The firm says it is keen to increase the number of advisors it employs during this year, and has been actively interviewing and assessing ex-employees from Barclays since the banking giant announced the closure of its financial advice operations in January.

Among the 20 new hires, AWD Chase de Vere appointed Dave Fishlock as a senior manager in its Newcastle office, Steve Hearn as a senior manager in Manchester and Andrew Pacey as a senior manager in Cambridge.

In addition, five advisors joined the company in Newcastle, eight in Manchester, three in Cambridge and one in Birmingham.

In related news, the firm promoted Andy Papadopolous, director of advisory services; Phil Andrews, sales performance director; Peter Russell, company secretary; Param Basi, technical director; and Daniel Baade, head of management information and corporate development, to its executive team in October following a review of its senior management structure.