Mr Knowlton joins Attivo from AFH Wealth Management where he held the role of chief operating officer. Previous positions include roles at Openwork, Macquarie Bank and AXA UK.

He has a track record of leading complex business transformations as well as heading multi-disciplined teams. Attivo says he will play a pivotal role in steering Attivo’s technological innovation and strategic growth.

Mr Knowlton said: “The team at Attivo, is hugely ambitious and passionate about using technology to transform the way we serve clients more efficiently and innovatively whilst retaining our close and highly valued Financial Planner client relationships. There’s a real opportunity to reshape the UK’s financial advice landscape. Joining the team at this juncture is pivotal to taking Attivo through its next phase of growth and I’m looking forward to using my experience to help drive the business, and the industry, forward.”

Ms Watson re-joins Attivo from Sound Financial Management where she was head of investment and compliance. She previously spent four years with the firm.

She has more than 17 years’ experience in the industry and a proven record of creating, redesigning and managing financial services businesses including investments, financial advice and compliance by successfully embedding new cultures, increasing productivity and profitability and creating value within regulatory frameworks.

Ms Watson will be looking to further develop Attivo’s investment proposition to deliver enhanced value for clients. This includes creating investment solutions designed specifically to meet the requirements of diverse client segments while also strategically reducing the cost of investment offerings.

She said: “Having previously spent four years at Attivo, it’s incredibly exciting to be back. The passion and energy of the team is unparalleled, and so too is the opportunity for the business. With the focus on transforming how advice is provided in the UK, Stephen has built a hugely experienced team and I’m excited to be part of such an ambitious company.”

Stephen Harper, chairman at Attivo, said expanding the board of directors highlighted the firm's ambitious plans for growth.

Attivo is a Chartered Financial Planning firm with a focus on lifestyle planning. It has acquired over 40 Financial Planning businesses since launch in 2005. The firm is headquartered in Cheltenham, with offices in London, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Darlington and Portsmouth.