Abrdn has appointed Sarah Devas as its new head of Financial Planning.

She was formerly managing director of client relationship and wealth advice at Schroders Personal Wealth (SPW).

At SPW she was responsible for the personal wealth advice team and a member of the executive committee.

She was part of the team to launch SPW, the join Financial Planning venture between Schroders and Lloyds Banking Group, in 2019, when she led the transfer of 450 staff from Lloyds to create the SPW advice team.

She will report directly to Abrdn CEO Caroline Connellan and will be responsible to leading the Financial Planning business for the asset management firm.

Abrdn rebranded its 1825 arm as Abrdn Financial Planning in the summer.

Ms Deaves was formerly UK wealth director at Lloyds Banking Group and managing director of private banking and advice at RBS.

Between 2002 and 2009 she was the first female CEO of UK private bank Coutts.

Abrdn said Ms Deaves would also work closely with new head of digital solutions Paul Titterton to look at how technology can improve the firm’s Financial Planning offering.

Abrdn recently confirmed plans to buy direct to consumer financial platform Interative Investor for £1.49bn. 

The takeover opens the door to Abrdn to potentially begin offering Financial Planning and other wealth services to Interactive Investor’s 400,000 customers.