UK wealth manager Evelyn Partners has strengthened its financial planning capabilities in London and the North West with two hires.
The firm has appointed Gurdeep Saini as director in financial planning in its London office and Robert Skilling as director in financial planning in Knutsford, Cheshire.
The appointments are intended to enhance the firm’s ‘total wealth management’ advice model, under which clients are supported jointly by a financial planner and an investment manager.
Saini brings more than 25 years of wealth management and private banking experience gained across the UK and Canada. She joined from Santander Private Banking in the UK, where she spent 17 years advising high net worth clients on complex financial planning requirements.
She will support clients in achieving long-term financial objectives while adapting strategies to reflect evolving personal and financial circumstances.
Skilling joined the Knutsford office with more than three decades of experience in financial services, spanning wealth management and private banking. In addition to advising clients, he has held leadership roles and mentored emerging planners throughout his career.
He joined from RBC Brewin Dolphin, where he spent eight years advising private clients. At Evelyn Partners, he will also lead the local financial planning team, strengthening the firm’s presence in the North West.
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Luke Brooks, regional managing partner at Evelyn Partners, said: “I am delighted to welcome Gurdeep to our financial planning team in London. Her depth of experience and expertise will strengthen our advisory capabilities as we continue to grow our Total Wealth Management proposition in the market. The impact of having a dedicated financial planner working closely with an investment manager is extremely powerful, enabling clients to benefit from a fully integrated and highly personalised service that supports every aspect of their financial lives and helps them achieve their goals.”
Gurdeep added: “I’m excited to take on this new challenge at Evelyn Partners. Contributing to the firm’s strategic growth ambitions, working alongside high-calibre colleagues and delivering exceptional outcomes for clients aligns closely with my experience and values. I’m particularly looking forward to building on the excellent work the firm has already done to support women as they grow their wealth over the course of their lives. Helping women navigate the unique financial challenges they can encounter, take control of their money and embrace what’s next is something that strongly resonates with my own life experiences.”
Chris McVeigh, managing partner, financial planning for the North West and Northern Ireland, at Evelyn Partners, said: “Robert is a an extremely experienced and trusted pair of hands. His leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow our presence in the North West and his commitment to adviser development and client services makes him an excellent fit for the firm.”
Robert said: “After more than three decades in the industry, the opportunity to join Evelyn Partners was simply too good to pass up. I’m looking forward to leading the financial planning team in Knutsford and have already received fantastic support from colleague. It’s clear there is a strong culture of collaboration here.”
