Wealth manager Quilter has appointed Cat McInally as tax and trust specialist for the north of the UK and launched a new 12-member servicing team focused on supporting advisers with trusts and onshore bond planning.
McInally joins Quilter with more than 20 years of financial services experience, most recently serving as an investment specialist at M&G Wealth. She previously spent 17 years at Prudential Assurance in a range of client-focused roles.
Based in the north of the UK, McInally will report to Roddy Munro, head of technical sales at Quilter. She joins an eight-person team dedicated to supporting advisers with complex tax and trust planning through workshops, events, and one-to-one consultations.
The appointment coincides with the creation of a new 12-strong servicing team focused specifically on trusts and onshore bonds. The team, composed of experienced professionals from Quilter’s existing trust and bond division, will assist advisers and clients from application through the full lifecycle of a bond.
The expansion follows a recent Quilter poll of over 400 financial advisers, which revealed that 80% are seeking more information on inheritance tax and trusts. Additionally, 58% are looking for help with reframing pensions in light of upcoming inheritance tax (IHT) changes, while 52% expressed interest in deeper insights into onshore bond strategies.
Recent changes to capital gains tax allowances, frozen tax thresholds, and the broader impact of fiscal drag have increased demand for technical guidance. The new teams aim to help advisers navigate these complexities and structure client wealth more effectively.
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Roddy Munro, head of technical sales at Quilter, said: “We are delighted to welcome Cat to Quilter as we continue to strengthen our technical support for advisers. Her expertise in investments, tax, and trust planning makes her a valuable addition to our team, ensuring advisers have access to the highest level of specialist knowledge. With tax rules becoming increasingly complex and estate planning evolving, advisers need strong technical support to help their clients make informed financial decisions. Cat’s appointment is part of our broader strategy to bolster our expertise and enhance the guidance we provide.
The establishment of a dedicated trust and bond servicing team underscores our commitment to providing advisers with top-tier servicing expertise and support. This initiative is crucial as advisers adapt to shifting tax rules, including the upcoming inclusion of pensions within IHT and the growing demand for tax-efficient strategies.
We are already witnessing a pivot towards trusts and onshore bonds, driven by these changes. Our role is to ensure advisers receive the technical support necessary to navigate these complexities confidently, enabling them to deliver the best possible outcomes for their clients. This is now supported by specialist service and administration expertise.”
Cat McInally, added: “I’m excited to join Quilter’s highly regarded technical team and support advisers in delivering expert tax and trust planning. With legislative changes continuing to shape the financial landscape, I look forward to working closely with advisers to help them provide clarity and confidence to their clients.”
