City of London-based Financial Planning firm Helm Godfrey has hired sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) expert John Ditchfield as its new head of responsible investment.

Mr Ditchfield will lead Helm Godfrey's plans to develop “products, services and expertise” in responsible investment, the company says.

The company says it already has a significant allocation to sustainable funds, with £45m of assets under advice currently subject to an ethical or sustainable mandate. It aims to grow this. It is also aiming to boost its research process and support for other financial advisers.  

Mr Ditchfield is co-chairman of the Ethical Investment Association, the UK networking organisation for advisers active in SRI. He is also a former director of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association, a member of the Social Stock Exchange admissions panel and a specialist in sustainable finance.

He was a director of advice firm Barchester Green Investment, which was sold to Castlefield Partners. 

Graham Cross, chief executive at Helm Godfrey, said: “Appointing a highly-regarded expert like John is a clear demonstration of Helm Godfrey’s ambition to develop a leading responsible investment offering and is a broader reflection of client demand for sustainable investment solutions.”

Mr Ditchfield said: “I am hugely excited to be joining Helm Godfrey. From baby boomers to millennials the interest in, and demand for, responsible investment is escalating fast.

“I will be working hard to combine my insights on responsible investment with the established expertise at Helm Godfrey. It’s an exciting combination and we believe we can develop a financial advisory offer at the forefront of the sustainable investment field.”

Helm Godfrey, established 20 years ago, provides holistic, independent advice on wealth management, employee benefits, Financial Planning for businesses and individuals as well as investment management services.