Old Mutual Wealth has appointed Darren Smith as the new head of its not-for-profit organisation Financial Adviser School (FAS), which it acquired from the Sesame Bankhall Group earlier in February 2016.
Smith will report to Old Mutual Wealth chief distribution officer Richard Freeman.
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He joined Old Mutual Wealth’s Intrinsic network in 2013, initially responsible for developing the restricted investment proposition and later working on multiple projects such as the acquisition and transition of Sesame’s Wealth advisers in 2015.
Smith said: "Trust between advisers and their clients is crucial. The Financial Adviser School therefore has a duty to ensure that future financial advisers are not just fully qualified, but truly focussed on delivering good customer outcomes throughout the advice and ongoing service process. "I’m committed to developing a proposition that will bring new advisers into the industry, able to deliver quality financial advice that existing and new customers can really trust."
"The Financial Adviser School is a big investment from Old Mutual Wealth and a real demonstration of our commitment to supporting high quality, professional face-to-face advice. We are delighted that Darren has accepted the role as head of the Financial Adviser School, having managed the acquisition and transition of the School over the last nine months. His experience and enthusiasm will ensure the School achieves its aim of developing the next generation of financial advisers," Freeman said.
The school supports students to secure the qualifications and skills to become financial advisers, particularly level 4 financial planning qualifications. Old Mutual said that the school will seek trainees from outside the industry to support firms with the recruitment of new advisers, and will also support firms to upskill existing staff.
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