management chief executive, said: “The private office is a valuable new business move that compliments our existing advisory proposition, and I am pleased to see our advisors collaborating on this initiative in such a positive way.”