The latest senior wealth management executive moves across Europe.

Finastra
Finastra, the firm creating a tech platform for financial businesses, has appointed Neil Blagden as chief customer officer. 

Blagden joins from Vodafone UK, where he was director of customer services, operations and digital. Prior to that, he worked at Direct Line Group as director of customer experience and conduct, progressing from his previous role as director of business services. In the early part of his career he also had front-office consulting roles at Accenture, EY and PwC working with clients from multiple sectors.

Part of the Finastra executive leadership team, Blagden is based in the company’s London office.

Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor Investment Management said yesterday that its chairman, James Brent, will leave at the end of June. The firm did not state his future plans.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with James and I am extremely grateful to him for everything he has done for Hawksmoor during his time with us. We wish him all the very best for the future,” Sarah Soar, chief executive, said. 

The firm, which operates in England, provides specialist investment and fund management. 

Anthony Deacon, a non-executive director, will act as Interim chairman until a replacement is found.

BMO Private Equity Trust
BMO Private Equity Trust has appointed Audrey Baxter and Tom Burnet as directors on its board, taking effect from yesterday. 

Baxter has a long career in business and public life. He is chairman and chief executive of W A Baxter & Sons (Holdings) and has served previously on the boards of a number of public and private companies, charities and voluntary organisations.

Burnet has had a number of senior roles in industry. He is chair of ITG, a provider of outsourced marketing technology and services to many of the UK’s and Europe’s leading retailers and household names. He is also chair of Kainos Group, the FTSE 250, Belfast-based, software company and the Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust.

Tilney
Tilney, the firm that is merging with fellow UK wealth management house Smith & Williamson, has appointed Mark Stone who is joining the team in the Bristol area as a financial planner.

Stone is an experienced financial planner who has spent over two decades in the advice profession. He joins Tilney from Whitechurch Securities where he spent 19 years, most recently as financial planning director. Prior to this he was an independent financial advisor at PensionsAdvice.

As reported earlier this week, US equity house Warburg Pincus has jumped into the merger of UK-based wealth management firms Tilney and Smith & Williamson, investing into the new entity and significantly cutting its debt burden. Under the agreement, the combined organisation will be known as Tilney Smith & Williamson. Funds advised by Warburg Pincus will co-invest in the combined business alongside funds advised by Permira.