The latest moves and appointments for wealth management roles in the UK, other parts of Europe, the Middle East and select international locations.

Blackfinch Asset Management
UK-based Blackfinch Asset Management, part of the Blackfinch Group, has appointed Ryan Hughes as executive business development manager. His hire will strengthen advisor support as more financial planning firms are seeking outsourced portfolio solutions that fit their advice process and service model, the firm said in a statement.

Hughes will help drive growth of Blackfinch AM’s Tailored Portfolio Service (TPS) and Managed Portfolio Service (MPS) by working with financial planning firms across Wales, the Cotswolds and the South-West of England. His experience will help advisors with adoption, servicing and practical day-to-day support.

Hughes, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial sector, most recently he served as head of business development at Walker Crips Investment Management. He was responsible for supporting advisors with bespoke portfolio construction, structured investments and decumulation strategies. He began his career in the commodity markets, before moving into asset management distribution in 2012. At Rowan Dartington, Hughes played a key role in building and growing its discretionary fund management distribution and later supported the successful integration of the business into St James’s Place, the firm said.

Alongside his distribution career, Hughes also founded Play-Ex Sports, a digital platform created to help sports professionals access key support services. The business went on to support more than 600 sports professionals across the UK, reflecting Ryan’s entrepreneurial mindset and his ability to build propositions that solve real problems.

“Ryan is a strong addition to the team, and his experience will make an immediate difference,” Mark Keogh, head of asset management distribution at Blackfinch, said. “With the continued growth of our tailored portfolio solutions, Ryan's experience and advisor-first mindset will help us further support planning firms across the region with the practical, day-to-day help that makes a real difference.”